Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-03-08

A clear, Definite Policy Adopted
by the Democracy of shelby.

Notwithstanding the inclemency Of
the weather, the Criminal Court room
was we'll filled last night by a very in
telligent and thoughtful class of citi-
gems, in response to the call Of the
chairmen representing the high and
low Executive Committees of Shelby
county. Quite u number of oiti.
zens from the country districts were
present.
Esquires James Coleman and Smith
took seats on the platform, and the
former called the meeting to order.
On motion of Hon. G. b. Peters,
Mr.. Henry j. Lynn was called to the
chair, and afterward the members of
the press present on duty from the
Appeal and Avalanche we're elected
honorary secretaries. They accepted
of course. Mr.. Lynn made a very
neat, conservative and sensible speech,
eounSelling harmony and definite
action.
General Gordon moved that a Com
mittee OF ten be appointed on %resolu-
tons, TO report back ii possible to the
meeting Carried.
The Chair appointed the following
Committee; General G. w. Gordon,
James Phelan, z. Nj. Winters, j. j.
DuRoSe, r. c. Williamson, |. H..
Douglass, George CAN'T, Minor Meri-
wether, IL. Il, Priddy and j. Harvey
MatheS.
The committee withdrew, and
during its absence Mr.. Peters was
called for and made an excellent
speech favoring a compromise and
settlement Of the State debt by and
within the Democratic party. After
an absence of half an hour the COM
mittee returned and reported through
General Gordon the following
RESOLUTIONS.
Whereas, We recognize a great
variety of opinions among the people
of the State as to what would be a Just
and proper basis on which to adjust
and settle the public debt of the State,
we think it would be wise and pa
triotic for those favoring the highest
figures and those favoring the lowest
to make mutual concessions and COM
promises, and agree upon a common
basis for an equitable adjustment.
And, therefore, speaking for ourselves
as one of the communities of the State
be it
Resolved by the Democrats of
Shelby county in convention assem-
bled, That in view of all the circum-
stances, conditions and misfortunes
that have afflicted the State for the
last twenty years, the vast destruction
Of property and the general ruin en-
tailed on the State by the late war, the
impoverished condition of the people
resulting therefrom and their conse-
quent impaired ability to pay, the
shrinkage in values of nearly every
species of property, and the reduced
prices at which the bonds of the
State have been purchased and the
equities in the case, we favor an ad-
justment and settlement of the public
debt on a basis of fifty cents on the
dollar and interest at the rate of three
per cent per annum; and it shall be
our unalterable determination to
stand by and execute such settlement
in the utmost good faith.
Resolved, That we cordially invite
the Democrats of every county in the
State, irrespective of their peculiar
views, to cooperate with us in this
movement; and with this view we
respectfully aud earnestly recommend
to the State Executive Committees of
both wings of the party to issue a call
Immediately for an election of dele
gates in the various counties of the
State on the first Monday in June, to
attend a State Democratic Convention
to be held at the capitol, in Nashville,
on Thursday, the 18th Of June, 1882,
for the purpose Of considering the
State debt, reuDiting the Democratic
party, adopting a platform of princi-
Piles and policies, and nominating a
candidate for Governor, appointing a
State Executive Committee, and for
the transaction of such other business
as may be deemed expedient by the
convention.
Resolved, That a basis for the set
Element Of the State debt should be
fixed by said Gubernatorial Oouven-
ton and embodied in its platform then
adopted, and submitted for the consid.
Grafton of the people as an organic part
of said platform.
Resolved, That representing at this
meeting the reunited Democracy oil
Shelby county, we advocate this policy
i'll the interest of the general welfare
and to the end that a final settlement
of the debt may be effected, Demo.
cratic unity secured and Democratic
supremacy restored.
General Gordon supported the reso.
%lutions in an able speech and was fol-
lowed by Colonel George CAN'T, Mr.
james Phelan, Major Minor Merri.
wether, james Harris, Esq, Judge p
NJ. Winters and others. All were il
good temper, indicating a desire tC
compromise differences of opinion
upon a reasonable basis, and to put int
practical effect a settlement Of tn,
State debt.
The resolutions above we're fnally
adOpted unanimously.
A letter was read from Esquire B
10. Bledsoe, Of Collierville, a membe.
of the Low Tax State Executive Com
mittee, in which he said:
yet in the spirit of concession ant
compromise should the called conven
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