Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-01-23
Interview vim Col. Patterson.


"Well, colonel, 1 have called to see il You
have anything 10 cay in reference 10 the
proposed settlement of the CITY debit"
"That is question that 1 dop't care TO
discuss, further than TO repeat the declara-
ton made by me at the beginning of the
late canvass, to the effect that, personally,
am sincerely desirou. to bring about a settle
Element that will be Just and satisfactory to
all parties. feel authorized in saying that
the entire Shelby county delegation
are in accord on this subject, and would CO.
operate in bringing about any settlement
that our constituents ard the bondholders
might agree upon. l recognize to the fullest
extent the duly of the representative to
obey instructions and to voice the will Of his
people, and if he should fnd himself differ
ing with his people on a matter OF principle
then there is but one course left open for
him to take, and that is 10 resign his trust
and let the people select some one
who will represent them. Now, the
coupon feature in the proposed set
Element is obnoxious TO me and vio-
lative OF a fundamental principle. This
was the identical question involved in the
one-hundred. snd-tbree case, and if there lie
any one question better settled than all
others in the courts and al the ballot box, it
is that public creditors should not have a
prior mortgage or lien on the public reve-
, nues 10 the exclusion Of higher claims,
which involve the very existence of
society. The public health, the sup
preston OF crime, the protection OF
community from the ravages of fire, the
furnishing of lights and the construction Of
streets and sidewalks, all belong to the class
of prime necessities, and are superior in OBJ.
legation TO any public debt. With the con-
vicfions have on this subjec,, cannot see
IL =
under any circumstances. lu my judgment
the present General Assembly would mol pass
such a law though the entire delegation
favored it. II the creditors could see this
N after as LIDO they would trust the people
and attempt no coercive measures. To do SO
creates q feeling of resentment, and breeds
distrust and want OF confidence. As
/ have said repeatedly, coerciye meas
ures always destroy the ssuctity OF
public debt, and / would infinitely pre-
fer TO hold a debt the obligation of
which was sustained by the public con-
scieuce than 10 hold debt the security Of
which depended upon pledge OF he public
revenues. l believe in the honesty OF the
people and look upon the Indebtedness of
the city as the result of bad government and
unowsrd misforiunes. believe any settle
ment of the debt that may be made will be
carried out faithfully by them. l do hope
that mutual confidence and not mutual mis-
trust will prevail between the people and
the creditors. Mufusf confidence means good
faith, fair setiles,ent and rigid compliance.
Mutual distrust means litigation, a failure to
settle and further legislation in the interest
of the CITY,"
"Are your delegation in accord on this
subiectW
ave are. II has been freely discussed,
Nd ~ = inc 7
am not aware CT it. Senator Galloway is
more pronounced in his opinions than any
ct us. l desire TO add, in this connection,
that the FIVE Democrats from Shelby are on
the best of terms; we meet often in confer
encej we defer to each other; and while we
sometimes d fer about measures we always
agree if we can. Each of Us is more familiar
than the others on some matters OF legisla-
tion, and by deferring to one another on those
matters We get along smoothly, and will be
good friends though we may make some bad
laws"
"Have you anything TO say in reference to
the Polk defalcation that has not appeared
in the public prints?"
Nothing, except that DR.. Porter, as chair
man OF The joint committee, has done mere
than any man in The State TO bring il 10
light. He threw himself into the work with
whole heartiness that has astonished every
body, and went TO the bottom before others
realized the situation of sff4irs."
swell, colonel, suppose you feel grati6ed
at the result OF the senatorial racep
"Certainly do. However, never thought
the result doubtful. Senator Harris has a
wonderful hold on the confidence and the
affections OF the people of Tennessee, and
never suffered myself to doubt his return TO the
Senate. 1t was a foregone conclusion after
the November election. Apprehensions on
his account grew more out of the anxiety OF
friends than any real obstacles in his way"