The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1886-12-23

We have frequently thought that
the Democratic administrations in this
State for the last four years have not
received that attention at the hands
OF the Democratic press of the State,
or of the Democratic candidates for
Governor and members OF the Ligisla-
ture, to which they are Justly entitled. |
The administration of our State affairs
under Gov. Bate, and his able assist
ants at the Capitol, has been able and
honest, and entirely satisfactory to the
people Of Tennessee. The fact is, that
the affairs of no State in the Union
have been better managed, at any
time, than have ours during the last
four years. 1t has been economical,
and in perfect harmony with the will
of the governed. The circumstances
which surrounded Gov. Bate when he
was first inaugurated Governor OF
Tennessee, were peculiarly embarrass-
ing. He, and majority of the Legis-
lature, had been elected upon a plat
form which provided that the State
debt proper should be paid in full, and
that the bonds issued in aid Of railroads
should be settled at fifty cents on the
dollar, the new bonds to bear three per
cent. interest. The Supreme Court of
Tennessee, and OF the United States,
had both decided that the Torbett is
sue OF the Bank of Tennessee was a
legal liability upon the State, and
that it was receivable for taxes. No
one had any definite idea as to the
amount Of Torbett issue outstanding.
The official reports showed that the
accommodations for the insane were
not sufficient for more than one-third
of the number OF that unfortunate
class in our State, many of whom were
languishing in the jails and poor
houses in the different counties, and
it was evidently the duty of the Legis-
lature to provide additional accommo-
dations for them. The appropriations
made by the Legislature under Mr..
Hawkins, had in several instances,
proven insufficient, and the Legisla-
ture then in session was expected to
, make up the defcits-one of $4,000
for the Insane Asylum at Nashville,
} which we remember well, and the
/ Treasury was nearly empty. True to
their pledges, and under the recon.
. mendation OF Gov. Bate, the Legisla
5 ture passed the sos bill, made provis
| ion for the payment Of the Torbett is
: sue, appropriated $4,000 for the cree
9 ton of an Insane Asylum for East
g Tennessee, and in addition to the reg
. ular appropriations, provided for tn,
: deficits during the administration O
e Mr.. Hawkins. Since that time two o
a the ablest Republicans in Tennessee
: have canvassed the State for Govern
8 or, as the nominees OF that party, Blu
}, neither Of them could utter one wore
s against the administration OF Gov
a Bate, which goes to show that nothing
had been done by the Democrats which
could be complained of. No STAT
:. was eyer blessed with more economi
v cal, and purer administrations. Will
v a tax OF thirty cents on the dollar
, worth Of taxable property, the curren
~ expenses of the State Government
> the interest upon the State debt an,
ID the school fund has been paid. Thi
q much may be properly styled the cul
q rent, or ordinary expenses OF the Stat
y Government. In addition to this the
;. have paid off and retired about 5000
,. 600 OF Torbett issue certificates abou
l. $500, 900, of back interest upon tn
e State bonds, about 100000, for tn
d erection of the Insane Asylum TO
n East Tennessee, about $4,000, for tn
f. Asylum fer West Tennessee, 10000
.. in retiring the mineral home bonds
q about $50, 900, for new codes for tn
a. State and County officials, includin
,r Justice of the Peace, and $4,000 fo
" the New Orleans Exposition. Thes
81 are extraordinary expenses, an
d amount to $1,150,000, besides the d.
/" ficits which came over from the laG
Republican administration. This
d an excellent showing for Gov Bate an
his aids.
D. Two years more will see the last {
ic the Torbett issue certificates paid OF
when, if there is no increase in the e,
penses, the State viii have about $3.50
=. 600 surplus each year, which will
applied to the extinguishment OF tn
State debt proper, and that can be pal
d off in about four years. About 500
q 600, 900 Of the railroad bonds have bee
I, = funded and the probabilities are tbs
a about $4,000 remain to be funded.
20 All charges against the State hay
'r been promptly met, and that 10,
: without borrowing any money as til
% State authorities were authorized |
d do by the Legislature in 1886, and
Y. thn nollnnin 20 nf ,nunxnuo mill hn IL.