The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-05-31

Oh the above named gentlemen. lie Ii
neither an oiilco,holder nor Office seeker,
but his time Il moro occupied In the prac-
tice OF his profession, 1.-THE law) building
railroads, and otherwise aiding materially
in the developuiAht Of his State. He was
no debut the. most suitable person that
could have boon chosen to deliver the adj
dress Of welcome.
Quoting from your issue OF the 26th
inst, you say: 1--WE have TO remind Capt.
Hardy that the facts OF Gov. Lowry's
administration do not sustain his posi-
ton. Nearlyallof the existing debt of
the State, amopphng to almost = 900, 900,
has been made.and the school lands lost
during Gov Lbwry's administration.
And in another paragraph: "Pity that it
was marred (the address Of Capt Hardy
| by word in defense OF an administration
that before this year has passed away will
he execrated by the people Of that State"
Governor done? Has any one ever ac-
cused him OF appropriating one dime of
the peoples money TO his own use? One
would suppose from reading the above
charges that Gov. Lowry was guilty OF all
the crimes known in the catalogue.
That the State debt has been increased
under Gov. Lowry's administration no one
will gainsay. And is IL not reasonable to
suppose that increased appropriations and
| a reduction OF taxation would increase the
debt OF any State2 Look though, II you
| please, what the State has TO show for il
in the way Of public institutions which it
has erected. But does the Governor, OF
the Legislature, make appropriations? Is
| it the Governor who reduces or raises the
tax levy, or Is II the Legislature? Gov.
Lowry, in his biennial message TO the Leg
isature, session OF 1856, in speaking OF the
| financial condition OF the State, admon-
ishes the Legislature in these words: 81
have no doubt but that these reports
| speaking OF the Auditors and Treasurer's
reports) will show considerable increase
in the State debt. This will not be
surprising when the fact is re-
called that the Legislature OF 1852
increased the common school fund
by 100000, and decreased the
rate Of taxation from TO "a mills, which
Is equal to $4,000 per annum. II will be
seen that these two items make differ
ence OF $500, 900 in four years" He then
proceeds to warn the Legislature against
making appropriations in excess OF the
revenues. And yet he is charged with
what? With running the State in debit
'Thc lands were lost" How were they
LOST Did the Governor combine with GER
tain evil disposed persons and delraud the
State of its lands? No, he did no such
thing; but, on the contrary, when he went
into office the price Of the swamp lands
held by the State was fixed at the small
sum OF 20 cents per acre, and during tho
| years 1880 and 1881, or the last two years
OF Gov. Stones administration, there was
quite demand for this public domain
the first in fact that had ever been since it
WINS placed ON the market, and great deal
Of il was purchased at the price then asked.
At that time II was regarded rs good
stroke Of policy on the part OF Gov. Stone
10 get up demand for these lands, even
ut the low prices Fixed by law, In order to
place them on the assessment rolls, and
thereby make them a source OF revenue to
| the State instead Of an expense. After
Gov. Lowry became Governor the demand
increased, and the wriler, in his official
capacity, had prepared, rs the law directs,
patents TO quite large list Of these lands,
and carried them in 10 Gov. Lowry for
his signature. Extraordinarily refused to
sign them, assigning rs a reason that they
were worth more than - cents per acre;
that he would direct the land commits
sioner 10 withdrnw 1hcm from the market
until the Lcglslairc should meet. when
he would recommend an increase OF
price. The lanlswcrc Withdrawn, and the
Legislature, acting ppon the advice Of the
Governor, passed. an act creating n COM
mission composcb of the Governor. At
torncy-General and Secretary Of State who
were authorized 10 fix the price ut not less
that 30 cents per acre. The commission
met and raised the price 20 81 per acre
and there was no Abatement in the de-
mand. Wherein then has Gov. Lowry
squandered the public domain.
In mentioning the fact that Gov. Lowry
made the recommendation aforesaid there
Is no intention Of rejecting In the slightest
upon Gov. stone, for II he had remained
Governor believe, with the increased de-
mand for said lands lac would have made
a similar recommendation. Gov. Stones
administration has left an impress upon
the people OF our State that IL would be
well for future Governors 10 initiate.
would have preferred thai an ADLER pen
than mine should have been welded in
behalf OF this subject, but, being CONVEX
sant with the facts. ! write this plain
statement from sense Of duty. | simply
wish to see justice done.
llENRY G. MYERs.