Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-07-10

ing, with Park Marshall, secretary, and
A. c. WEIGH. assistant secretary. The com
mittee on resolutions cansisted OF the 1oi-
lowing members: State-at-large, Represen-
tative w. P. BrownloWi east Tennessee
Representative Henry r. Gibson and w. A
Henderson: middle TenHessee,s Representa-
tive Benton McMillin and John v Wright;
Representative Z. w. Cafmack.
The following resolutions were adopted
Whereas we have heard With the pro-
foundest sorrow of the, death Of Senator
Isham G. Harris, >.
Resolved That the nation has lost pure
patriot and constitutional free government
one of it's stanchest and bravest defenders;
that his state has lost q public servant
whose services stretched over half CEN
tury and was characterized throughout by
answering fidelity. unremittfng watchful-
ness and great ability; that the south loses
in him one of it's old-tine statesmen OF m
corruptible character, unsullled honor ana
Hottest conception Of duty, whose lives
have embellshed her history and made
glorious the record of a century.
Resolved, That the high character, patriot
ism and long record of public service con-
stitute rich heritage for Tennesseeans
and furnish inspiration to her humbiest
sons to aspire to highest station, ana tnat
the memory of his virtues and patriotic
services will endure as a monument In the
minds and hearts of the people who loved
and honored him. :.
Resolved, That the secretary furnish a
CODY of these resolutions to the family OF
the deceased senator.
How He Saved the School Funds.
One of the most striking episodes in the
life Of Senator Harris was his taking pos
session of 100000 in gold belonging to the
school fund of Tennessee. Many stories
have been told about this incident, but the
following account was related by Senator
Harris when he was chairman of the Dis
ri Mr. ChaS Moore. the
present clerk of tho committee.
Senator Harris said that in 1862 when
Nashville was about to fall into the hands
of the federal troops. the state bank OF
Tennessee h.,d in it's vaults something
more than 100000 in gold and silver coin.
beside valuable securities. Two private
banks. the Union and Planters also held
considerable amounts of money. Senator
Harris, at that time governor of Tennessee,
was determined that this money should not
fall into the haEds Of the enemy. He per-
suaded the officers of the state bank which
acted as the fiscal agent Of the state. to
remove the banks assets to a point of
sefety within the confederate lines. The
omcers OF the private banks. however,
were unwilling to make the change and
the governors arguments were unavailing.
tie thereupon returned to his office and
sent to each bank note in which he said
something like this:
NO doubt you can manage the affairs of
your bank better than can, and 1 do not
desire to undertake the conduct of your
business However, I desire to inform you
tnat Unless you give me your assurance
that within three hours that you will re-
move your cash and securities to point
OF safety within the confederate lines, l
shall be under the necessity of appointing
receiver to take Immediate possession OF
your bank, and such receiver will be &C
companied by file Of soldiers to enforce
his orders"
Before the three hours had expired
hn
Two private banks. The governor Joined
the STAN OF the commanding general of the
confederate army as volunteer aid. He
obtained sufficient guard of soldiers to
protect the bank moneys and he moved the
assets from one place to another He
formed the habit of going each week to the
place where the bank was temporarily To-
Gated and personally counting the cash
In time. he said he became familiar with
every bag of coin and its contents. One
day the cashier OF the bank appeared at
headquarters with the news that an agent
OF the confederate treasury was at the
place where the bank was thea located with
orders to seize the 100000 for the military
uses OF the confederate, government. Gov
ernor Harris obtained 2 telegraphic order
Tor the agent to suspend operations tenn
porarily. He then toolel the next train for
Jefferson Davis. H.
Ha a Se M Of the the
financial necessities of ehe confederate gov
eminent and would freely give all of his
own personal property TO the government
That 100000 however. belonged to the
school fund of the state of Tennessee, ana
he did not propose to have one cent Of 1t
touched II he could help 1t, AS an outcome
of this vigor Gus stand on the part of Gov
ernor Harris. President Davis directed that
the state fund should not be disturbed.
After the surrender Govern Harris went
to the Union general in command and OBJ
tanned safe conduct and an escort for the
conveyance of the money from Griffin, Ga.
back to Nashville. The money was taken
to the state capital and deposited in
committee room, a receipt being given for
the amount. The bags and kegs were
broken open and the money lay in heaps on
the floor under guard of a file Of soldiers
until the legislative committee counted the
cash ten days later. "A remarkably small
shortage was found. considering the cir
cumstances during the ten days the money
was lying loose on the floor.
The so-called legislature which was ap-
pointed after Governor Harris retirement
and under the reorganization of the state,
invested tie money in bonds and turned
them over to man from Boston. In the