STATE LEGfsEATURE.

OF MIR. JEFFREYS
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'.--t.' z" - .F.'' OF FRANKLIN, 80


In the Senate Of North Carolina, on Tuesday and
i Wednesday, Dc. 81, 1914, and JAM l, T845


ON the Resolutions of Mr.. FRANCIS Of tIay.


wood, &c: calling on the General Goyernmc6,
4 for the Fourth lnstaimeni. :" 77k+9'


Mr., SPEAKER: I am reluctant. TO obtrude nv.
sell on the time and patience of the Senate. hat


Sir, as one of the peoples representatives on this


hoor, cannot be insensible TO the fact that have


a pubic duty to perform here; and, if were to
remain IA my seat and cast silent vote upon a
tquesuons OF so much importance and ma aentude as
me one now under consideration by the Senate,
could not, in good fahh hold myself excusable


before my constituents in so doing feel thai. |
owe It 10 myself and those represent 10 make


to-the Senate and TO, the country a concise state


ment ofthe reasons which will influence nv action.


on Inc Resolutions submitted by the Senator from


Haywood Mr.. Francisl ~s.f' ..,g :. ..,s


have dellberated on this subject most an xious-


lly-anxiously, Mr.. Speaker, because am exceed


ln9ly desIrous to relieve the Public Treasury from
1 the extraordinary embarrassment under which it


now Iabors; have viewed this matter in everv
] light which the limited time and means of invrs-
tIgation have had would enable me 10 do: and


am constrained TO arrive at the conclusion. that
Inc policy indicated by the resolution on your


!aoe IS not the true democratic policy and there
fore ought not to prevail am PREPARED to give


my cordial and sincere support 10 any wise and


patilotlc measure which Senators may devise for
the relief OF the Public Treasury; but am not
pre- pared to give my sanction to this pIan because


believe tito be neither wise nor patriotic. but on


the contrary palpahly and srikingy deficient in in
each, absurd, dangerous in the extreme, full OF


doubt and uncertainty, and pre-emincntly hazard.
ouS-a plan which involves a gross and wanton


sacrifice OF the fundamental principles of eur gov
eminent, and an unnecessary augmentation of the
lalready overgrown burdens of the people Of this
great and growing country.
am aware, MIR. Speaker, that this surplus fund,
as gentlemen are pleased to denominate it. Though


am at tota! loss TO conceive by what process of
reasoning the existence of such fund is demon.
strated constitutes dazzling prizein the estima.
t!on OF some persons; and 1 am likewise aware
mat mere are mony who pursue it with avidity.


But, Sir, am not of that number; ii has no
charms for my eye: l am blind to the allure
ments and deaf to the calls, which would tempt
me into desertfon of those high and holv princ


pies OF political action which have deliberately
adopted, which believe to be the genuine priinc,
pies OF my country and my country's liberty. and
by which am prepared to stand through good
and through evil report.


The proceeds of the sales ofthe public domain,
and the moneys arising from duties on imports
were designed by the father, of our Government
10 go into the national Treasury, to be used bv


A1OVSf0.
ment in providing for the common defence and in |
promoting the general welfare There, |, for one.
am disposed 10 leave it. would not sce this fund
diverted from The accomplishment of purposes so
noble, extensive, and IastIngiy beneficial in their
eonsequences,tebe profusey squandered in largess-
es and benetactous to the States. Rather than
see one cent of the national revenue taken from the
National Treasury and used for State concernment
10 pay the debts of an insolvent corporation. as,
umed IncentraVention ofthe peoples 4otp-I would
see the lhole9 millions east into the bottomles,
abyss whence it came never to be regurgitated


Establish this distribution system. make il the
policy ofthe country-and what will
be the inevitable ultimate effectf What but to.
al destruction OF State rights, gradual absorption
Of State sovereignty, and the consolidation of all
power in the hands. of the General Government,
Thus accomplishing, by indirection, what the
lid federal party and the present seIfstyIed whiq
'arty so long and so zealously labored, but in
Eain directlyto perform.


This resolution to request mot instruct a,word
greatly to be preferred) the Senators and Repre-
enativFs in Congress FROM this State to use their
Utmost exertions to obtain the passage of an Act =
/ Congressfor the speedy payment of the fouth !
nsta almenr, is preceded by long and labored !,
reambte setting forlhthe facts that in June 1886.
congress passed an Act to regulate the deposites I
the public money, pursuant to the provisions =
"licn ACT tnree fnstaimens OF. the Surplus /.
revenue were deposited withthe States that the J.
ayment of the remaining fourth iRstalrnent was "
ostponed, and has never yet been paid; that the
ublic Treasurer Of this State has borrowed oil
lie Literary and Internal Improvement funds, The
I'M of S7O,954 81 during the past fiscal year, ia
rder TO meet demands made on the Treasury ofthe
tate and also, that the further sum of S250660l
0 must be provided before the meeting of the
ext General Assembly, in order TO meet Iiabiii-
es beyond the usual expenditures for State pur.
oses; that it appears by the Message ofthe Pres.
ent of the United States to both Houses of Conf
ress, at their present session, that there will be


the Treasury of theiU S. at the end ofthe pres
1t fiscal year surplus, beyond the current de-
ands, of more than seven millions of doIars;t
I'd, consequently it appears that the necessities
the Government of the United States do not re-
lire further postpohernent ofthe deposte Of the
id 4th instalment, the immedi0tc payment of it
htch IS necessGrg SO far this State IS concern qu
!, to meet extraordinary demands ~pOn her Req ha
ue acitkout recourse 10 additional 1a1es upoH ed
n people, :, !. .:. Eth
Thus it is formally set forth, heralded to. the M
orld, that the Treasury of North Carolina is ex l.
lusted, drained of its funds, and without the il
to meet its ordinary iabiIhiesI And this is un
e astounding admission, of, a prominent whig to
ember efthis whIg Assembly, as to the financial
ndition of State which, but a few wears 90
ice, enjoyed the proud and enviab1e DISTINCTION 20
not finding her name on the list of indebted 4!
State whosec redit was never doubted Is
hose unsullied puritv yvas never reproachnd andI