The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1859-07-22
Democratic Misrepresentation

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From one end Of this State to the other,
Gov. Harris, and all the candidates for
Congress, on the same side in politics,
feeling that the load Of extravagance and
corruption attached to Buchanans Adj
ministration is weighing them down, seek
tothrow odium upon their political oppo-
nents, by making statements at war with
the records ofthe Government, tile histo-
ryof the country, and the truth. And
when the reverse Of what they charge, Is
shown from the official documents Of tho
Government, they still persist in their
charges. tt
Those who have heard these men. from
the Governor down, VIII remember tliat
the extension of the Capitol at Washing
ton, was commenced by tho Fillmore Ad-
ministration, and that the present Archi-
tect, who is identified with these enor-
nous expenses, was appointed by Fill
more. An able and elaborate article in
Nashville campaign paper, called the
Opposition. which we presume to have
been prepared by Gen. zollicoifer, sets
this matter in differently and there
fore we give its substance. Let the facts
be read, digested, and handed round.
The facts are that the extension pro-
ject, appropriating 100000 originated
with Hon. jeff. Davis, then Democratic
U. s. Senator, and was offered as an
amendment to the Civil and Diplomatic
Bill. That bill had previously passed the
House. This amendment was disagreed
to by the House, and Committee Of Con-
ference, of which G.. w. Jones of Ten
nessee was a member, offered a substitute,
which was agreed TO by. the House and
Senate, both Democratic
This amendment, as reported by this
Committee of Conference, was not part
of the Civil and Diplomatic Bill, against
which Gov. Harris voted, when he so yo-
ted, and therefore, notwithstanding he
claims credit for the act, the records
don't show that he ever, by word or deed,
opposed the Inauguration of the Capitol
extension.
As TO Mr.. Harry statement that the
architect" now in charge was appointed
by Mr.. Fillmore, it is equally inaccurate.
The bill provided that Mr.. Fillmore
should appoint the architect, and the
work should be in charge of Committee
of Congress. Mr.. Fillmore appointed
Thos. U. Walter, of Philadelphia. That
gentleman made an estimate of improve.
ments upon an economical plan, and re-
ported that it would cost $3.50 600 Up
to the expiration of Mr.. Fillmore's term,
not quite l 100000 had been appropriated
Mr. Pierce then took it in hand. lie
turned out Mr.. Walter in month, and
appointed Mr.. Meigs the present "repre-
sentative of the prodigality of the Fill.
more Administration" as Gov. Harris
calls him. Hon. jefferson Davis, the
author of the extension bill, was then
Secretary of war, and he commended Mr.
Meigs in the most hattering terms. Now
came notifications and changes of the
original economical plan, avowedly fol
the purpose of increasing the architectu
ral effect" extending even to changes in
the foundation walls Among other
changes was a new dome for which $780,
900 have already been expended, and
which it is estimated will cost Deer mil
ION
Upon this "higher style of finish" and
superior architectural effect" according
to Gov. Harris S4695.000 have already
been expended But he says it was com
menced by Fillmore and continued by
Fillmore's engineer. The records say
that it was commenced by a Democrats
Congress, and placed by Mr.. Fillmore il
the hands of an economical engineer
that Pierce removed him and appointed
one who has more than doubled his es
Inmates, but who has been steadily EN-
dorsed by Democratic Administration
Gov. Harris falls into similar issue o
mis-statements in regard to the Washing
ton Water Works, which he characterize
as another item of extravaganza" which
originated with the Fillmore Administra
tion--that it spassed the House in tn
same bill with the Capital extension pro
ject"-that ''there were sixty-two mem
bers who voted against it, all of whom
were Democrats but three, and that
was supported by every Opposition mem
Der but three"
The facts are that the measure origina
ted in the shape of provision for pre-
liminary surveys in Democratic Senate, a
the hands of Senator Mason, Democrat
Senator from Virginia, who offered it a
an amendment to the Civil and Diplomat
ic Bill. 1t passed the Senate and wa
concurred in by the House without OF
position and without call OF tn
roll. -
In 1851, one year after the above action
which only appropriated $500 to pay tn
expenses Of this survey, that sum bein
found insuificients Gov. Harris voted +
appropriate 5000 TO continue the survey
with view of erecting these waite
works.
The work having originated in Dem
cratic Congress, at the hands of o DeH0cra
&c Senator, has been all he haae (except j
the mater of carrying out the order for
survey, which was made the duty of Nj
Fillmore) in Democratic hands, And we
Gov. Harris charges that Fillmore's At
ministrption is responsible for the e1
penditure of 81, 405, 900 for water works {
Washington Cityl -.3s
These facts are deliberately set forth i
the last number of the Opposition, an
the references given. The editor cha
lenges denial. They certainly to sd
the least, place Gov. Harris in very III
enviable position.
AN AUSTRIAN DETACHMENT TAKEN Pr
oNERs BY RAILWAY ESGISEER.-Amon
the many lighter passages of the war wit
which the Parisians ainuse themselve
we find in the Sport the story of the ca
ture Of detachment of Austrians WI