Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1866-1869, 1867-07-24
Che gnp1rille Mhie
Knoxville, Tenn. July "a, 1867.
Proclamation nv the GOTern0r.


WHEREAS, An incerdisTy document has been IS
sued at Nashville, by the partizeu Chairman Of
Political COMMITTEE in he following words i0-"i'
TO THE couETr COUNTS or Tue STATE
Do not fail 20 appoint judges in allthe Preclhg,ss
at your July term This is required 70 % uo,,o
the County Courts Of each county, =. = tbo a
next proceeding The election day g9v ~ Z ~ Z
d,v Of A,ls,ist next Code, sec 81, ~ ~
not changed on that subject. II this - Hes
AS the law is amended in the iast -
10 mage 81 the power devoFes upon 1no ~
sror 81 1,sristrstion Some have erroneousy sup
l'1uei -. ~. oycr has been taken from the COun
pOsSu ma 81 ~, sct Il viii be seen the Commit
= a,yytborized to appoint IN cases when tho
Liqr D., the existing law could DO so, and that was
~, 70 case the County Court failed 10 attend 70
Uh3 -. ~ tbe persons they appointed failed to
ena' g. code sec 642. Whatever may have been
49, he act Of the 25th of February. 1861,
ieJ with said sections Of the Code admits of
,,o other oonstruction-it is certainly plain-too
Lain for controversy.
Rv order Of the Central Committee ngFHta
JONI G. GAUT, Chairman.
And Whereas this seditious circular recommends
the notification Of the Franchise Law. which i
now part Of the Constitution of Tennessee, and
has been approved by the Supreme Court and
Whereas false and rebelous construction has been
given 70 the law above named, BY the audacsSls su-
thors Of the aforesaid reasonable eircular evidently
for wicked and revolutionary purposes; and Vhsre-
as the Judges and Clerks Of ali elections in the
State are 10 be appointed by the Commissioner Of
Registration IN each county the tenth section OF
the Franchise Law provides, in the following clear
and explicit words, to-wit
SEC. 10. BE Il further enacted, That in case aoy
County Court shall fail refuse to nduct into Of
fee any Of the officers elected under this Act Ii
shall be lawful for the Commissioner Of Registra-
ton, upon orders from the Governor TO perform
that duty, and 70 administer all necessary oaths and
10 take and approve all necessary official bonds and
the same shall be good and valid in law. The
judges and clerks Of all elections shall hereafter be
selected and appointed by the Commissioner OF Req
stration, in each county, in the same manner and
governed by the same rules and laws heretofore pro
vided by law, comforting the said selection and ap
pointments by Sheriff..
Nov, therefore, I, WILLIAM G. Blows tow
Governor of the State Of Tennessee, by virtue o,
the authority conferred upon me, and in discharge
Of the duties imposed upon me bv law do hereby
give notice that the Franchise Law was clearly
and PROFESSIONALLY framed so as 10 take the an
pointment Of judges and clerks Of election from
the County Courts and Sherffs giving the same 10
the Commissioners Of Registration; therefore, the
election returns made by said Commissioners will
alone be recognized at the State Department /
warn all County Courts in the State not to act upon
the advice Of this committee Of seiitionsts they
will lay themselves liable to be punished and l
warn all judges and clerks Of elections whom they
may appoint not 20 attempt 10 serve AS they would
come in conflict with the lawfully constituted Judges
and clerks Of election And If it be the purpose Of
any portion Of our people 20 provoke scdition and
violence in wicked attempt 10 overthrow the
State Government, upon their heads shall rest the
consequences.
General Joseph A. Cooper in command of the
State Guards is hereby instructed so 20 DISPOSE
the troops in the rebelious localities rs TO enable
him TO enforce the Franchise Law in its letter and
spirit without regard 10 the threats Of the sedion
its. Order must be maintained, and the law exc
cuted If il require that shall call into the field the
whole available force at my command 10 do So
In testimony whereof, / have hereunto subscribed
my name and caused the Great Seal of Che
ILS.l State TO be affixed, at the Department in
Nashville, this LIST day Of July, A. D.,
1867
w. g BROWNLOW.
By the Governor:
A. J. FLETCHER, Secretary Of State