Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1866-1869, 1867-10-09
KNOXVILLE, TENN, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1867

AxNNJ VI Gl|NGODal VO1
upon the General Government hereafter to assume
and pay these just and meritorious clsims
/ recommend that proper officer, be appointed Il
ascertain and audit those claims and that the bonds
Of the State Of denominations from $50 to 300 b
issued in payment. ] am aware that this proposi.
ton will meet with fierce opposition from those who
would give preference to the millions of debt con-
tTacted by the usurped State Government or by
Rebel Qusrtermasters. l am also aware that obiec-
ton will come frcm better class upon the ground
Of so considerable an increase of the State debt
but if the American people are Just they viii as
sumo the amount long before it falls due, and upon
principle treat the suffering loyalists of Tennessee
they have treated the lsyalists of other States
LetIsueh q law be well guarded in every rasnact
and if Congress does not at once assume the lisbi
ity, and promptly meet the same, then we hsv .
elected eight able and loyal men TO Congress to look
after our Interests, to very little purpose.
THE COLONEL POPULATION
Our colored fellow-eitizeas have shown greater
aptitude for learning and the acquisition of knowl.
edge than was expected, and by their good conduct
and steadfast loyalty have rapidly won upon the
good opinions and respect of the loyal portion of
the white race while their rebsl opponents, under
the encouragement afforded them by the pro-rebel
policy Of tbs President have shown less disposition
to return TO t-ue loyalty than was fondy expected
The exercise of the elective franchise by the colored
race in this State has shown them to be capable of
exercising that right and of selecting candidates to
represent them.
Some legitlation is necessary 10 protect the col
ored race in sheir rights Fentes and labore-s In
many instances they have been turned ont of en-
ploy and otherwise prescribed not to say defraud-
ed for opinions sake. Coming here from eeery
county in the State you are familiar With the facts
and yo1r sense of justice viii prompt you to apply
the remedy for this great and growing evil.
The odious sixteenth section Of the Franchise law
is now part of the Constitution, and it is for you
to say whether it shall remain in force or be obite
rated, by amending the Constitution in the only
regular way.
CONDITION OF THE rENITEETIARY.
Your attention is called to the condition of affairs
in the State Prison. full andspeciSc details of which
will be given in the report of the Commissioners in
charge of thst institution I have every confidence
that the Legislature will look into the wants of that
institution and do for il what, in the Judgment Of
members, may seem proper Many complaints have
been made TO me, pro and con, with regard to its
management and complaints OF character which
require thorough investigation. AS you are aware
one wing of the institution has been destroyed BY
fire. This has been rebuilt al cost of several thou
sand dollars. This loss TO the State and the mat
ter Of these repairs should be looked into with strict
and impartial fidelity. Meanwhile, i again suggest
the establishment of branches of the Penitentiary
in the Western District, and in East Tennessee
The cost of building on moderate SCALE would be
saved to the State in fifteen twenty years. in the
item Of cash market in each end of the State, for
provisions TO sustain and raw material to keep The
convcts employed in manufacturing as lum-
Der, marble iron, coal, leather, &C. There would
be saving of thousands in the item of transporting
prisoners. The erection Of buildings would furnish
employment and cash wages TO number of me-
chanics and, as there are several salaried officers
attached to such an institution il would distribute
the patronage of the State in her three natural d
visions If this be not DONE an enlargement of the
State Prisen win be required. The demoralised
condition Of both our white and colorsd population
is causing scores TO be sent to the PenitsrtsTy as
our courts have gone into operation.
East of Knoxville, one mile and half, the State
owns one hundred acres of land, i've or ten acres
Of which can be appropriated fer branch of the
Penitentiary, and in most suitable locality. Close
to the Railroad on the one side, and close to the
river on the other side know Of no more suitable
locality in that end of the State The State also
owns property III Memphis, which, if not in suit
able locality, could ta exchanged sdvautageously
for other property.
THE STATE GUARDS.
The State Militia, which has been represented by
yenal press and by designing politicians as swarm
ing in every highway like the loctists of Egypt and
everywhere overawing the quiet people, and COM
hitting innumerable acts of violence, numbered, all
told, seventeen hundred men-had of whom were
mustered into the service but few weeks before
the election This force, Represented by the enc
mics of the State Governmant 70 have cost millions
of money has only cost tho State little the rise of
the tenth part of enc million. Clothing, rations,
&C. were purchased on the most favorable terms,
and strict economy was observed throughout AS
soon the election over and the country quiet
ed. I directed General Joseph A. Cooper, chief in
a,,I Erp7 nd noof Of
cer to pay off and muster out of the service all but
five companies. Most of these companies were
dered to the Western division of the State, in
raj counties of which the conduct of disloyal is
bad, and calls for correction. The small force now
in service is under the command of Major Robin
son, a prudent, brave and reliable officer. / am
anxious TO rid the State Of this item of expense and
will do so as sooa as the rebellioas portion of Mid
die and West Tennessee will permit me to disband
these troops I will not close my remarks upon the
subject without assuring your body that the records
of this, and ali other branches of the service are
open to inspection and FREQ and full investigation
is invited.
eos ERNoRs lIAEsIoy
There are, in the county Of Davidson, belonging
to the State three or four pieces Of Real Estate said
TO be worth not less than 5000, 900. This valuable
and saeabe property is not only bringing the State
revenue, bat Is an expense. propose to sell of
this property at once and with the proceeds to pur-
chase and furnish q suitable and convenient man
sion for the Governor Of the State. The great State
Of Tennessee ihould, by all means, provide Gov
ernor's residence. The present incumbent OF the
Executive Office would derive no advantage from
such purchase but asks that it be made for the
honor of the State and the accommodation OF his
successors in Office. A poor man. with family and
having to keep house, cannot AFFORD TO be Governor
of TENNESSEE The Executive OF the State Is there
fore compelled 10 be absent from the Capital tre-
p. = l. -, 90 he ~ ha aWnrN-
arated ir5u his family, and forced, by MS made
quate salary, to look out cheap boarding house,
or fit up room in this building for ms lndiVldusi
accommodation.
rHE SCHOOL BILL.
The late patriotic General Assembly enacted q
wise and desirable School Law, and OF time when
/ the want of such system was damaging the
interests Of the State, both At home and abroad
The want Of a sound and liberal School system, IN
any State is well calculated to drive men OF capt.
/ tai and enterprise and of intelligence, from oul
midst as we'll us to deter others from coming among
u.s. as it must be construed into opposition to tn'
/ esuse Of Education The law, as it nov stands L
liberal one, and reflects much credit on your II
ustrious predecessors Bot this law Is detective IL
/ several important particulars, and should DO IN
/ proved bv YOU at once. Time and discussion, du
ring the late canvass, have pointed out these de-
lecis, and, doubt not you are prepared TO nppil
! the rensady.
HiLLs COSTS.
The HBills OF Costs coming up from the differ
+ ent counties in the State are drawing from tn
/ Treasury 100000 per annuin. There Is feeling
of indifference, in too many instances, on the par
Of The officers who approve these bills OF costs,
( the State has them 70 foot The cnences out Q
+ which these bills of costs grow should pc graded
and the smaller Glasses left with the counties to set
tie either in work-houses or from the county reve
nue. call your earnest attention TO THIS great AM
growing evil, as requiring REMEDY and that with
out delay.
THE CASE or IsHAM G. HARRIS.
/ advise the Immediate repeal of the offer Of re
ward of 5O0o for the arrest and return OF ex-Gov
ernor Harris Ny opinions with regard to active
( r.;.;,1 -.....;or;s.s and 4ha pisuishmert dua I