Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1868-03-29
SUNDAY. MARCH "a. 1855
Largest CirculatiOn in City and State
A CORRUPT OPTICAL.
History of Barbour Lewis SpeeuIa.
tiOns I'm County Warrants.

FROM the memphis Avalanche, March q.
The revelations in the Aualanehe of the
latest iIfamy Of Barbour Lewis was the
sensation Of yesterday. II was universally
commented upon, and while none we're sur
prised that he should conniye at or perpe-
trate rascality, few believed even him capa-
BILE OF committing a grave misdemeanor
80 unblushingly. But that he is guilty OF
the grave charge is as certain as that the
world stands. The evidence is positive.
and neither Lewis nor his friends dare at
tempt TO disproye it.
The importance Of the case induces us to
give history of il, which has been OBJ
tained from a reliable source:
About three moAths ago several citizens
ascertained that certain county officers were
speculating in county warrants. We mem
toned the affair, and called upon all per-
Sons possessing positive knowledge Of the
fact to report il 10 the grand jury. Two
or three county officers interested 4hem-
selves in ferreting the matter ont, snd a
well known lawyer Of the city was retained
TO accomplish the object desired.
An officer in a prominent Jefferson street
bank and one in a Madison street banking
institution were summoned before the
grand jury. They appeared and gave
evidence. IL was conclusive-proving.
without the shadow Of doubt, that Bar
bonr Lewis, chairman Of the county COM
missioners, whose position enables him TO
form an idea Of even the prospective value
Of them, had on more than one occasion
speculated in county warrants. In direct
violation Of his oath, he had bought these
warrants at less than their nominal value.
The gentlemen introduced TO prove these
facts are old residents, and of unimpeach-
able integrity.
An effort was made TO secure Lewis in
dictment before the grand jury then exist
ing, but without success. 1t was found
impossible TO bring the Prosecuting Attor-
ney 10 the point of framing the bill. 1t
was understood that Hudson would throw
every obstacle in the way Of the prosecu-
ton. So the matter was dropped for the
time.
Ii was believed by Lewis that his tri-
umph was final But the grand Jury of
the present term of the court exhumed tie
charge. The same proof first introduced
was again made it was shown c0nclusivelv
that this corrupt official had bought county
warrants at a discount more than cnce, and
at more than one place. The grand jury,
as before, were rewarded for their efforts
by the Prosecuting Attorney coolly refusing
TO take any action. IIia reason for so
doing, a. given by the grand jury, was
because mo prosecutor has appeared
before us.'
There was prosecutor, who failed to
come before Mr.. Hudson because he could
not obtain an opportunity to do So But
Mr.. Hudson cannot shield himself behind
this unworthy subterluge. If he did not
know better, he ia unfit TO enter a court
room. IL is true that, according to section
1896 Of the Code, no "District Attorney
shall prefer bill of indictment without a
prosecutor marked thereon, unless other
wise expressly provided by law" But it
Is otherwise expressly provided" in sec
tion 5097, which says that "a prosecutor is
dispensed with, and the District Attorney
may file bills Of indictment, officially, and
without prosecutor marked on the same, I"
on fourteen different grounds, one of which
and the hrst meniiOned--is: "Upon a
presentment."
Was there a presentment? The grand
jury settle that question i'm few words:
"Both Of the foregoing cases have been
dulg presented 10 The Prosecuting AHOrnelL
and he has been requested to frame indict-
ments, which he declines doing, for The rea-
son that no prosecutor has appeared before
as"
The solemn oath Of Mr.. Hudson, re-
quires him 10 discharge the duties of his
Office without fear, favor or affection"
Section 1861 makes il his duty to send al1
indictments, er o6icio, in the cases pre-
scribed in section 5097, which is given
above Nothing is more clear than this.
We have the startling spectacle of a
sworn officer willfully violating the provi-
sions Of a law too plainly laid down to be
mistaken. The grand jury prove that Bar
bour Lewis "the Chairman of the Board
of County Commissioners, while occupying
such responsible position, has bought
county warrants at less than their nominal
value in several cases. The evidences Of
such purchases was 40 very clear and di-
rect that we feel it our duty to present the
case 10 the Prosecuting Attorney
Section 4Sl5 says it is misdemeanor
for any judicial, ministerial or executive
officer, either directly or indirectly, TO
speculate in State or county claims, by pur-
chasing or trading for them at less than
their nominal value"
The penalty of this is not only fine, bnt
removal from Office, and disqualification
forever from holding Office under the laws
and Constitution Of the State.
Lewis was proved guilty the Prosecut-
ing Attorney had an imperative duty to per
form. He had no option in the matter.
Yet, to shield his personal and political
friend from punishment, he has at least
twice violated his solemn obligation.
There was time when such conduct as
this could not go unpunished single day !;
but in this era Of Radicalism il will be re-
gsrded as but a new evidence of party
fealty.
We are glad TO announce that notwith-
standing Hudson's chicauery in behalf Of
the infamous Lewis, the latier's gross mis-
conduct Is not TO escape punishment.
Yesterday Judge Waldran ordered the re.
assemblage Of the grand jury to-day to in
vestigate the matter. Even the piiiml
dodge "no prosecutor will be denied the
attorney, for one will be on tiae. We
shall see whether Hudson dare furnish
another repetition OF his disgraceful con-
conduct
The community Is disgraced every day
that Lewis remains in the position he has
prostiiuted to the basest ends. Let him be
hurled from il by the strong arm of the
law.