Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1868-12-27
THE OTHER SIDE.
The New Era on the Charges Against
the SenRte's Eng-OSsIng Clerk,

The New Era on the Charges Against
the Senate's EngrOssinG Clerk.
In an article devoted to the recent in
vestigstion by the State Senate of the
charges preferred by Mr.. Rodgers against
William Baker, the EngrOssing Clerk of
that body, the NcMinnyille Neao Era Of
the 24th says
1t will be seen that both charges made
by Senator Rodgers were sustained by
the committee, and their finding endorsed
by the Senate, but Mr.. Baker was ex-
cused for his offenses. The first charge
was for suppressing the laws of the State,
as Engrossing Clerk. The facts are
these The Carol Academy of Nc
Minnyille, has fund Of some $1,000,
which is lying dormant, the most of the
Trustees being either dead or removed
and perfect willingness on the part of
our people TO have that fund
transferred to Ben Lemond College,
to aid in the erection Of suitable build
ings, etc. Mr.. Faulkner, our Representa-
tive, introduced as an amendment to
some bill a provision to that effect, which
was passed. A., When the law went TO the
hands of the clerk-this contemplate
Baker-he suppressed the amendment
and quietly made way with it in some
mysterious manner. There is no reason
for this, other than a desire to damage
the interests Of this community to the
extent of his thieving propensities.
When he was arraigned before the SEN
ate, he suddenly finds the amendment,
and covers it up by saying I'm the hurry
of business it was overlooked" This
community are satisfied that the over
looking was Intentional and that the
amendment would never have been found
except by some such process as that
adopted.
| The next charge was for obtaining
money under '.tdlse preteHSeS, and
which charge We propose to establish
before a jury Of our countrymen. This
scoundrel cannot claim that this act was
caused by "hurry of business" for it
was a premeditated, calm, cool and de-
Hberate attempt to appropriate to his
own uses money that did not belong to
him, and which he has since been COM
PEELED to disgorge That our readers may
zee the whole case, we make the fol-
lowing statement On the Sd day Of
March, 1868, we received the Tax
sales Of Fentress county, of condemned
lands, for publication in the New Era,
which sales are inserted on the 9Th, 18th
! and 10Th Of March, and this Baker clan
destinely entered the Comptroller's office
at Nashville, and Claimed that the fees
for advertising said sales were due him,
and the Comptroller, knowing no better
, and having but slight acquaintance with
Baker, paid him the amount. The Law
/ regulating legal advertising was passed
on the lIth Of February, to take effec
: thirty days after its passage, which wOul,
/ be the 10th Of March, and Baker coul,
D make no possible legal claim to such fees
:, and he knew it,.
a The Era of the same date pubHshe
A the following cardi from the Comptrolle
+ of the State:
: CoMPTBoLLER's OFFICE, NASHVILLE
o ! TENN., Dec. Is, lS6S.-D. +. WALLACE
: ESQ: DEAR SIR: gave Gen. Rodgers
= warrant on the Treasurer, this moving
d, for the amount OF your fees; since whic
> Mr.. Baker has refunded what paid hin
n Baker was wrong, and more Than arr0R,
- yet can but feel little sorry for him.
D. Yours truly,
q. W. BLACKBURN. COmpt