Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1866-1869, 1868-08-12
HOUSE.

HOUSE,
Mr. Doughty continued his remarks from yester-
day against The extension Of the franchise at pres
ent.
Messrs Stone and Mynatt followed in the same
line of argument.
The Speaker, Mr.. Rider and Mr.. Wines made
some remarks in favor of acting upon the Cover
nors message submitting proposition TO extend
the franchise.
Mr. Cason spoke earnestly in favor of enlarging
the franchise, and contended that now is the time.
Mr.. Cason continued his argument in favor of a
liberal policy towards the disfranchised AS far
he knew the sentiments of those who served with
him in the Union army, every man except one Of
his company of ninety approved his course.
Mr.. Bowles-From tho time Adam was year
old, did you ever know government to be given
up TO the whipped party?
Mr.. Cason-I do not propose TO give this govern
ment up TO the ex-rebels. l believe that the Re-
publican party cannot exist in this State year
longer under the franchise law.
Mr.. Stone-Do you believe that the Republican
party is wrong
Mr.. Uason2Yes. believe the Republican par
ty in Tennessee is in advance Of the National Re-
publican party of the North, and that il is our duty
TO come back and range ourselves by the Congres-
sional policy of reconstruction
Mr. Bowles N ade a brief argument against the
policy of now admitting disfranchised rebels TO the
ballot box and TO the control of the State BY their
rebellion they had dsfranchsed themselves. 1t was
their own fault.
Mr.. Singletary-This question has resolved itself
into an affair Of considerable magnitude. l warn
YOU that these demonstrations of the last few days.
the pressure inside and outside Of the General As
sembly have all been in the interest of the Demo-
cratic party.
Mr.. Hacker-These conclatory speeches we're
but part and parcel of the proceedings OF the past
two or three days, and we're intended to fire the
public mind on the franchise question Such SEN
timents as those of the gentleman who had pre-
coded him served only to give aid and comfort to
the rebels, who looked to him as their right hand
man.
Gov. Brownlow did not want the question sgi-
tated. If he we're here to-day he would tell the
House TO let il alone.
Mr.. Kercheval-Why then, did be send the mes
sage?
| Mr. Hacker-Merely out of courtesy to this man
Lea. They had already agtated the question
/ enough If il we're referred to a committee, here
would come more of your sham peace commission
ers, and he would not be surprised if JEFF. Davis
| himself were autographed for. As for this man,
QuaTles his speech showed that be knew all about
the Kuklux Khan, but was in full sympathy with
them.
Mr. Wines-About ten days before the Legisla-
ture met, party of Kuklux, generally supposed TO
be from Christian county, Kentucky, just over the
! line, made raid into Montgomery county. A
/ Union meeting was hed-that is, q meeting Of
men of both parties. Ii was called at the sugges-
ton Of Gen. VIM. a. Qusrles.
Ii was agreed that the police should be instructed
TO arrest all persons appearing on the streets in dis
guise or interfering with citizens. The KukluX
Khan was not regarded with favor by men of either
party in Montgomery county.
Mr.. White, Of Greene, contended that in view OF
the plain language used in the Governors first mes
sage the House had no right TO touch the question
of franchise at this session, and argued against any
question looking to the early enfrsnchisement OF
the rebels.