Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1866-1869, 1868-09-16
THE KR0XVILLE WING.
tennessee Legislature.
HOUSE.
NASHVILLE, September 4, 1868.

HOUSE.
NASHVILLE, September 4, 1853
SocaEsr d the House Of Representatives, Nashville
Tennessee:
SIR Ny attention has been called to the Special
Finance Committee Of the House Of Representatives,
together with the testimony Of the witnesses exam
med by tho committee etc, particularly the follow
ing extract from The testimony Of Col. JOSEPH A.
Wabry, viz: Z" @. Powell, Of New York told me
Inst be called upon IL. II. Thomas and Cone, in
rs New York since last January; any how since the
massage Of the Omnibus bill, signing Tennessee
Bonds on he thought Thomas signing them
propose as briefly as possible 20 clear I'D the
.erribe myftery lurking in this innocent testimony.
About the middle Of last December il was foand
necessary 10 alter The plate upon which the previous
series Of railroad b0nds-as The green bonds issued
no aid Of railroads were caled-had been printed
IN order 20 make them conform 10 the provisions Of
The law which had been recently enacted granting
further aid 10 certain railroads AS Il was Of the
highest importance that these bonds should be in
lhe hasds Of the respective companies TO which
lhey had been appropriated &C as early moment as
possible in order 10 enable them 20 pay the Janu-
sry interest 20 The State, / sent 70 New York
by the Governor at the instance Of several parties
Interested, 10 hurry up the execution Of the new
bonds
Il is within the knowledge Of most Of your body
thal up 10 January last was acting as private sec
rslary 10 Gov Brownlow, and that part Of my
duty 10 sgh has name 10 all the aforesaid green
bonds railroad bonds that were issued. When I
o. forward The bonds by express as fast as they
we're permitted, in order that they might be signed
by tbe Comptroller and Secretary of State and dc
ivered 10 the different persons who were entitled
% them. In order that they might not be delayed
ou account Of my not being az the capitol 10 sign
The Governors name, l went TO the Office Of the
Bank Note Company and signed the Governors
10 ths first $50 or 200 Il do not now recollect
the exact number) as fast as they came from the
press, 90 at time and Immediately handed them
over 10 the officer Of the Bank Note Company, 10
le forwarded by express. On one occasion Mr..
Cone was present, together with an employees Of the
company, and blotted the signatures as / signed
them this wac The time that &C. Powell came upon
me- as Colonel MRbry testihes. The officer Of the
Bank Note Company viii testify that on no oeca-
s0a dd raHoUc The bonds from the office, and that
only had them in my possession long enough 10
ign Tie Governors name as aforesaid. Those who
familiar with the process Of signing bonds will
Understand that they valueless until signed by
The Comptroller and Secretary Of State, and sealed
with the great seal Of the State had been
so unfortunate as 10 DO "oome upon signing them
IN some swindng brokers' Office other disrepu-
table place which might perhaps, be inferred from
the language used by Mr.. Q. Powell.
met Col Marty in New York on the occasion
referred TO- and explained my errand fully. Had
bis testimony been little fuller it might have OBJ
waited the necessity Of this explanation. Had your
Finance Committee called on the Comptroller, he
would have informed them whether the bonds
signed by me in New York were duly forwarded by
the Bank Note Company or not
/ only regret this explanation could not have &C
compaBiei the original report; although IL there
are any parties interested in deprecating the credit
Of she State understand why IL might not
have been considered desirable by them.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
H. II. THOMAS,
Late Private Secretary 10 Governor Brownlow.
Mr. Hamilton asked the Judiciary Committee,
through the Speaker, II the committee raised by the
General Assembly TO visit the President Of the
United States in their official capacity should state
70 him that the constituted authorities could not adj
minister the State Government what would be his
duty Would it be 10 take charge of the Safe Gov
eminent, declare martial law, appoint Military
Governor, and set the civil Governor aside He
thought it would be tho Presidents duty under the
law.
BY Mr. Singletary-A resolution requesting the
Speaker 10 sevoke the appointment made under
Senate resolution No. 10, and that the House APP
point the committee #'at
Mr. Roach held that It had passed beyond the
power Of the Speaker to revoke the appointment OF
ihe committee, unless joint resolution pass both
Houses resembling Senate resolution No 10.
Mr. Ryder said the whole fight seemed to be over
ms appointment, and the House seemed determined
not 70 let any represent them before the Presi
dent that had been one Of the minority that report
Cd on the Militia Bill. 10 thought it Just that one
Of the minority should be represented on that COM
nitiee he vindieatod himself from personal at
tack made on him by members of the House, and
ended by offering his resignation, which was ac-
cepted
Mr.. Singetary said by request Of many friends
he would withdraw bis resolution
BY Mr. Wines--A resolution
hesog1ea, That the resignation of MI L Ryder
oe accepted and that the Speaker appoint one from
The majority 70 FL The vacancy.
NJ Wines said he was one of the minority that
repor1ed on The Militia Bill and it seemed that be-
.ause tney did not agree with them in their e1-
IRENE measures, that they were determined TO rue
mem out Of the Republican party He could see
10 Jus reason why one OF the minority could not be
presented on that committee.
Mf' welsh had opposed sending that committee
70 The President be thought it dangerous step.
"a the table
Mr. singleIary moved that Mr. Prosser be APP
pointed e MI the vacancy occasoned by the resg-
MI. Ryder objected to him on the same ground
that he was objected TO. BE thought Mr.. Prosser
would represent his own interest, and not that Of
'ne house and people of the State. --..tH
Mr.. Wines moved in lieu of all other resolutions
hat The House proceed 30 ballot for of the men,
bers TO I'll the vacancy. Carried
The first ballot resulted in Prosser = votes, Roach
=, Hamilton 81 White ], and Gilmer 1.
On motion by Mr.. Singletsry, Mr.. Hamilton was
elected by reclamation.
Mr. Hamilton said if any one protested against
ms beng one Of the committee he would decline.
M hacker objected on the ground that be had
stated before that he would be of no use, and had
no influence in any way with the President.
The Speaker decided the debate out of order.
house JOINT RESOLUTION Tor the Adjournment Of IN
General Assembly stRe de on the It'll and amended
by the Senate by inserting Il in place Of T. The
amendment was concurred in.
Senate bin number four, 10 pay the expenses Of
lhe General Assembly, passed first reading, and was
referred 10 the Committee on Finance.
--%S-S-~
Was good old Democrat like ReveFdy John
son gets into the presence Of British audience, il
l' refreshing 10 what patriotic Republican he
becomes Thus, he is reported Saying to a num-
Der o. Englishmen at dinner in Sheffield
Inc war bad this compensation il ended sa-
-y, none now but freemen tread the soil OF
1iilgica, and history viii say that blood was we'll
- "a eLsslng this blot transmitted from COM
T, ai.e1I y furnishing our fame and belyng the
Doolafaaon Of Independence
a AL o. which we highly approve. We don't think
iAe' ReyeFey could pronounce sentiments more in |
harmony with the Republican party if be tried.
Tar manDiactuTe Of wooa-sos5 boot, = = a, -.
Of DC latsH Boston noveliieg 4 i s,stI 49, y -, Sn
H ~ mneh hhgfl RIe lHerVious 10 water. ara oniy
cost shall as zboh 81 leather.
IIg salue of the bay crop o. tie Northern and Yves