Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-02-27
ADVERTISEMENT
A Card

with the subject of the sacred |
'chool fund.-" Instantly upon the news.
paper charges or inuendoes of my COM
piicity in the affair, conscious Of inno-
sence, l requested investigation by the |
raised by the House of Repre-
sentatiyes, whose zeal in performance of |
The duties sssigued them is doubted by
none.
As 10 the article published 10 the UNION
AND AMERICAN of this city, indicating my
acknowledgment, by letter, of having re-
ceived of George r.. Rutter $4,000, it was
distinctly proved before the Investigating
Committee by the books, the book-keeper
and business manager of the Knoxville
WING, that within a few days subsequent
to my letter 1 had paid to the Office SIS,
which was charged to me on the Office
books, on account Of club subscription of
said Rutter, and also, that there stood
charged to me on said books additinally So
on account of said Ruttef's individual SUBJ
scriplion; it was also proyen-ths business
of the Office being conducted under the cash
system-that it was my frequent habit TO
have the paper sent to subscribers, and
myself assume liability to the Office for the
Rutter on the subject being produced be-
fore the committee, while, as fact, there
was no punctuation so as to indicate the
figures would mean $4,000 or 600, the
committee agreed with unanimity, as did
others examining the letter, that there had
been plainly an erasure of punctuating
mark between the first and second 0 in the
figures, and expressed conviction that the
letter intended to acknowledge the receipt
of $4,000.
After this proof had been submitted to
the committee, all of whom had agreed
upon a report exculpating me perfectly
from all completely in the matter, publi-
cation was made in the Memphis Ledger,
substantially reiterating those charges or
insinuaiions. Upon this coming to my no.
tice, Immediately had the editor sum-
moned 10 testify before the School Fund
Committee. He obeyed the summons, but
before | had an opportunity to examine
him-though omitted no effort to do 30
the committee was dissolved, greatly to
my disappointment and against my earnest
protest, through counsel. The member
moving the dissolution insisting that the
charges against me were wholly unsus-
tanned by proof and the committee, as
understand, coinciding with his views
then requested the further investigs.
ton of the matter referred TO the Special
Committee of which Mr.. Thompson, of
Bedford county, was chairman, and this
committee at my request issued subpoena
for the Memphis editor, but the Sergeant
alarms, reported him returned to Men,
phis. Upon consultation with friends,
and being advised by Democratic author
ity that the editor while here had stated
he knew nothing Of the matter save what
he had learned through rHmor, the COM
mittee deemed it unnecessary to incur fur
ther labor and expense for his examine
ton and therefore submitted their report,
asking to be discharged from further con-
sideration of my case on the ground that
"the facts elected show that it is but a re-
newal, or, rather continuation of the
Hon. A. ]. Fletcher"
AS for the Nashville BGaHer's unkind
comment upon the committees statement
that their report was made upon "par-
tial statement" | will remind it, that it
was only partial to the extent of declin-
ing to take testimony of witnesses offered
in my behalf-aA proof offered for The prose
cutiOn was received.
affirm positively, solemnly that nerer,
directly or indirectly, have / received any
amount of money from Geo. r. Rutter as
q gift or loan, and to this review of the
record proof in my case, / will simply
add, that, if any of my sccusers have either
letter or other character of evidence with
which TO convict me, challenge its pro-
duction; demand the proof they iHsinuate.
If none is brought then 1 submit to the
press which has 80 recklessly and harshly
charged me, and to the fair-minded public
with whom have no cause of quarrel or
complaint, as to how far it is right for po-
liticaI difference to thus assail the private
integrity of one VINO has never defed or
shown indifference to the good opinion of
all just-hearted men irrespective of their
political differences,
And now few words as 10 the testimony
of Hon. A. J. Fletcher in this matter and
! shall have done. Mr.. Fletcher was rot
my witness, as has been asserted in public
print-only, 90 far az it was my right as
Ihs party he accused to cross-examiue him.
Hls statement is substantially to the effect
that il April or May, 1865, gaile Rttter
was so much about the CaPitOt, had told
him, witness, that Rutter had handed me
five hundred dollars without asking me for
my note that this was about the time
was preparing to start to Memphis with
Rutter; that did go to Memphis with
him and returned in about one week. That
my conversation on this matter did not
and does not impress witness that l had
received the $500 for any improper par-
pose or IN any other way than as gener-
GUS loan Unexpectedly received.
In cross-examination Mr.. Fletcher states
that he objected to being made q witness |
in regard to this asserted loan, aud told |
Mr.. Taylor, the Chairman of the Com. |
mittee, all he had to do was TO recall Rut-
ter. Rutter at my instance was recalled |
and in answer to the Question "Did Col. |
Jno. B. Brownlow ever receive any money |
from you or through any agent of yours by |
your knowledge" stated in answer, 81 do |
not remember of ever having given or
loaned Col. Jno. p. Brownlow any money |
at any time"
Further, Mr.. FletcheI's cross examina-
ton reveals his asserted conversation with
me was under his own roof, 10 the privacy
Of my room, at the time boarder at his
house, only be and / being present. When
being asked if he had ever mentioned this
or its substance TO any par.
lies previous to the present school fund in
he stated he has frequently
lone go to his confidential friends, and
yet what is passing strange, totally failed
Of ability to name single one of these
friends TO whom he had made
uCh communication
Respectfully to all men save Mr.. Fletch-
II, / point 10 this ear-mark of suspicion
lpon his testimony. To two-himself and
nyself-they are wholly unneeded for cor
eCt information, for both he and | we'll
NOW that neither such conversation or the
INSTANCE of it ever occurred and, con-
-inoed IS | am, that the whole purpose
nd desire of Mr.. Fletcher in this matter
las been my personal wrong and injury,
y the base and cowardly effort TO cast
pom my character the shadow of this
choOl fund odium-though / stood far be-
ond the reach of its substance, must say,
hat in testifying TO the truth of the ADORE
conversation with me, he took upon himself
ne guilt of malicious, ,CillfI and deliberate
erjUrer. JNo. p. BROWNLOw.
Nashville, Feb. &c, 1868.
FROM THE TESTIMONY OF MIR.
FLETCHER.
A. ]. Fletcher being duly sworn de.
osed as follows:
O Please state any cOnyersaIion vou |