Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-02-08
PUBLIC LEDGER.
VI H MI H HI . .
......v rven,ur. February s. 1899
BrownIOw and the school fuho-
II tue Governor ExOnerated

The Legislative report of Thursday s
proceedings says: :,
"Mr. TAYLOR, of Carter, laid before
tho House some additional testimony
taken by the School Fund Committee,
which was read and referred, IL eA'
operates Gov. Brownlow and his son
from ANYTHING like bribery or corrup,,
ton in connection with the School
Fund" H..
We do not pretend to know more than
others upon this important subject; and,
without wishing to impeach the work OF
the live stigating Committee, but rather
IN aid Il. we would respectfully inquire
if on the 3lst day of July last. John b.
Brownlow did not write letter 10
George R. Rutter, President OF the
Tennessee National Bank OF Mem
ph;s. acknowledging the receipt OF o,
fsoo thousand dollars2 We wouid
ask also if, in the same letter. he did
mt write TO Rutter. 1.-THE Governor
directs me to return you his thanks for
the information relative to these imam
cial matters, from time to time commu-
nicated to him. He 1.-THE Governorl
homes in future as in the past. you will
give him all the information IN your
power relative to this New York, or
whatever you may term 1t, swindie ana
attempt to irjure the credit OF the state
Was such o letter as this written by
ono of The Governors sons? And If so,
what does the receipt of $4,000, and the
direction of the Governor TO thank kut-
,ar for information relative TO these
financial matters" mean. if the kxeeur
tive was net connected with the disap;
nearance of the sacred School Fund.-
We ask. both for information and to sug-
sest TO the Investigating Committee iur-
Their investigation on this branch OF the
sabject.- Union and American
As q member of the press we feel 1t
our duty, although it may someybst con-
Hict with the feeling and interest OF 9th
ers, to expose the wrong and hold mp the
guilty to public gaze and condemnation.
If the Brownlows could exculpste
themselves from any completely or
criminaIity in this late School Fund
rascality, it would be gratifying.to us as
a citizen of Tennessee, But we fear
that our Governor and bis loyal son,
Colonel John Rrownlow, have both
received their share of the missing fund.
The Colonel denounees the letter to Mr..
Batter acknowledging the receipt OF
$4,000 as forgery, and says that it was
a receipt for twenty dollars for work
dooe st Bic printing Office, and that he
had failed to put 10 tina deviding point
between the dollars ana cents, vbich
left the amount to appear as 5000,
when it should have been only $50 and
no cents.
A very artful dog, indeed. Bot JSs
can't win with that hand, Col. Johr.
We understand, and from good authority,
that Mr.. Parhsm, the agent OF Hr, Rut-
ter. did pay yon an amount of money for
consideration for services rendered 10 the
matter of getting the School Fond in pcs
session. Do you deny tha,1 If SO, we
think the proof can be made SO
clear that the most incrednio.s can
be convinced. OF all men Ia The
country, Radicals have less reason
for stealing aud defrauding than sny
others. In the first place, they have
and hold every Office Of profit in the
State, denounciug rebels as unworthy to
be trusted And then they are so legal,
they would not take up arms to fight
against the best Government the world
ever saw. No, they could not fight
against, but would steal the entire sub
stance and means Of existence of that
Government they profess so much TO love.
Fie on the carpet-bag patriotism of the
present day. Would that every bush was
a Ku-Klux