Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1869-01-14
Republican Estimate Of
the Brownlow Des-
o potiSnn.
potiSn1.


A correspondent of the New
York Times, writing from Green
vile, East Tennessee, thus faith
fully depicts the abuses of the
Tennessee oligarchy:
The anomalous condition of
political affairs in Tennessee has
been, the subject of frequent COM
ment by newspapers of all sections
and parties, the Democratic jour
nails, of course, treating it in terms
of unmeasured condemnation,
while. the Republican organs ap-
prove and justify or excuse the ex-
traordinary conduct of Southern
party friends. This and other in
dependent journals have, as would
be expected, taken a more rational
view of the situation here, and ex-
pressed a hope for better things.
And yet | donbt whether the condi.
ton of Tennessee politics is as fsl.
ly understood by Northern editors
and readers as it should be, as no
one probably has had the patience
save the proof readers-to read
the elaborate statement of grievan-
ces presented to the 4th of july
Convention by the delegation from
this State. True Republicans,
not Radicals, feel that the North
ern Republican journals are doing
themselves and the party great III
justice by sanctioning and sustain
ing the policy of the "Brownlow
Government" No single principle
of republicanism is regarded by
this faction, though they plume
themselves upon their radicalism
and moral ideas. They have not
only DISTINGUISHED two-thirds Of
the white population, possessing
three.fourths of the intelligence,
refinement and wealth of the State,
but they have also disqualified
them from holding any Office of
profit or trust, or from even sitting
as Jurors, and conferred their priv
ileges upon their former slaves,
who, by law, are exempt from even
paying pol, tax. This class, who
payable three-tourths of the tax
has not a single vote or word In
deciding what use shall be made
of single dollar of the vast reve-
nue. annually collected from them.
Even the municipal government
of the large cities is controlled by
men who are hardly freeholders,
and, but for the Offices they hold,
would not be residents even of
the cities that they now govern.
THE REGISTRATION.
Ten newspapers, with an aggre-
gate circulation of less than ten
thousand, are designated by the
Governor to do all the public print
ing. Three-fourths of the Judges,
Chancellors and District Attorneys
are the appointees OF the Governor,
though by the Constitution they
are elective. Every county in the
State has In it an officer styled
Commissioner of Registration, who
says who shall and who shall not
vote, and from his Judgment there
is no appeal. How loyal they'are
TO the Governor and his clique
may be inferred from the fact that
with a population Of 100000
Tennessee pOlled less than $4,000
votes in the late election, but if,
by chance or otherwise-say by
honesty in the Commissioner
county polls a strong Conservative
majority, the Governor declares
the registration void, deposes the
old Commissioner, appoints a new
one more faithful, and, presto ! be-
hold q loyal county giving large
maiorities for Brownlow and his
favorites. all this is done in the
name and for the sake OF Republi-
canism. 7and the partyis response
Die for it, unless they repudiateI
and condem sueh-injustice and ar
rogance.