Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-01-28
On the very day was installed took
upon myself the burdens of both offices.

upon myself the burdens Of both offices.
was often employed fifteen hours out
Of the twenty-four. The Governor
health grew worse, and month after my
election he went TO Knoxville Before
leaving he ordered his entire staff to re.
port to me for orders, and gave ine full
power over any and every duty of his
ofice. Soon after he left, Gen. Thomas
sent for me TO come to headquarters on
| important business. When proposed to
! dispatch to Gov. Brownlow the General
said: "We must not disturb him be has
written that be will approve whatever
you do" The Governor remained al
Knoxville till after the Legislature met
in the fall, about Eve months. During
this time he knew little of his office, ex'
cept by my letters Before the Governor
left the subject of the appointing power
was considered No one then supposed
that the schedule gave the Governor any
power to make appointments. All knew
that it was intended TO apply to the ap-
pointments of acting Governor johnson.
But it was agreed, on account of the
absolute necessity of the case, that the
Governor should appoint judicial and
county officers pro tempore, and ask the
Legislature to pass law making their
acts valid Sach was the origin of that
power, which it is now claimed gives the
Legislature full power to make vacant
and to fill all the Offices of the State. A
large number of applications for offices
having accumulated on my table, wrote
to the Governor for instructions. His
reply is still in my Office, and is in these
words. "Act from all the lights before
you and will approve whatever you do. :
Under this carte blanche commissioned
over thousand officers, from chancellors
down to constables. Except in the mat
ter of pardons, l very seldom disturbed
him with the executive business l also
relieved him of the trouble of issuing
proclamations and addresses, as after.
ward did of preparing his messages.
When the address of July, 1868, defend
ing the legitimacy of the State Govern
ment, and declaring its purpose to en-
force the Franchise law, waa sent to
Governor Brownlow, then in Knoxville,
in the fullness of his heart he wrote to me,
your address is just the thing"
This state of things continued for two
years, during which the Governor had a
staff under full pay. A large part of the
time employed and paid my own clerk,
but for part of the time the Governor
kindly detailed one of his aids to assist
me. In the spring of 1867, dispute
occurred between Fl. II. Thomas. of the
staff, and Captain Heydt, as TO whether
the latter should deliver the Executive
mail to me or Thomas. In reference to
this dispute, the Governor wrote to me
that Thomas was attending to the Exec
utive duties, and, as such, was entitled
to his letters. | now discovered that he
was not aware that | had been discharg-
ing his duties. In otherewords, he sup
posed that the issuance of grants, bonds,
acquisitions, warrants, wrts OF election,
commissions, etc., was my duty as Sec
retary. Having spent two years in men,
tai and bodily servitude for the Governor
without his knowing it, did turn over to
Thomas the duties of the Executive Of
fee. For this the Governor subsequently
assailed me in a special message to the
Legislature. | wrote him very kind
letter on taking leave of his Office, but
have ever since declined to perform Elk.
ecutive duties.
Let me relieve your mind on the sub.
ject of the nomination for Governor. |
do not aspire to the place of Etheridge.
Ia no possible contingency could l ac-
cept a nomination from the party that
supported Etheridge or Seymour and.
Blair. 1t would place me in aptagonism
III Aha srrnnt nn,hlinnn nnrfu Of the