The Union flag. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1865-187?, 1869-05-21
Hon. Newton Hacker.

This gentleman was BY an almost upani-
nous voice Of the Republican party OF this
County, placed upon the track, as a eandr-
date for a seat in the lower branch Of the
last Legislature. The nomiustion WAS not
solicited by him. BE met and defeated Col.
Patton by a vote Of three to one. The tact
displayed by him in the canvass has not
been forgotten by the Republicans OF this
County. As an eyewitness to the manner
in which he demeaned himself as a member
Of the Legislature, we deem it but simple
justice to say, that as = staunch Republican,
hsf ever occupied a place in the foremost
rank-meeting at the very thresh-hold every
scheme or measure which be regarded as
hostile TO the best interests Of the party, Of
which he was, in the Legislature, one Of the
Acknowledged champions, He was sober,
Industrious and vigilant-early iugratiatiEg
himself into the confidence and favor of all
good men in the Legislature, and by his can
dor and honesty, even winding tue respect Of
those who diiFered with him in sentiment
lie took a leading part in almost every dis
cussion that cane up, and never failed to
commend almost the undivided attention of
the House.
At the Extra Session last fall, a deter
mined effort was made by hs Rebels TO force,
il possible, the Legislature TO take steps FOR
their immediate enfrsnchisement. Rebel
Generals poured into Nashville from all parts
of the State-ineendiary speeches were being
made in almost every town throughout Mid
die and West Emancipation With
thousands Of signers we're being presented
every day, and armed Ku Klux r~iyolling tbs
wild Cummanches in their feudish barbarity
were nightly visiting the sparsely settled
bones Of UEion whites and the rude cabins
Of timOrous colored meu. In that political
storm that seemed wont to sweep over all
! opposition he stood at his post Of duty, tell
ing such men as Henry S. Foote, who were
demanding justice at the hands of the Leg
i%slAture, that if justice had been meted out
TO them they would have been dangling ut
the end of a rope, long ago-an5weriug Gen.
Bates intended challenge in a style that gave
aim to understand that be was talking to M
East Teunessesan no could not be intimi-
dated by him.
fe took Il leading part 10 the passage Of
the law establishing the Agricultural College
vt Rockville, At which the interest OF near
three huudred thousand dollars, donated by
the Federal Government, Is to be devoted to
the education Of INDECENT young men
throughout onr State. He was one of the
Committee who introduced q bill which is
now a law, by which the State isto be re-
lieved of tse unfortunate contract by which
the Penitentiary labor was leased out for the
pitiful sum Of forty-three eeats per day, aud
on account OF which the State was incurrlng
an enormous debt.
He was a member Of the Judiciary Com
mittee, and Of the Committee on Finance
Ways and Msans-two Committees 10 which
four-6fths Of all bills and resolutions are re-
ferred, and by whose decision, to a great eE-
tent, their fate is determined. He was on
the Committee 10 settle with the Comptroller
and Treasurer when their farms Of Office ex-
PRED, and various other Special Committees
of minor importance. He was one of the
principal actors on the Committee to ~inyesti-
gate the School Fund Robbery, and by bis
untiriDg energy contributed largely 10 a re-
port that removes the veil from oas Of the
darkest schemes Of v~illainy ever conco,ted
and carried into effect in the State Of Ten
n0ssss.