Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1870-11-02
A Card from Col. Baxter.

TO the Editors Of the Chronicle:
Your readers already know something Of the
controversy which have had with the cor
ruptionists.' My efforts to expose their corrupt
and fraudulent practices provoked their united
and malignant hostility. In this unjust war
fare, the Governor, portion Of the Legislature
and hired press gave active aid and comfort
to my assailants Efforts were made to intimi-
date and drive me from my purpose. by threat.
Of personal, violence. Failing in this, they re-
sorted to falsehood and personal deraction.
Next, dastardly attempt was made to a,.as,i-
nate me. Then came subornation of perjury,
which was followed by the simultaneous publi-
cation by subsidized press Of a most Infamous
libel. Among other means adopted to frishten
me into silence, was the institution Of two suits,
by Gen Mabry-one for SANDER and the other
for libel-in which he claimed one hundred and
fifty thousand dollars damages due to his repu-
tation. These suits have been disposed Of and
it is proper that the public should know how
the issue resulted
Gen Mabry's declaration in the SANDER suit
was as follows
The plaintiff sues the defendant for serenity
Frc thousand dollars damdges for falsely and
maliciously speaking and concerning him, in
INC presence OF dlyora persons on the 2ith daV
of April, 1870, and divers other times. in sub
stance, as follows; Alabry is thief: he. as
President of the Knoxville and Kentucky Rail-
road Company, sold eight hundred Tennessee
oonds Tor slxty-iYe dollars on the hundred, and
only accounted for sixty dollars on the hundred
Mabry Is no better than thief he has traudu-
lently appropriated two hundred Tennessee
bonds to his own use. Mabry is dishonest
scoundrelj he has appropriated thousands of
dollars to his own use, as President of the Knox
vile and Kentucky Railroad Company Mabry
has been stealing from the Railroad over since
he has been President. AIabry has been guilty
OF felony and If there was only honesty enough
in the courts, | would prosecute him.
To his declaration couchcd in the foregoing
terms, l appeared and plead the general is
sue, and gave notice, in accordance with the
rules of our practice, that | would, on the trial
- show in evidence and rely on the following
detensc' lat, that | was not guilty in manner
and form as he had alleged and 2ndlv t6at the
,Sords spoken ,rcrc true"
Thus the issue was clearly made and distinct
ly defined, atfording Gen Mabry a full oppor-
tunty of vndicating, by verdict Of a Jury. his
damaged reputation. But, to my great surprise.
on Monday last, without any notceof his nten-
ton to me, he went into Court and dismissed
BOTH MS suits Why he did so, | do not know.
Upon this point, the public are as colnpetent tn
form an opinion as myself But it is certain
that, in the face Of my plea of justification. and
without any retraNit or apology from me, and
IN the face of a number of dispositions taken in
support of my charges against him he dismissed
both Of his suits. 1t is this fhct which ! wish
the public to know.
The retreat of Gen. Mabry, in the withdraw
al OF ms suits is not the only evidence of pan
&c IN the camps Of the corruptionists" This
l will make manifest, by the further prosecu-
t!on of the litigation now pending
Respectfully, &c, JNo. BAXTER.