Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1870-06-08
Letter from Colonel Baxter--No. /.

fFttttt iJuH NOiuuVt bdAttt--NOs
Editors Of tie Chronicle
Ny Card which you were kind
enough to publish about two weeks since,
commits me to +" investigate y the "inves-
tigation." With your permission | will
now proceed to redeem this pledge, though
| confess to some little humiliation in en-
terng upon this labor of love.
Not long since n gentleman from rural
district in New Yorlk-a plain, unsuspect-
ing tarmer-was so unfortunate as TO be
elected to the legislature. Soon after talk
ing his seat, he was approached with the
offer of brj6o. In the honesty and sim
plieity of his nature, he repealed the offer
and moved aresolution of investigation, ~
but instead of the sympathy and support
which he expected, he found himself de-
nounced as dJoOL, and threatened with eX-
pulsion for 6iOtOing on the PARTY.
Somewhat akin to this is my present sit
uation. For several years past, | have, at
the imminent risk ofsustaining pecuniary
loss in my professional and other private
business, grappled with corruption in all of
its local strength and in every form in
which it presented itself-eXposed and de-
.nounced it as tending to subvert and over
throw the integrity of the community; and
after five years of incessant effort, my ear
nest expectations seemed to have been re-
allied in the election of Conservative Leg
isidtMe, supposed to be in active sympathy
with the great object for which had been
so persistently struggling. And believing
it to be composed Of honest men, who in
tended, with firm and unwavering step,
to move right forward to the development
and exposure of the many frauds which
had been practiced upon the people of the
State, [ prepared and had presented to
them an elaborate memorial, calling their
attention to some of the most fragrant
frnl1flO which had haaI f.AI l,tt
the memorial fell almost still-born upon
their listless ears. They seemed to regard
the memorial with disfavor, IA presenting
II disagreeable subject for their considera-
ton. What? Must we investigate Cen
Mabry? a gentleman who controls two
newspapers, and who rendered such signal
service in selling Governor Senter to our
party last summer? Such proposition is
unwise in q party point of view, and I'M
grateful. The member from Knox, fully
cognizant of all the facts alleged in the
memorial, and pledged by his public
speeches made during his canvass to I" in
vestigate y the rascals, was quick to init
mate that the memorial was a matter of
personal pique and in his zeal to defend
MS friend, Gen. Marry, he exhibited all his
parliamentary tact to prevent its reference
to Il Committee. But absolute nOn-dctiOa,
in the face of the specific charges made and
proof rendered, was rather too bold and the
memorial was referred. The Committee,
however, took no action. After Il month
or two had elapsed, about the time | sup
pose the Committee was prepared to act,
the matter was withdrawn from the first
and referred to a second Committee and
when this second Committee had slept I'M
I'll it could defer action no longer, il was
superseded by third, the one of which
Mr.. Clementson is Chairman.
This last Committee-the Bird series-was
authorized to "investigate " 9eHerdHy, and
TO sit during the recess of the General AS
sembly, Finally recess came and so did
the Committee. The "corruptioniStsr (hut
Mr.. Nelson-ScRutor NclSoR-the Hon.
Z. p. c. NELSON, doesn't know who they
are. He has been member of the Legis-
laturc for five years. As such, he has par
ticipated actively in Legislation, which has
fraudulently squandered 100000, 900 OF
State bonds upon projected and fictitious
railroads. and a. a menIberof the "Investi-
gatingn Committee, he has proof before
him that one man alone, to say nothing of
many Others, had expended $4,000, the
proceeds of $40, 900 of bonds, which had
been appropriated for the building of Il
railroad, in his efforts to procure further
appropriations from the General Assem-
bly,, and yet he does not know who the
"corruptionists' are. know he does not,
from the fact that a-short time ago he of
fercd and had passed q joint resolution,
which has been duly attested by the Speak
crs of the two Houses and approved by the
Governor, appointing committee to I'M
quire of me who the "coTuptionistS" We're.
Hence, for the information of himself las
we'll Us for the other Representatives of the
people, none of whom seem TO know any
of the "corruptionists, else the inquiry
which their resolutions directs, would not
have been made / will give general de
scription of this class, so that Representa-
tives of the people may hereafter recognize
them without reference to me. The ''cor-
ruptionists''the are liberal, enlightened
and enterprising set of gentlemen, who
devote most of their time in furthering
legislation, for the promotion of internal
improvements and other projects, by
which, through appropriations to be made
from the State Treasury and expended