Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-03-24
GOVERNOR sENTER.
A Candid Statement Of his Views on
the Situation.

rIetcher's DupIieity Fully Exposed
How he Rung Himself I'm with
the GoyernOrss Private Secretary
Propositions from the Washing
ton Conspirat ors-Ani How they
| why he Called for Federal Troops
He Neither Fayors nor fears he'
construction -.
From the Nashville Banner, 81
We visited Governor Senter yesterday
to ascertain his views upon the allah
sorbing topic of the day--the threatened
reconstruction Of Tennessee. We found
him in bed, suffering rather acutely from
pneumonia, produced by severe cold
he greeted us very pleasantly, and, as
will be seen, answered our questions with
out reserve.
FLErcHER's ATTEMPT AT NARTYRDoN.
We told him that there had been con-
siderable talk in the community about
an alleged collision between himself and
Secretary Fletcher in regard 10 the pro-
posed military reconstruction Of Ten
nessee, and we had come TO learn as 10
the truthfulness Of such statements.
Governor Senter-I never acted in col
fusion with Secretary Fletcher at any
time or upon any subject ] never con-
suited with him in regard to any of the
affairs Of State with which / have the
honor TO be connected. | have invaria-
bly, acted from what l conceived the
honest dictates of my own conscience,
having the general good, peace and pros
perify Of the people at heart, indepen-
dent Of any body advice. Secretary
Fletcher has been trying 70 play the
MARTYR" and he has been using every
eudeaTor to that end He came 10 me
one day and represented that he was
afraid 10 visit his home in East Tennes-
see: said ihss bis wife would be confined
within three days ff0m shaf time, and for
Gods sake 10 insure him q safe passage
70 his home. / volunteered 70 90 with
him. and told him ] would insure him
protec1os IN his visit thither. He did
not accept my proposition, as the Sc
ouel has shown. Believe i vas bis In
teatiOn from the start 10 make himself
oar nsFtyr, for mere political effect.
rHE wIEgTELEEGS ~ WASHINGTON.
Secretary Fletcher came 10 as aad
read letters from Maynard and OthsTs At
Washington.
R1porter-What was the purport Of
those iet,ess7
Governor Senter-Tkey urged Secre-
iary Fletcher 10 have a consolation
With me in regard 10 the best course 70
be BEFsued in the calling for United
States troops. iEtimating that If would
call for said troops the Tennessee mem
bers would sustain me in it, and would
use their influence in concentrating that
and. ! heard the letters read and all
that Secretary Fletcher had to say with
the same respectful attention / would
have done if he had he been any other
man; but il is not to be supposed or
understood on that account that ac-
quiesced IN or CONCEDED with the views
or opinions Of Secretary Fletcher, or Of
Stokes, Arnell, Butler 4 Co kept my
own counsel and persisted in doing so.
/ was solicited by parties in Washington
10 open a correspondence with them. /
never answered the letter making such
request; thought, as Governor Of Ten
nessee, could attend to the duties
which that Office imposed upon me. ]
was much more capable, in my official
capacity, OF hsiHg fully posted about the
condition Of our State thaa the Ten
nessee Congressman at Washington.
EXAGGERATED REPORTS
Reporter-Do you not think that the
reports spread in Washington in regard
to outrages committed in this State were
greatly exaggeratedf
Governor Senter-Yes. 6ye-fold. Ten
Dessee has not suffered from marauders
daring the past two or three months. 1t
was 20 guard against the possibility of
their future recurrence tLst asked for
troops.
THE COUNTY MARsHALs BILL.
The Legislature had. BY It's action, re-
fused to grant me the power 70 put down
oatlawry, and J intended that If any
more ouifakes occurred in this State il
could not be said that ! had not used
every measure 10 prevent them, and to
bring the culpriis to justice. The Legs
iasaIs bad already passed a very stringent
Law aeaiast the Ku-klux. but il could not
be enforced wifh0af physical power. ]
wanted the County Marshal BIN passed,
that might insure the peace and pF0sso,
fion ~ aVorr rifivan in Ianuasaaa