Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-12-16
NASHVILLE.
A Graphic Letter from Our Capital.



maxwell HOUSE,.
NASHVILLE, December Ia. ls7O.J
NJ promised letter of personals mus
be postponed, as matters of more imme
date Importance must have precedence
If this letter proves to be longer than
the general limit of communications fol
the press, trust it will not be destitute Of
interest to the readers of the LEDGER,
Having several themes to select from,
choose to begin on
THE PROPOSED STATE OF FRANKLIN.
The reader of Tennessee history is
familiar with the rise and decline, and
ignominious downfall of the State Of
Franklin, which included in its general
boundaries that important section of the
state known as East Tennessee, which
has produced and sent forth without ex.
hausting the supply, SO many great men;
but modesty forbids an enumeration at
present. In alljustice to the brave, hardy
pioneers Of Wataugua or East Tennessee,
they meant well in setting up the State
of Franklin. and but for a little question
among themselves, not decided then or
by their descendants, as to who should
hoid the reins of government they
would have succeeded, for the parent
Stste of North Carolina was in no con-
dition to enforce submission in her re-
bellious colony west of the Smoky noun
tains But without going into the his
tory of the Franklinites it is sufficient
to say that the people of Eastern Ten
nessee have always considered them
selves entitled to State of their own,
and all the appurtenances thereof, such
as capital, Governor, an Executive
mansion, penitentiary, and other little
conveniences usually provided by an in
dependent sovereign people. In 1861,
when secession swept over Middle and
West Tennessee, and the conscript Off
Ger overran East Tennessee, the people
up there talked freely of seeding and
setting up the State of Franklin. Some
thirty thousand of them seeded across
the mountains. but like chickens, as the
quotation goes, they came home to
roost" and to rule the roast at last. For
time East Tennessee controlled the
State, and her gallant sons cheeriully
did the voting and little oifice-holding
necessary The enfranchisement of
the late (but now loyal rebels of
West and Middle Tennessee has
convinced our friends in the upper end |
of the State that their services may not
be required for some years to come. In
other words, Republican East Tennessee
wants divorce from the Democratic
divisions Of the State. The little Sia-
mese twin wants to be cut loose from
bis big brother, who is getting all the
chicken pie, even if it kills him. He
thinks this is good chance TO kick out
of the partnership and set up shop on
his own account. The project which
has long beenttalked of took definite
shape yesterday by the introduction OF
two bills, both looking to the same end,
and both passed on the first reading.
To-day they were both read, and
discussion ensued, in which 1t
became evident that the move
was in serious earnest. One was
brief 1t was offered by Mr. Smith, the ,
member from Washington, who made a
forcible and an excellent speech in its
support. Mr.. Kinney, the Floater from '
Green and other counties, presented the I
other bill. This was prepared evidently q
with care and by master hand. 1t ,
makes minute provision for holding an
election in the thirty-one counties Of |
East Tennessee for selecting delegates
to frame State Constitution, mention
ing that they shall meet at Knoxville,
Setemher / 1871, and provides for issu-
ing bonds and assuming a proportionate
share of the present State debt Of Ten
nessee, a..4 is a mature bill in all i'm
portant particulars Both bills passed
on the second reading almost unanimous
IL, and we're referred to a committee
of fve-three from East Tennessee and
two from the rest Of the State. Town {
send, of Shelby, is chairman Of the com {
mitiee, and / look for the committee to I
report tomorrow in favor Of bill look i
ing to the proposed separation. Mem t
bers from all parts of the State are in v
favor Of letting our East Tennessee C
friends go. The aspirants for Office in !
that section are delighted, but some of d
the heavy taxpayers, such as Charley a
Mc0hee for Instance, are quite shsky 7
on the subject II the separation takes I
place il will be done in all kindness be-
tween and among the members, for i
lind that the West aud East Tennessee 4
members vote together on many impor-
tant measures, and socially, at least, I
they are on the best Of terms But as
East Tennessee is destined to be man
uiaeiuring district at no distant day, and
the other sections are devoted principally
TO cotton culture. there is not, and never
can BE- an exact similarity Of Interests.
Hence il is that legislation Is often inju-
rious 10 one section when another is ben
Gifted There are good arguments on
both sizes Of the question, perhaps, but
the State Of Frnklin has the advantage
so far, and stands much better chance
than the dynasty Of Napoleon or the
Memphis waier-works.
a. ANESDzEST-srArE OF MADISON.
/ cannot pass from this subject with
ont introducing an amendmen, 10 Mr..