Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1872-10-16
THE GUBERNATORrAL DEBATE.
Freeman and Brown I'm KnoxviIe.

THE GUBERNATORhAL DEBATE.
Freeman and Brown I'm KnOxviiIe
Monday was the day fixed upon by the can
ddates for Governor to discuss State matters be-
fore the people of Knsx County. About half
past one o clock the Courthouse was comforta-
bly, filed. Hon. A. A. Freeman opened in a
forcible sensible and able speech, in substance
as follows;
REPUBLICAN POLICY.
Mr. Freeman opened by saying that hereto
fore in all canvasses for Governor of Tennessee
the Republican candidate has been called upon
to vindicate the acts and policy Of the Republic
can party. But fortunately for me and for you
this vindication is wholly unnecessary here to-
day. True, the Democratic party has hereto
fore opposed every step taken by us Republic
cans. True, the Democratic party has fought
the former policy Of the Republicans, True,
the Democrats, with Gov. Brown at their head,
have declared that the various Constitutional
Amendments have been tyrannical and oe-
structiye Of liberty. But here, to-day, the
whole Democratic party has como up beforethe
American people and solemnly declared upon
their honor that all that the Republicans have
done is Essential to Just government" There
is, then, occasion to vindicate the principles
of the Republican party, when our life-long
and sworn enemies come into court and solemn
" admit that for the last twelve years they have
been in the wrong and wo have been in the
right.
WHERE BROWN STANDS.
Gov. Brown i. getting to be such good Re-
publican that expect soon to take him into the
Republican Church. But while he believes in
"love the.brethren" When he advances far
enough to vote for Grant, then we will ladmit
him to full fellowship. Indeed, am of opin-
! ion that the news from Pennsylvania, Ohio and
| Indiana will make full convert of him yet
| BROWN 5 ADMINISTRATION.
In bis cd rni Of State soAa;rs Nj
! Brown credit for honesty of purpose but what
is the use of honesty UNI less there is wisdom
| say hero that every single measure of Browns
| has been blunder. He has not shown himself
! capable Of managing the affairs of this great
| State.
RAILROAD MATTERS.
Now the Governor boasts great deal about
| having reduced the State debt. How has this
been done? Has this deqt been paid out of the
taxes collected from the peope2 Not at all.
The Governor has sold the States interest in
railroads for bonds and in this way the State
debt has been decreased. But these railroads
have been sold at q very low price. Besides,
the Governor can not even claim credit for this
| policy because the law was passed and put in
| to operation before he became Governor. 1t is
true the State debt has been reduced but it
has only been done by sacrificing the property
of the ssState, by selling for u few hundred
State bonds roads, that cost US millions of dol
lars.
WHO GOT THE BONDS?
A great deal has been said about Radical
Bond Thieves" Now who got these railroad
bonds Many persons think that the Republic
cans are exclusively responsible for the issu-
ance of these railroads bonds. Such is not the
fact. The Democrats and Republicans both
voted to issue the bonds, and both received
them after they were issued. And l say here
that most of the bonds went into the hands of
Democrats. If any Republican stole any bonds,
L say punish him to the utmost, for Republi-
cans taught better. But if any Democrat
has stolen bonds, say forgive him, because
Democrats don't know any better. This, sup
pose, is the reason no Democrat has ever been
punished for stealing bonds.
} THE PENITENTIARY LEASE
Tho Governor prides himself on the peniten.
tary lease. What are the facts? The peniten-
Governor leased It for 5000 a clear loss OF
$50 000 or of $500 900 for the five years the ease
has to run. And prove this by good Demo-
cratic authority, by Col. Spears Democratic
member of the Legislature and now Democratic
Elector in the Third district Not only this
but $400 600 wore offered for this very same lease
and was not accepted.
Mr.. Freeman then went into full history of
the kuklux laws passed by Congress for sup
pressing outrages in the South. He showed how
the vigorous execution of those laws by Presi-
dent Grant secured tho peace that now exists
in the Carolinas. He thought that nothing
more commended Grant to the country as firm
ruler determined to protect the citizeus of the
United States and the States in their persons
| and property. The speaker said that he would
support Gen. Grant cheerfully for his ablo ad-
ministration, for his honest collection of the
revenues, for his faithful application of tho taxes
collected and for his sincere purpose to do
right.
FIRE SCHOOLS.
! Mr.. Freemon said he was in favor of State
, system of public schools that would give to
| every child good education. He favored a
, | State tax for that purpose, His competitor said
. in general way that he favored education, but
would not say how it should be given.
. | He thought free schools would encourage i'm
migration and be the best way to build up the
State.
He favored immigration and thought meas
9 ures should be taken to encourage it. His
/, speech on these subjects was sensible, progress
i've and satisfactory to that public spirit now
. prevailing everywhere in favor of these great
4 | means of recuperatng our State. Mr.. Freeman
! also reviewed Gov. Browns pet policy of rails
= ing revenue by the taxing of bonds which he
q characterized as practical reputation. His
a faction.
i Gov browns REPLY.
The Governor in reply, defended his policy
of selling tho delinquent railroads of the State
and claimed it had reduced the public deb
about thirteen millions Of dollars. He said under
Radical" rule about fourteen millions of dol.
lars in State bonds had been issued for rail,
roads, but he did not say that ticenty-Siu out o
the thirtysfve railroad officials receiving then
acre democrats or rebels. He charged thai
: some ofthese bonds were misapplied, but die
= not dare say whether by the twenty-six Demo-
. Gratis or the nine Republicans His defense o
: the Penitentiary lease was also evasive. HI
, argued favorably to the policy of such lease
Lola nod nj ho vNt,h1 Ito Il