Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1872-10-05
SMOKED OUT AT LAST, BUTN0THING
DENIED.

At last we have succeeded in forcing one
of Governor Browns organs to notice the
grave charges against his administration,
relativet to the giganticfrau that been
perpetrated on the tax payers of Tennessee
whereby they have lost millions of dollars
in the disposition of certain delinquent
railroads. No, we do not claim that aoe
have forced them to speak out, either, but
public opinion, intensified by the exposure
of this fraud, has forced them into an atti-
tude of defending their favorite and his
bungling, incompetent and corrupt adj
miuistration. We ask those who
have read Senator Gibson's late speech de-
Iivered here, with its array of facts and
figures unanswerable, to take up the big
organ" of yesterday morning and read an
editorial contribution entitled " Sublime
Insolence," and see how the issues are
evaded. We pass over its personal allu-
sions as entirely unworthy of notice. No
gentleman attempts to answer serious
charges, affecting all the people of great
State, by indulging in personal abuse. We
have occasionally condescended to notice
the little fellows whose names are
understood as the nominal editors
and proprietors of that sheet We
are perfectly willing to have the public
pass upon our personal merits as compared
with these miserable calumniators and
tools of whatever ring or clique will pay
them for their services. They are ire
sponsible, financially or personally. But
personal merits are not at issue in this
case. The public cares nothing about
this.
But the question at issue is, whether or
not. under Gov. Browns administration,
certain delinquent roads have been dis
posed of without loss to the State. We
charge that they have not. Do they de-
nyit? Read the editorial contribution
in the "big organ" to which we
have made allusion. Not word of de-
NAL. Not a figure given to disprove
specific charges. Not word is said about
the Winchester and Alabama road, which
cost the State 81 100000 and was sold for
$500, OOO-not to the highest bidder, but at
minimum uatuc. The parties who bought
the road for 5000 Immediately disposed
of their interest at an advance of 5000.
The question is, why was this $4,000 not
saved to the State ?
The McMinnville and Manchester road
cost the State 81, 100000, and it wss sold
for $500, 900 in State bonds The last Leg
islature passed an act to indemnify the
road against repayment of alaim of So
600 due the United States, which sum the
State will eventually have to pay. This
will leave $500 realized from that road.
Like the one above mentioned, the pur-
chasers from the State Immediately dis
posed of it at a large advance on the amount
they paid for it. The question to be con-
sidered is, why was it that the road was
not first sold for the highest price and that
amount saved to the State?
The Edgefield and Kentucky road cost
the State 81 500, 900 and was sold for $780,
600. The purchasers turned right around
and sold it for an advance of S225, 900 on
their bid. Why is it that the State did not
receive this 1925, 900? Is.it not reasonable
that the purchasers would just as willing
ly have paid the State this large sum addi-
tional? .-.-r..-..s r--t -r-fs
The Memphis and GAINESVILLE road,
which cost the State of Tennessee 3,0OO,-
600, was sold for 81, zoo, 900 without giving
notice to the world that the highest bidder
might have it. The Nashville and
Northwestern road cost the State
S4,5OO,0OO. 1t is one of the most important
roads in the State. 1t is one of the outlets
for the grain, flour, bacon, &C., of the great
Northwest to the markets of the cotton
States, and will always do heavy bust
ness. 1t was sold for 50, 4OO, 600 to the
Nashville and Chattanooga road, its former
lessee. In settlement with the State, the
latter road, as lessee of the former, was al
lowed claim, which covered all the rents
accruing to the State, and $535,0oO besides.
The commissioners agreed to give 500, OOC
in Statebonds in settlement of this amount
Tho whole transaction in reference to this
road Shows fraud on its face.
Now thesn are specific charges. They
cannot be met ny general denials, or by
mean, ungentlemanly personal attacks
1t will not do to say that Judges McKin.
ney, Wright and Fogg are honorable men,
and therefore the best was done that could
be done under the circumstances. We