Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1872-07-17
THE COUNTY ELECTION.
Wnoxvilie's Half Dozen the Big likes .
of ehe Contests.

Tho race for crunty officers grows warmer as
the day of election draws nearer. The number
of the candidates, and especially those of the
political party of which the Knoxville clique
seems to hold lease, is becoming smaller
by degrees and beautifully less. A Democrat
may be candidate for public honors in the
morning, but cannot tell "what an hour may
bring FORTH" and may be unwillingly retired to
private life before evening. The machine
works on regardless of the protests of its VIC
tins, and heads are cutoff with little regard to
whom they belong. A number of gentlemen
have been led to the stocks and decaptated,
while still others have been in custody, but are
demonstrating against the proceeding.
Mr.. Lewis was first led up. He then declined
to have his aspiring head taken off, believing
his services as Sheriff were invaluable to the
county, but after some refractory signs, he
meekiy consented, and was gracefully borne
from the contest to dream of the honors and
emoluments of the sheriffalty in the future, when
Hudiburg shall have been sufficiently reward
ed for his faithful services to the party, by once
more offering defeat at the hands of Gossett
Next came Jim King and Maj. Gratz JIM 5
head was taken off, and the victim scarcely
groaned. The Major proved refractory. The
Ring thought him tough customer" per-
decapitation.
Then came Esquire Yarnel He was the
only candidate for County Court Clerk, repre-
senting that party, but the !'Ring'' was dissatis
fed with him, and what was to be done2 1t
was admitted that he was sound politically, but
ne was not the kind of stock the ring wanted to
keep. He was meritorious himself, but could
not point to an ancestry satisfactory to
them, He did not hail from one of the F,Fs.and
couldn't pass muster. Besides he had COM
mitted the indiscreton of wearing coat of the
wrong color during the late unpleasantness.
Therefore it was decided that his head must
Mace
Not consentng with that willingness which is
characteristic of loyal Democracy, his case was
taken under advisement, and the victim has
been kept in painful suspense for more than a
week. His head depends upon future develop.
ments If it is finally thought impracticable to
take him off the track the ring will swear they
never thought of doing so.
But the "unkindest cut of all, was cutting
off Dick McCallums head, after he had been
dattered with the hope that he was to retain it
lustrous half dozen. lie submitted to the
operation but to say that he enjoyed it would
be n wonderful departure from even the proba-
bility of truth. But ho has also retired to
dream of the beauties of the "ono term sys-
tenn
In the mean time those who enjoy the favor
of the clique, are going toward with its COM
mission in their pockets and using all the APP
pliances known to the profession, to incur the
good graces of the dear people. Button. holine
may be seen at ali hours of the day and late al
night. Spiritual comfort is dispensed by the
quart or gallon. Handshaking is frequent and
cordial. Small favors are lavishaby bestowed
larger ones in proportion. Prices for entertain
ment range lower, and bar room loafers swear
the millennium has dawned. In anticipation o
subordinate positions, yships-numerou
individuals are enthused, and feeling a foot tall
Gr than they appear The machine run By
admirably, and each one of them feels himselfi
yeritable " Big Ike