Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1873-05-01
Correspondence of the Yorkville Enquirer
LETTER FROM CHATTANOOGA.
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn, April


"NIeGER IN THE wooDPILE."
Gov. Brown, of this State, has lately COM
mitted grave offense, for which he is being
severely criticized by the standard Democratic
newspapers. When the Legislature adjourn
ed, he rendered the members banquet at the
Maxwell House. Now, one and only one, of
the members of that mighty body is negro,
Keeble by name. Keeble is the only negro
ever elected to an important office in Tennes-
see, and he solely on account Of having seven
or eight of our sanguine Democratic friends
for opponents. By dividing the enemy, he
whipped them in detail, and rode into the
council halls of the State backed by hand
some majority. Ofcourse, this only negro in
the Legislature has been the subject of much
talk and criticism. 1t has been asserted by
those who watched the proceedings OF the
Legislature closely, that he was the smartest
man in the body.
But no matter for this. Governor Brown
gave banquet to the Legislature, irrespective
of party. AS the time approached for the
wine and speeches to flow, there was much
speculation as to whether the Governor would
invite this solitary African. Governor Brown
was Major-General in the Southern army
and i, a straight Democrat. But speculation
was set at rest when the invitations were issued,
for ye African was included. He appeared
at the banquet, dressed like black prince,
and responded to one of the toasts |! On &C
count thereof there has been great clatter-
ing among Democratic shins and skull bones,
and the Governors action severely comment
ed upon But there should be no undue fuss
about it. The Governor paid for the supper,
and had right to invite whom he chose. AS
long as Keeble has the name of being the
smartest man in the body, it is not worth
while to make fuss about his taking wine
and cake with his fellow members.
By the way, in comparison to other Legls'
latures, Tennessee has pretty fair one. 1t
adjourned without having done any harm, if
no good. But there is some good to be placed
to its credit. 1t passed common school law
and patched up the State credit so that the
machine can run until next session.
Speaking of the Legislature reminds me
that the plan in this State might be adopted
in South Carolina to advantage. Here the
members are elected for two years, receive
four dollars day while actually in session,
and if they remain in session over seventy-hve
days in the two years, they receive no pay tor
the extra time. In this way they manage 10
get the business done up handsomely >at small
expense to the State. Under this salutary
law the Legislative expenses of Tennessee are
not over twenty-five thousand dollars year.
The plan is good, for there is no use fooling
away so much money as some Legislatures DO
for so little benefit. Under this restriction
of seventy-fve days session within two years,
Tennessee has all the law she needs, and often
more than she needs
When Brownlow ruled the State, the Leg
islature used to be in session nearly the year
round, adjourning only now and then tor
fourth of July or Christmas or something like
that There was method in their madness,
however, for not half of them could make the
amount they received as salary at any other
line of business.
CHATTANOOGA.
This infant city is getting along in man.