Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-08-13
THE COMPTROLLERsHIP.
A Card from Ex-COmptrOller Hobbs
Col. Burch Fully Sustained.

| A Card from Ex-COmptrOlIer Hobbs
Col. Burch Fully Sustained.
| To the Union and American: 1
WAvERLY, Aug. II, 1S73.-Having been
absent for several days on business in the
| country, returned home Saturday evening,
the 9th inst, when my attention was called
to an article which appeared in the Nash.
vile Bulletin of the It'll, headed "Sale Of
the Office of Comptroller Of the State"
have 'lso seen the card Of the Hon. Jno.
G. Burch in your issue of the 9th, (he
truth of which am ready to verify,) which
so fully refutes the false allegations con-
tanned IN the Bulletins article that scarce
| ly deem 1t necessary for me to come before
the public with this statement, unless It be
further to contradict the statement of the
Bulletin that / had acknowledged
that l had received $4,000 for the
Office and treated it as bus ness affair; for
take it that the observing and thinking
people will at once comprehend that no
higher and no other motive prompted the
said article in the Bulletin than to snbserve
the interest of the party of which 1t is the
organ ct Nashville. Some perhaps would
appreciate the noble and tender charity of
the Bulletin in transferring the responsible
ty Of tae "ugly transaction" It publishes,
to others, excuslng me upon the ground
that l was Gan unsophisticatei man from
the country not accustomed to the wiles of
politicians in and around the capitol, fond
of my horn and hounds, and never havirg
had so much money before as $4,000"
fail to see it in that light, and the extrava.
CANT charity of the Bulletin is wasted upon
me. The cause of my resignation was al
nounced, and truly announced at the time
through the press, to-wit: The condition of
my health, having seen advised by eminent
physicians, VINO were intimately acquaint-
ed with me that it would be at great peril if
continued longer in the office, the ceftif-
Gates of whom are herewith attached:
JoHNsoNvILLE, Aug, IL, 1S73.-This is to GER
tify that have known Capt. W. W. Hobbs init
nately for over Is years, and for many years was
his attending physician, during which time he
has had frequent attacks of protracted cough,
which, with other indications, led me TO believe
there is a predspositiOn to pulmonary consump-
ton. L have repeatedly expressed this opinion
to him, SO he could avoid exposure and other
causes that tend to develop this disease. In my
opinion he has inherited a predispOsitiOn to this
disease, as his father, brother and three sisters
have died with consumption, and a brother at
this time in bad health from the same disease.
Consequently, as friend and physician have
counseled him often in regard to avoiding all ex-
posture, and the building up of his physical
strength. Upon his election to the office of
Comptroller, expressed my doubts to himself
as well as other persons, to his physical abil-
ity tG fill so combining and arduous position with
justice to himself. The Office he occupied, is sit
uated in the State-hOuse at Nashville, a build
ing which generates mu :h humidity or damp
ness of the atmosphere, as l am informed, and
will tend TO the development Of colds, coughs,
ETC., particularly so in persons predisposed TO
lung affections. In 10y opinion, Capt. W. W.
Hobbs health suffered from the location of his
office, too close confinement to business, change
in diet, want of regular outdoor exercise, etc,
and he did his duty to himself and family in re-
signing the office OF Comptroller Of the State.
P. T. GOULD, NJ. d.
WAvERLY, TENN. Aug. II, IS73.-Capt Hobbs
Waverly. Dear Sir: Inreply to your request,
would state that when applied to by You dur
ing your COMPREHENSIVE in regard 10 your
health, and the effect likely to result from your
close confinement to the business OF the office,
very freely advised you that if an arrangement
could not be effected by which you could be re-
leased of the close stay at the Capitol, that the
confinement aud mental labor necessary 10 pro-
per discharge of your duties would most proba-
bly, excite into active existence the disease
(phthsis,) with which so many of your family
died.
have known you and other members of the
family for years, and would, as before, advise
you to avoid sedentary life or business of any
character that requires great mental labor or
close physical confinement. Yours truly,
JNo. NJ. DRIVER, NJ. D.
WAvERLY, Aug. 10, IS73.-Thil is to certify
that have know Capt. W. W. Hobbs intimate
ly for about seven wears, and knew the family
well several years previous TO the time that
have been intimately acquainted with him. /
have been his family physician for six years
past, during which time he has had several at
jackson severe coughs, which, together with other
indications, have induced me to believe there
is strong predspositOn to pulmonary consump-
tion. have frequently expressed my opinion to
him, that he had strong pTedispOsitiOn to con-
sumption, and that he should be very careful
not to expose himself to damp and cold; if so,
he would sooner or later in life die of cOnsUmp-
ton. During the spring of 1872 he had severe
attack, principally affecting his lungs, at which
time it was my opinion that he never would have
any more health. believed that he would 90
off in consumption. think he has inherited
the disease. His father, three or four sisters and
a brother have died with consumption, and he
has brother now lingering with the same dis
ease. As his family physician and a friend,
have admOnished him in regard to exposure and
the building up of his general health. 1855
In my opinion Capt. ". W. Hobbs health suf-
fered in consequence of the close confinement of
his Office as Comptroller of State, change OF 10
cality, diet and water. I think the resignation
of his Office as Comptroller of State was duty
to himself and family.
WIN. SLAYDEN, MD,
AS to my continued ill-health while in the
city, respectfully refer thoss interested in
this matter, to DR.. W. NJ. Wright, Superin-
tendent of Prisons, and DR.. j. +. BUST,
one or the other of whom was treating me
all the time. As to my official acts while
IN the office of Comptroller, invite rigid
investigation, and the strict SCRUTINY Of an
interested public. In justice to his Excel
lency, Gov. Jno. g. Brown, will state that
while we differed upon one or two questions
of law, our relations were of tho most
pleasant character; that be manifested |
lively interest in the success of my admins |
tration; was my daily adviser upon all i'm.
portant official matters, and refused to &C.
cept my resignation, which was rendered |
one month prior TO tie acceptance. l will |
luther Estate that the present ineumben,,
the Hon. Jno. G. Burch, never approached
me upon the SUI ject of my resignation,
either by act, word, insinustion, or other |
wise; and that did not know that he was |
to be my successor until ne handed me his |
Commission to take charge of the Office, |
after my resignation was accepted.
Very respectfully, W. W. HOBBS.