The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1874-10-09
The Gubernatorial Candidates.

space for nero passing notice OF the
tloba.e between the candidates for Gov
ernor at this place on Wednesday,
The crowd was large and attentive. Mr..
Maynard led Off in a speech OF an hour
and half. the larger portion Of which
he consumed in arraigning the admins
tration of John C. Brown and com.
menting upon iis alleged imperfeciions
and abuses. The bill of indictment was
strongly drawn, and tho prosecution
conducted with adroitncss and vigor.
We have, however heard Mr.. Maynard
on number of occasions when we
thought he was more forcible ard nHe"
49, ,--rwargumcnt and delivery. Tn his
main speech he touched the civil rights
bill little gingcr!y. We understood
him TO say that II WINS not the obnoxious
measure II had been represented, and
that It's passage would not change the
relative condition Of the races in Ten
nessec. lie was not much for mixed
schools, and charged that the report OF
hi, Thorn Grove speech MS published in
the Democratic paper nj Knoxville was
grossly incorrect. We think it likely
that Mr.. MAYNARD satisfied most Of his
friends here, though we don't believe II
was altogether, the speech they had
been led TO expect.
We had never heard Judge Porter.
and confess that we were agrceably dis
appointed. lie is not an orator like
Brutus, but an earnest, forcible debater,
who has his points well in hand and his
facts thoroughly impressed on his mind.
He appeared before the people Of Nc
MINI county comparative stranger,
but endorsed by the great Democratic
Conservative party Of the State. as their
nominee for Governor, and he asked a
candid and patient hearing for what he
had to say. His competitor had assaied
John G. Browns administration, aud
sought to hold him porter responsible
for It's acts. lie was not there for that
special purpose, but would notice few
Of the charges in passing. Gov. Brown
had found the State incumbcred with a
debt Of forty millions; II had been re.
duce.i to nearly twenty millions. That
wa. ...-.,"'h'..- H. --~.rnii,~~ '"sd
referred to the "printing swindlc." The
public printers had made their charges
under law PASSED by Republican To-
gislaturc, taking what the law allowed
them--no more, no less. The funding
bill, upon which Mr.. MAYNARD com
mented with so much animation, was
not a party measurc--it was of Repnb.
lican origin, and had been put through
by the aid of Republican votes. The
ubiquitous" assessment law stood in
the same category--neithcr was 1t a
party measure, having been advocated
and voted for alike by Republicans and
Democrats; but il contained obnoxious
features, and he was in favor Of their
repeal, and n modification OF the law so
that, while making the bondholder and
the monied man uncover his property
TO the tax assessor, il would DO less CD.
jectionnblc TO the masses, and one Of
his first act, after being inauguratcd as
Governor would be a recommendation
10 the Legislature 10 that effect. The
Penitentiary lease, which seemed to
weigh like nightmare on the Repub.
lican stomach. was a fair transaction,
and had proved beneficial, MS il had for
merly been run at heavy expense TO
the Taxpayers but was now yielding
thirty-three thousand dollars per year
into the State Treasury.
But II was on The civil rights bill
where Judge Porter made his strongest
points-that measure conceived in sin
and brought forth in iniquity, and was
intended by It's auth ors TO affect the So.
cial status ond degrade and humiliate
the white people of Tennessee and Of
other Southern States. lie TOOK up Mr.
Maynard's record, and handled il with
damaging effect, insisting that no dis
Chalmers nor lodging could weaken tho
array of facts lie presented against his
competition on this subject, nor relieve
him from their consequences. He stood
upon tho record time and again in favor
Of the offensive measure, and could not
escape or avoid the responsibility Of the
positions thus deliberately taken. All
through this part Of his speech Judge
Porter evidently had tho crowd with
him, who seemed to DO deeply impross-
cd by his facts and arguments. t
We have only mentioned few of the
points Of the debate. Judge portcr's
effort in the main was able aud manly,
aud his friends here arc now satisfied
that their cause 10 In competent hands.
Mr.. Maynard rarely faila to satisfy his