Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1874-06-17
PLAIN TALK ABOUT HOBBS.

The Union and american of Sum
day contained an editorial to which |
we alluded in our last issue, on the
subject of the Hobbs mystery" That |
journal is very anxious to have the |
Banner appear as prosecutor in the |
case, but just as careful not to deny |
that twelve thousand dollars had been |
paid Hobbs to resign the Office of
Comptroller, to which Col. John G. |
Burch succeeded, whether by accident |
or not, we leave for those who have
heard of the transaction to determine. |
The Banner declines to appear as
plaintiff or plaintiff IS attorney in the
case, but says:
The Banner, we take occasion to re-
mind our contemporary, did not origi- |
nate the rumors about this Hobbs |
mystery and for months and months |
kept silent while the air was thick |
with them. Affairs have reached that
point now, however, that the party
which the IT, & 4. and the State Gov
eminent land they are closely
allied essay to represent, is re-
ceiving more damaging blows,
prompted by this mystery" than
from all other causes combined. The
Banners well known opposition to
Radicalism, and our zeal in behalf of
a live, progressive and healthy Con-
servatism prompts us at last to suggest
} the query, if the interests of the party
T do not demand that this mystery"
or scandal, or whatever it may be
called, should be cleared up. At time
when Radicalism in this State is tot
tering and staggering from sheer weak
ness, it is rather sad to reflect that its
only hope for regaining its strength
should lie in the capital IL is able to
make out OF this " Hobbs mystery"
Under the circumstances, the problem
! simply forces itself on the attention Of
/ all, including the Banner, what should
be done under the circumstances
: EVERYBODY seems to concede that where
' there is so much smoke there must be
u some fire. The live, vital question in
= connection with the whole subject, il
= seems to US, is, is there a Jonah on
. board the party ship, and does the
u safety of the vessel demand that he
- should be thrown overheard? This il
the question, and should it be decided
8 in the affirmative, we now make tht
/ prediction in advance, that no friendly
,. whale will be in the neighborhood t
. rescue the unfortunate culprit.
y The Union and american undertake
Is TO read US homily for giving currenc!
r, to statements published in Radica
~ papers in connection with the afore
said mystery" Bless your refresh
gu ing innocence, 0 virtuOus u. and 4
ts Such artlessness Is enough 10 deceiv
nd US the very elect. win our gent
lie neighbOr tell us what it meant by il
allusiOn to " the famous public print
Is ing ring In connection with tn
etu Banner, and why it logged into tn
II most prominent place in its editorii
10 columns, without pTovocatiOn, an e>
le tract from a Radical paper connectin
cs the Banner with 1.-The public print
Gu ing swindle ~ Is 1t in q position il
Is volved in that "Hobb'smystery," not
speak Of other mysteries, that it can a
ford TO make such wantOn " insinueI
lg does?p As we have before remarked, OF
G.. neighbor is living In glass house, an
nj can not afford to fling even the lighte
pebbles at anybody. 1t is welcome
NC an occasional shower of tlippant squit
about the heavy man OF the Banner,
is such as il treated US to on Sunday, bl
nd 1t would be hardly healthy, under a
.ot the surroundings, 10 use heavier an
let munition. We have not resorted
ID anything weightier than pebbles on
is selves, and that in a playful sort
he way. Whether we shall bring one
to more of our heavy boulders to hear {
he the brittle and rickety "close corpor
so ton" will depend somewhat on Il
is provoeation we receive, and the nee
is of the Conservative party in the prer
ity ises. In any case, 1t Is the part
ID policy in the case of the " d A.
nd keep It's party lash In restraint
by place is TO play second fiddle, not
his lead, and 1t will learn this sooner
later.