Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1874-03-11
FIRST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.
To Honest john from common nm
TANfpIco, TENN, March 6, 1874.

TANrPICo, Tenn, March 6, 1874.
EDITORS CHRONICLE: l am quite cap
tivated by the pleasant manner in which
Common Billp criticises communiea-
ton OF mine that appeared in the CHRONI-
Gle a short time since, in regard to the as
pirants for Congress from the First District.
am not speaking ironically, either. He
writes in such an honest, straightforward
manner that he means and believes Just
what he says. 1t is so common and so easy
for people to say what they dou't mean for
the sake of accomplishing some selfish end
that il is certainly refreshing to hear man
express an honest opinion, even If it diff
fer from our own.
Indeed, "Bill," there is nothing 1 would
like better than to take your advice to
"knock around and get into the light of
things.n But as havn't the opportunity
to knock around" much, except in my
own neighborhood, the best / can do is to
make use of what light have as well as |
can.
II have done Mr.. Butler injustice / am
sorry for it. / am sure l didn't intend it.
! 1t is true the printers made me say that
| being an excellent claim agent, etc, was
! nothing to his credit as private citizen
| but l wrote it nothing to his discredit.'
And meant it, But there is a difference
| between public and private life. \ private
citizen might have taken stock in the
| Credit Mobiler' without being ashamed
| to let il be known, and yet have been an
honorable man but held by a member of
| Congress, what temptation to vote money
| into his own pocket! There is the demon
alizing tendency. SO with the salary
grab" Still, the additional salary is
small matter-though think the old sala-
| xuoo anouUb-hnt the XVaV IL was done
| If the people do not raise up their voice
against the too eveident tendency of such
| measures, where will they stop? admit
| that those who make the biggest noise are
not always the best friends of reform
Some cry "stop thief, - in order that attend
| ton many be turned from their own de-
| linquencies, whilst there are Others who
| only take the opportunity to act in the
most corrupt manner themselves, that are
| loud in denouncing corruption for the sake
of gaining popularity. But because bad
! men support q cause is no reason why
good men should forsake it.
Now, when Mr.. Butler persists in voting
on principle for such measures as L sim
cerely believe have very evil tendency,
how can 1 be honest and not say that
prefer a man whose principles are nearer
| in accord with my own? If am wrong,
show me my error, "Bul," and /, unlike
the man who didn't like DR.. Fell" /
will like your man all the better.
When it becomes constitutional to elect
! two members from each District, a "leg.
islative member" who shall devote all his
| time to legislation, and a business mem.
| ber,n who shall have voice but no vote,
and shall give his attention wholly
| to the business affairs of his constituents,
shall be in favor of Mr.. Butler for "busi-
ness member" for I believe he would be a
| first rate man in that position; but until
/ II. %sI~ al In. II m
not consider him my first choice for 'leg-
| islative member
In conclusion, "Bill," come down to
Tampico, if you think you can convert US.
We are mostly open to conviction. l shall
be glad to see you, actually live here,
and aln not writing from another place,
as you seem to think. When l said 1 was
| unacquainted with Mr.. Butler 1 meant 1
had no personal acquaintace with him,
and was, therefore, not opposed to him
because OF any i'll will. Write soon.
Yours truly, HONEST JOHN.