Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1874-09-02
FROM THE FIRST DISTRICT.
what "a GiIIcuvaters Man Thinks OF
the Situntion
RUrLEDGE, Tenn, Aug. 25, IA

Aait 4ANuhtabh.
RUTLEDGE, Tenn, Aug. 25, "a.
EDITORS CHRONICLE: The excite.
ment over the county elections has
hardly been allowed to cool of till we
are called upon to enter into what, it is
believed, will prove one Of the most
exciting contests for the election of a
member to Congress from this District
that has occurred for several years. 1t
is to be hoped, however, that the peo-
pie will not lose their judgment, but,
while they very properly show deep
and fervid interest in the election Of
Representative, be on their guard
against the tricks and treacherous plans
which inscriptions men will be likely
to lay for the purpose of ensnaring the
unwary.
The two most prominent candidates
before the people now, and to whom 1t
is possible the contest will narrow down
before the election, are Hon. II. Il.
Butler, our present member, and Judge
Gillenwaters. They are both Repub-
licans, and although there is perhaps
more than one Democratic aspirant in
the district, the general disposition of
both parties is, 1 think, to let these
two make the race with a clear track
so far as other candidates are con-
corned.
There has been feeling of dissatis-
faction with Mr.. Butler amongst q
large and ever increasing number of
Republicans on various grounds for
the last three or four years; and il
that ingfnAA If oiy.infr loss and
less cause for such dissatisfaction "a
his constantly increasing experience
in public affairs might give one
grounds to believe, would be the case,
he has been all the time pursuing an
opposite course. Instead of showing
his gratitude to the people for re-
peatedly re-electiug him tD Con-
gress while still protesting
against some of his acts. he has
pretended to take il a an endorsement
in full of his course in every respect,
until it begins to look like he thinks
no one but himself can Toe elected from
the First Congressional District. II
had been told 50 often 10y his office
holders that there was not Republican
in the District, who could cope with him
upon the stump, and he had been let
alone so long, that we were really be
too smart for any body, and that we
would be compelled to resign ourselves
to our fate, at least for another term
But the scales have fallen from oul
eyes on this point, as / think will be
admitted by almost every one who
heard the speech of Judge Gillenwatsri
yesterday, at this place. It was Ger
tainly one of the most able politica
speeches that | ever heard, ant
was admitted by the Judge
opponent to be an effort o
extraordinary power 1t was eloquent
logical, pointed and convincing. | an
confident that it made many friend
for the Judge, as it certainly deserve,
10 do. He stated that he regretted tina
Mr.. Butler would not meet him as h
had been requested or rather notitie'
10 do, but he made no charges agains
him which he did not establish b.
ample documentary proof.
Mr.. Buffers record, as shown b.
him, was truly astonishing, even I
those who were prepared for much
Among other things, he proved tina
Mr.. Butler had written a letter TO som
paper, in which he said he wanted I
have the Civil Rights Bill passed.
It seemed 10 be the general desire 70
Mr.. Butler to have been here, to Sc
how he would have answered tn
charges brought against him. The pee
pie of this county, that is the masses
want fair play and are willing to hea
both sides. Still, do not think theI
was any feeling that Judge Gi'lenw;
ters took any unfair advantage of HI
opponents absence.
The Judges position seemed to met
with general approval, and | am sati
fed, that unless a change takes place
those who have so long reluctantly SUI
ported Mr.. Butler, will now gladly Civ
their allegiance to Judge CLEARWATER
1t may not be out of the way for N
to say, in conclusion, that | am NJ
writing because of any personal
will toward Mr.. Butler. l am not
sorehead, who has asked an office {
favor of any kind and been refuse,
Neither am l writing with the prom
Use of reward from any man or by re;
son of any favor already done me, bl
am writing as a citizen of this coul
" in the interests, as | consider, of IL
people. GRANGER.
EPOM ITYION CnTTNTY