Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1874-03-25
FROM THE FIRST CONGRESSIONAL
DISTRICT.
Some Comments About Congregational
Aspirants.
TAMp1co, TENN, March q, 1874.

TAMp1Co, Tenn, March q, 1874.
EDITORS CHRONICLE: If one may be-
licve the Joaesboro' Herald and T5'ibune,
Judge Gillenwaters is the coming man for
Congress from the First District. And if
he is the honest and honorable man which
that paper represents him to be land hope
he Isl, and is in favor of reforming the
abuses of which Mr.. Butler is accused of
being guilty, and for which he is so bitterly
denounced by some of his opponents, see
no reason why he should not receive the
support of the large number of voters in the
District who believe it would be for our
best interests that a change be made. But
from what have read in the Herald and
Tribune, am compelled to conclude that
its main reason for wishing a change is
that those office seekers who failed to get
office through Mr.. Butler may succeed in
doing so if Judge Gillenwaters should be
elected. The following is quotation from
a recent number of that paper:
1--WE are well aware there is ter.
rible effort being made by the present
office holders to secure the election of the
man who has placed them where they are,
and on whom they are dependent for flu
ture support, but the masses are becom-
ing tired of seeing men retained in office
equally as good, if not better, who should
share part of the spells at least. Some men
who have been promised favors time and
again, and whom we know to be worthy
gentlemen, can not be persuaded into this
race with the hope of reward, as promises
have so often failed. But they are now at
work for one in whom all have conf
dence.N
So it the "spoils after all that so much
fuss is made about, and not reform Now
will the Herald and Tribune inform the
"massesn who it says "are becoming
tired of seeing men retained in office, etc.
how this will benefit them, or after read
ing Webster's definition of spoils {" that
which is taken by violence or without
license robbery; waste; corruption ~,
say that this is the doctrine which it advo-
Gates
If the Herald and Tribune desires to
secure for Judge Gillenwaters the support
Of the common people who don't expect
to ask for any Office, but who are only in
terested in securing honest and competent
men for representatives, / can not see how
it expects this to influence them. We don't
want to elect new man Just because a
few persons have been disappointed in
getting Office through Mr.. Buffers infiu-
ence. The first duty of our representatives
in Congress is to study what the welfare OF
the whole country demands, and to pass
such laws as will, in their judgment, bring
| about the desired result. They are not
elected merely for the purpose of getting
places for a few office seekers, though
| fear they too often act as if this were theil
main business, which must be conducted
in the manner best calculated to secure
| their reelection.
| / am not writing for the purpose of find
| ing fault merely. I am anxious to get a
the truth. Let US fairly understand each
other. If Judge Gillenwaters advocates
reform and is in earnest he will have nj
reason to fear the most minute inquiry int
his principles. He is the man we want
But, on the other hand if the "spoils ar
all he is after, we will have to look arounC
for somebody else. Let US hear from you
Judge.
In conclusion, would thank tn
CHRoNICLE for its fair manner of present
ing all sides of the question, for which i
deserves the support of every fair-mindet
Republican in the District.
HONEST JOHN.