Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1874-07-25

Kings estate for nearly year, and be |
has never insisted on refunding to the
county any part of the commission re-
ceiyed by Judge King nor has he ever
notified the county authorities that he
considered the taking of this commits
sion illegal"
He says my salary is fixed by law at
$500 per annum. the same as that
paid to Chancellers and Circuit Judges
all over the State.
Section 3, Of the act of March I'D,
1873, provides, THAT the Judge of
the county court of Montgomery, who
holds the Criminal court for Mont
gomery, and who also by law holds the
Circuit Court of Houston county, shall
receive a salary of $500 per annum.
which shall be paid out of the State
Treasury"
My competitor says under the new
constitution a man cannot hold two
Offices at the same time.
He announces himselfi in the Clarks-
vile papers as a candidate for County
Judge of Montgomery, and In the
Houston Times, as candidate for
Circuit Judge of Houston.
He says that under the constitution
of 1870, Judge cannot receive any
perquisites of office, and consequently
cannot take pay as financial agent.
This part of the constitution of 1870
was taken from the constitution of
1884, and was In full force when the
Legislature passed the law making it
the duty of the court to allow the
Judge compensation as financial agent.
The Legislature evidently did not con-
slider Financial Agency" an office,
or the compensation in any sense
perquisite of Judicialoifiee. In this
respect they differed from my compel
itor.
He says had as well receive the
So 90 per day, as this commission. La
the first place, the court has not in
structed me to receive any 50 90 per
day, and | am not in the habit of act
ing without authority. In the second
place, the So 90 per day mentioned in
the code, is Judiciary salary. The
81 200 per annum, allowed kimble,
Bently and King, was in lieu of this,
and the 800 per annum allowed me
by the county. is in lieu of this. The
law declares [ shall receive salary as
Judge, and compensation as financial
agent. | receive the one, and my
competitor thinks it legal. | receive
the other and my competitor declares
it illegal
But it is useless to discuss the ques-
ton as to whether these sections OF the
code are repealed or not repealed
whether certain State laws are in force
or not in force-the people, acting
through their agents, the Magistrates,
have voluntarily allowed me compensa-
ton for services they think l have rem
dered. Whenever they desire to undo
what they have done, they can undo it;
they can alter or abolish my .compen-
sation as they see fit. What the PEG.
pie through their authorized agents in
struct me to do, is legal and proper fol
me to do. They will not at one mo-
ment allow me compensation for dis
charging certain duties and at the mex
abuse me for accepting the compensa
ton.
My competitor in his circular use.
this expression: II allude to the prac
tee on the part of the County Judge
of charging and receiving commits
sion on the Railroad Tax Here he
alludes directly to me- Tile County
: Judge," myself alone, not my prede
cessors, makes a ''prdctice" (acts with
out authority and of his own accord
; of charging, and receiving a commits
sion upon the Railroad Tax" The
community is thus informed directly
that |, taking advantage of the trust
reposed in me, have corruptly and lille
gally adopted practice unknown be.
fore, of first charging the county and
then paying myself out of the funds in
my hands. | ask if this was fair. and
generous treatment toward man who
was acting in common with every Other
Judge the county has ever had and
with every other County Judge and
Chairman in the State o-day; who had
never adopted for himself any "prdc-
tice" but had always followed the law
as he found it and who had never
charged" the county a cent or asked
for cent, but had simply accepted
what was extended to him as an act o.
justice on the part of the magistr ate:
Of the Quarterly Court.
Ny competitor has sprung this ques.
ton at this late hour, in order to com
plicate the issues of the canvass ant
lead the public mind off into the dis.
cussions of legal points. In order t.
avoid any such complication and con
vince him that have not acted lille
! gally," | have, through one of the
. County Attorneys, referred the mat
ter to the Chief Justice of the Supreme
Court of Tennessee Mr.. Merritt pro
T poses to stand upon the law stan(
upon the law The people mayvote a
: the ballot box unembarrassed by thi'
question and the decision of the high
4. est tribunal of the State will Re res
q pected and obeyed, no matter what it is
In conclusion, Gentlemen of tn,
county of Montgomery, [ have servet
you to the best of my limited abilit,
for one year. | came into Office with
out experience, but have labored hare
to qualify myself and have devoted t.
your service all my energies. [ hav
q made, in the discharge of my duty
, many enemies and some bitter ones
Many unfounded charges and report
q have been circulated against me, and
7 have no doubt more will be as the da
+ of election draws near. Twill not hav
e the time or the opportunity to answe
!. them all.
y If you think [ have deserved well a
! your hands, should be proud of you
q approval at the ballot box.
V If the cOunty's interests have suffer
r ed under my administration it is no
: only your privilege and right, but you
A duty to select another to manage an,
r control her affairs. This is question
Q for you the people to decide, and nc
4 my competitor, Mr.. Merritt and wit
q your decision | shall be- content.
! Respectfully.
CHAS. w. TYLER.
$ July %, 1874.