Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-10-29
nOPP7
A Scathing Ventilation of Shell
by's Boss RepudiatOr.
He Owes $4,000 OF State, County and
City Taxes-what the ''Independenf"
Conspiracy Means-Etheridge and
Memphis Appeal, Oct. q.

lac Wv 6 9SssOOO VI t<Atc,.SoUAty o-<,-
City Taxes-whaf the s'Independent'
Conspiracy Means-Etheridge and
Johnson
Memphis Appeal, Oct. %.
Last night Colonel Thomas H. Logwood,
upon invitation of the Democratic Execu-
tive Committee, addressed the citizens Of
the Tenth ward at Goodwin" hall, Main
street. He said he was not candidate
for any office, but spoke to them concern
ing the issues at stake The Radical
party had been playing the lion over us for
long time, but OWING TO their defeat last
August the lions skin was too short; like
Cardinal Riehelieu, they have now put on
the fox's skin and made an ssindependent
ticket" The Radicals tried to poison the
Democratic ticket becaues il had no
lrishman on il. But this failed, and the
Irishman stood to the Conservative-Dem
OcTatie ticket. They had tried to get out a
ticket, and this, the fourth ticket, would
hardly stick, for he understood that Mr..
Coleman would not serve on the Radical
ticket. The ticket was composed of NJ. I.
Williamson, the worst Radical in Memphis;
VIM. NJ. Randolph, who had always voted
the Radical ticket; Vim. Smith, another
Radical, and Augustus HitZfeld, also Rad
ical. These were pretty Radicals, who
called themselves Independents, and asked
Democrats to vote for them. Emerson
Etheridge, who stood at the head of the
ticket, was always opposed TO the Demo
Gratis, and after his defeat for Governor he
took every occasion to abuse the Democrats.
He stood on the streets and took pleasure
il abusing the Democratic party.
tho llaUlnprzrC ClllIt anil
an independent ticket was elected. Bar
bour Lewis in that manner secured his
election, and voted for the Civil Rights
bill. Had it not been for the independent
movement, Haynes would have been elect
ed to Congress, and voted against the Civil
Rights bill. This independent movement
was made two years ago to elect Radical
Mayor last year, and they succeeded; and
if the Democrats row abandon their own
party, another Radical candidate would be
elected, and other negroes, like Ed Shaw,
elected to office.
Who is it, gentlemen, that has been in
strumenlal in getting up this so-called in-
dependent ticket2 II was Robertson Topp
and the wire-pullers of the Radical party.
W. J. Smith, the general, who is ever at
the birth Of any clique, eOnclave, trick or
ring which can by any possibility divide or
defeat the Democratic party, was heard 10
say but to-day, ave have got the Demo
Gratis now. The independent movement
is g trump card for u.s." But Robertson
TOpD is the wet nurse. if not the daddy, of
the movement. lie is terribly distressed
about the condition of the country, and
Weeps crocodile tears over the oppressed
tax paving people of the State, county and
city. He saws their burthens i'll this re-
gard must be lightened so they can have a
breathing spell. He hOwls throughout the
county about the burdens of tlXation, and
no doubt in his dreams he mutters TAX
es, taxes, and the independent ticket"
Mr.. Topp has taken the initiative in get
ting up the independent ticket, in order to
disrupt the Democratic party, and low
taxes is the wedge he is using with which
to split our party. Having taken this pO-
sitiOn, and also taken tie stump, where he
charges the Democratic party with the re-
sponsibility of high taxes, l am warranted
in looking into his status ON the tax-paying
question. have called upon some Of the
State, county and city officials and made
inquiry as TO how much taxes Mr.. TOpp
owes. | find that he owes back taxes
(Which in some instances run back as far
as lSG0) as follows: State and county
taxes, about $4,000; city taAes, with in
terest due thereon, $4,000. He owes the
city, i'm addition to that, the sum of ST.
600, by reason of his putting to his own
use certain bonds which belonged To
the city, and which, | learn, was in
trusted TO his care. Adding all this to-
gether we have the round sum of 5000,
besides some interest on that amount.
Now if this bowling advocate for low taxes
is in earnest in the endeavor to relieve the
people of the burdens which Cypress them
in the way of taxes; if he is honest in the
doctrine that he breaches, let him show his
faith by his works, and march no TO the
tax collectors offices, State, county and
city, and pay mp this Indebtedness which
has been accommodating since 1860. If he
will do this, there will be just that amount
CSS7, O00) less to be assessed upon the prop
city Of the oppressed people.
The surest mode of getting taxes down
TO a low point, is for every one to pay
taxes promptly, and thus do his part in
supporting the State, county iand city gov
ernments. While you have been paying
your taxes since 1860 to support and keep
up the government under which MIR. TOpp
receives protection, and enjoys all the ben
efits of a citizen, he has paid nothing, yet
he has been enjoying the proceeds of a
large estate during that time. l would
ask you, Democrats, Conservatives and
moderate Republicans, who desire TO put
down taxes and the advocates of the odiOus
Civil Rights bill, is this the leader whom
You are willing TO follow in the attempt to
break up the party which is putting forth
every effort to elect Col. Casey Young over
Barbour Lewis, who voted for that i'll
famous bill at the last session of Congress,
and who asks you TO vote for Horace May
nard for Governor, who fayOrs negro equal
ity?
Gen. Williamson, who was elected to the
last Legislature, drew up the present as
sessment law, which Mr.. Randolph said, in
a recent speech, was the most infamous law
that ever passed, and should not be allowed
TO stand on the statute books. Gen. Will
hanson a'sO voted for the funding bill they
now complain of.
These Radicals and Independents say
they are for Andy johnson for Senator.
Now, Emerson Etheridge, when a candi-
date for Governor, took every occasion to
stab Andy JOhnsOn's political record, and
voted against him. Etheridge voted for
Ed. Cooper, mere pigmy, against Andrew
johnson. He, therefore, had right to say
that he did not believe that Etheridce would
vote for Andrew johnson, although he
promised to do so.
Andy johnson should feel very much
cOmplimented to know that Emerson Eth
eridge, who had been his most severe Wilt
fer and abuser, and worst enemy, now
crouched between his legs like a yellow
cur, cringing and whining for the crumbs
Of office. Etheridge and his ticket had
been compelled to swear that they were
Andy JOhnson's friends in order to get 4
little office.
THERE was a man in Oswego, Kansas,
who thought that he had fallen into a fat