The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1874-04-08
70 the Editor of the Srorristown Gazette:


the Herald andTribune affec--.
tiOnntely Corrected.
To the Editor of the Nrorristown Gazette:
I have seen an article in the Knox
vile Chronicle, dated Tampico, 21st
March, 1874. signed !" Honest John"
giving some licks at Judge Butler
our present Congressman. and lift
ing up the pretensions of Judge Gil
lenwaters, his opponent for the posi-
tion. Although he tries to do it by
an inuendo, still one can see that
there is more in that article than a
mere desire to have honest men in
place, In fact, I never had the plea
sure of knowing that either. ''Honest
John" or Judge. Gillenwaters had
any more of the seemingly sought
for article than they could adyant-
ageously use themselves, var rae
Judge Gillenwaters held an official
| position other than the one he now
holds, once If I remember right,
some time in the war. l. believe 1t
was 7called--sOme:bin bing-Idon't know
what, but at any rate it had some
thing to do with the receiving and
distributing of provisions to the
poor of East Tennessee during the
war-you know what it was-and it
was said by some. of the poor that
the thing was not altogether right
some how, the Judge can probably
explain. AS to "Honest john" l
think he held some sort of an official
position about the time a candidate
was sent (Oh, made,) for the legisla'
ture.. i heard it charged that he did
not q toat fair" SO far as Mr.. Tate
was concerned. But let that be as it
may, the truth is the truth, if it
shames the d-l. When | talk, |
know what I talk about, and that is
this, that between Judge Gillenwat-
ers and Judge Butler and Mr. Petit
bone, Mr.. Butler is the choice of
three -fonrths of all the people of
Granger county. irrespective Of par
ty. ! have heard some of the bitter
est political enemies of Judge But
Ter, and no few of them at that, say
that as between these men they were
for Butler. And why should they
not be i earnestly and prayerful-
ly ask either Judge Gillenwaters,
/" Honest john or the Herald and
Tribune, where is the crime that
Judge Butler has committed? He
has benn assaulted byothese would
be Office makers and office holders for
10 ! these many days, but where is
the proof of his guilt, even of the
cadet selling? Come and ask the
honest people of Rutledge where the
crime was committed-bah!w what did
/ say, not where the crime was COM
mitted, but where the boy lived who
it is alleged was sold. ont-what de-
fense Judge Butler made from the
public. rostruma in the presence of
the boy and his fabhes- +@en the
most powerful appeals were made by
that prince Of gentlemen, Hon. Jas.
White, of Rogersyille, than whom no
better man lives, and the appeal was
made with that sarcastic air, with
tears in his eyes, and with force pc
culiar TO Mr.. White, and you will
learn that Notwithstanding all this,
the time. place and circumstances
under which it was made, no proof
was offered by those said to be ag-
grieved to sustain the charge.
As to pension frauds, where is the
proof? Echo answers, where Ar
rested in johnson county. Tenn, and
carried as criminal to Washington,
ID. c., put on his trial in the very
face of his accusors, what was the
result? An acquital by jury, and
a censure by the Court on the Off
cials who brought the charges against
him and the dismissal from Office of
Mr.. H. Van Hermon by the chief ex-
ecutive officer of the nation, and last
but not least, final Judgment by the
people of the First Congressional
District, most Overwhelmingly repu
dating the charge z.
Its an easy matter to talk and
make assertions. but the people want
the proof-proof of dishonesty, not
allegations unsupported by proof.
One more word and am done: ]
ask the Heruld and Tribune, Judge
Gillenwaters, q Honest John,n Maj
: Pettibone or any other man to an
swer lthis-zWhe is the poor widow,
the poor soldier. sick, afflicted, on
, his crutches--the man who has filed
q claim against the Government
,, (honestly)--who has asked the assis
tance of Judge Butler that has not
got it promptly? If one can be found
| am very much mistaken. And
; will say to these gentlemen com
plainants-go to the Quartermastel
Generals Office, Washington, Com
+. missary Generals Office, War Office
: Treasury Office, or any other Office in
Washington, and make the inquiry
! and if they do not get the reply that
! Judge Butler, NJ, G. from the First
District of Tennessee, devotes more
J time to his individual constituency
! than any other man in Congress,
! have been very badly informed. GC
to the Hail of the House Of Repre-
: sentatives and send in your card tx
: Judge Butler and' he always meets
you and provides for your confer
while. sojourning IN and about th'
4 capitol. When you get q seat in tht
: Gallery look down upon Judge But
}, ler's seat and you will see an atten
: tive red head, with one eye watching
: what is going on in the House, while
the other is following his pen as /
2 rapidly indites reply TO some on
! of his constituents whose importan
{ business is cenfided to him. Wha
does it mean, you inquire Of his col
leagues, and they tell you he has
) letter from some old widow or som
= crippled soldier or some poor dew
who lost everything by the army i
his district. He has been to the DE
: partment this morning and got a