Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1875-03-13
NASHVILLE.
The New Orleans Times and the
Ammersal nine"-The Charge 90

ne ThorOughly Investigated. =
/. NASHVILLE. March 10, 1875.
From our Special Correspondent I
The New Orleans Times, which con.
tanned a second article (this time in the
form Of an editorial) reiteratinr III.
charges Of bribery aud corruption
against the Representatives from Shelby
county in the recent Senatorial election.
was to day as eagerly sought after as
was ever any war bulletin during the
late unpleasantness." As soon as il
reached the Senators from that county
they requested General Quarles TO offer
a resolution raising a committee with
powers to send for persons and papers
with a view to the most searching inves-
tigation touching their action in the
premises. The resolution in accord
ance with their request was i'm.
mediately adopted, sent to the
House and there amended SO as TO
instantly notify the editors and proprie-
tors OF the New Orleans Times that the
Legislature Of TENNESSEE was prepared
to investigate with the severest scrutiny
the grave charges contained in that pa
per, and requesting them to furnish at
once the sources Of information which
caused them, with a view that their
truthtulness or fallaey might be made
known TO- the American people at the
earliest possible moment. The editorial
in question has caused no little comment.
The standing of the paper containing. it,
a recognized journal of ability and fair
ness heretofore, which surely could not
desire to wantonly injure gentlemen n
known to its editors about a matter in
which the people of this State were those
specially interested, and who had long
ago rendered their verdict, without a sim
gle dissenting voice, that the recent SEN
atorial election, so far as members of
the General Assembly were concerned,
was without the slightest faint or even
breath Of %corrrupting influence, caused
many to conjecture that the scandal had
its origin in Tennessee.
Your correspondent was on the
ground during that memorable contest,
and lent his mite to the opposition to
secure Andrew Johnson's defeat; was a
close observer to every action OF his
friends and foes; therefore, pending an
investigation even, it may not be out of
place for him to give his views of the
part taken by those gentlemen who are
from his county, known by him long and
well, who are now charged with bribery
and corruption. At the outset he desires
to say, that he does not believe,
had be the inclination, could Mr..
Johnson, with every dollar he ever
handled Of his own, or other peoples
money, have induced a single a Of this
immortal nine TO have cast his vote
for him. He therefore gives it to your
readers, as the result OF his deliberate
judgment, that the investigation will
conclusively show that there was no
consideration Of a p%eeuniary character
used or attempted TO be used, and
that those now resting under such a
blighting charge are as innocent as un-
: born babes. The motives which
prompted their uniform and stead
fast support Of the present Sen.
ator were threeiold, except possibly
c Messrs. 0verton and Wynn. Those two
= gentlemen voted for him because Of a
conscientious conviction that they were
c instructed by their constituents in those
b immortal c%igsr.boxes." He was never
{ their choice, and his election did not at
any time and does not now satisfy them
;! as being the best for Tennessee and con.
stitutional government hereafter. The
= rest were governed in their support Of
IL him-First, because Of all the candidates,
he was their choice second, because Of
the Instructions third, because Of the
&c prevailing idea in this immediate locality
p" that his election united the Democratic
party in the State, and to a certain ex
III tent disarmed the Radicals Of an argu
IS ment that in his defeat we showed hos
a tility to the Union, the Constitution
and the enforcement of the laws" Thei
no integrity is to be commended, their judg
~, ment pitied. Corn.