The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1876-10-18

These things, and many others, have
aroused the moral sense of the people to
the absolute necessity of change, and
to reform in the administration of pub
lie affairs; and this has brought the
Democratic party into being, as it now
exists.
Have we reached point, when po-
litical party coming before the people,
and opposing the party in power on &C
count of its policy and measures, and
appealing to the people for their judg
ment in reference to questions of public
policy affecting us now and in the fu-
ture, are to be stiginatized as Rebels,
and why
While have been your representative
l have given prompt attention to the bu-
siness of my constituents I have an
swered every letter addressed to me, and
given my best efforts to all the people
alike. have known 70 one as Repub-
hcan or as Democrat. A large portion.
OF my time and labor was given to those
who were Union men, their widows and
children. procured the passage through
the House of more bills to give pensions
by special acts than ever was done in
any one session under Republican rule.
voted for every measure proposed in
favor of the soldier of the late war,
their widows and children; voted to paw
all the pensioners of the late war; to
equaEze the bounties; to repeal the stat
ute of five years, so that all can prose
cute claims for pensions and back paw
until 1880, which is now the law.
offered bill to give every farmer
and planter the privilege of selling 500
worth of leaf tobacco without paving
any tax offered a bill to modify and
amend the internal revenue law. la
bored to get an appropriation to open
our rivers in East Tennessee, which pass
ed the House but was defeated in the
Senate. l voted to reduce the expendi-
lures of the Government, the salaries Of
the officers of the Government, includ-
ing the President and members of Con-
gress, and also to discharge useless Off
GERS, as it is now shown that since 1865
the number of employees have been in
creased over 90, 600 in a time of peace
large numbers of whom render no SER
vices whatever. These measures of re-
form and economy were opposed in many
respects by the Senate, but a reduction
in the public expenditures was effected
to the extent of $50, 900, 600, and other
reforms inaugurated.
voted to restore silver as a legal ten
der in payment of all debts public and
private, which passed the House and was
defeated in the Senate. voted to repeal
the act compelling return to gold pay
ment on the list of January, 1879, beiiev-
ing as do that it is utterly impossible,
and that the measure enacted in the in
terest OF bondholders and gold gamblers
is proving and will prove destructive to
the business interests of the entire coun-
try, and especially to the laboring men
That the best policy is to reduce the pub
lie expenditures to the lowest possible
| amount consistent with the public well
fare, remove as far as possible the bur-
den of taxation, to let thecurrency alone
revive our business interests, give en-
ployment to our people, develop our re-
| sources, restore confidence, stop the is
suance of bonds which is thereby increa-
sing the burden of public debt and the
burdens of the people, and that we will
thus be able sooner to reach specie paw
ments, and avoid the bankruptcy and
ruin of all our business men.
l cannot refer to other measures here.
| invite investigation into all my official
acts. | claim that have not been actu-
ated by the spirit of partizan, but by
regard for what / honestly believed to
be for the best interests of all. Frivo-
lous charges, unfounded in truth and
justice, have been circulated to preiud-
ice the public mind. They will no doubt
be repeated with variations to suit every
locality. have done no act, have Civ
en- no vote, that desire to hide from the
public view.
submit my official acts to the judg-
ment of the people. If the people of the
district, upon comparing the claims of
my competitor and myself to public con-
fidence, shall believe that the best inter
ests of the country will be subseIved by
my reelection, l shall be grateful for
the honor, and promise my best efforts
in behalf of the people of all parties Ii,
however, the people shall decide that
the public good demands the election of
my competitor, shall not complaint
Very respectfully,
w MCFARLAND