Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1876-06-03

produce riot and bloodshed, and he
has never denied it, and do not think
be will. Since that time he has never
conferred or advised with me about
anything or matter whatever, being by
law his legal adviser. | speak of this
to say that will not be held resposi-
bic before the country for any of his
blunders. In January, 1875, the leg
islature met latter short extra session
in December, 1864, and then the
trends of economy and reform were
hopeful of some legislation that would
give relief to the people. and give to the
party record that could be defended
before the country. The taxes were
too high, especially as the property In
the main unprOductiye, and relief was
asked for by the whole people. A few
of us were IN earnest in our entreaties
for good and honest State government,
so much so that on the tenth of Feb
ruary last / wrote an open letter to
Hon. "A. Warner, a prominent repub-
lican State senator. which was pub
lished, and in which gave him what l
regarded as the duty of the party in
the legislature. The lower house in
dOrsed my letter by resolution. and
promised to act upon its suggestions.
1t advised liberal and honest policy,
pointed out the danger of defeat if we
pursued the course of other southern
States, and predicted the result that
has ensued, begged the party to redeem
its pledges Il it would protect Its lease
Of power; that if it violated its pledges
it deserved to be defeated, using every
argument 10 my power to induce the
proper action on the part Of the legIs-
lature Pointing out the means by
which expenses could be cut off and
the taxes reduced, advised a reduc-
ton in the matter of public printing.
The legislature passed bill and the
governor vetoed it. (Raymond was
State printer.) l advised a reduction
10 the salary of county superintendent
of education. The legislature passed
the bill and the governor vetoed it. /
advised change in the constitution so
as to give US biennial sessions of the
legislature. This would save nearly
one hundred thousand dollars per an
/ num.) We had pledged it in our plat
form; the governor had advised it in
his first message. The resolution
passed the lower house and went to the
senate; there the governor actually
lobbied the senate and advised his
friends to vote against 1t, and defeated
it by one vote. On the contrary, il
his aspirations for the United States
senate. it seemed necessary to strength
en- his hands by giving him more pa.
tronage and power. At this time il
may be we'll to note that quite mum
Der of the misunderstanding no in,
terest, connection with or in the State
were out of employment except du
ring the session, and set about to ere
ate new offices, and did create the of
fee of revenue agent, whose duty
was to hunt up frauds, defalcations
etc., and receive half that they collec
ted as their pay, and the governor ap
pointed to these Offices five member
, of the legislature, in open violation o
the expressed provisions of the consti
tuition. They having created the of
: fees, could not hold them by appoint
ment. (See constitution, article 4, sec
ton 38). This gave lucrative employ
ment for his friends while they cOul'
work for him for the United State
senate, anu DelloNe ludJ was S0H6Tdl
/ ly a condition precedent to his appoint
; ments. Again, in the face of the con
stitution, his adherents introduced
! bill authorizing him to appoint the tax
! collector for each county. They passe,
| it after much caucusing, in which pts
: tolls II am informed by a member) Wer
, presented to force members to pledg
. their support to the bill. The cover
: nor approved it and acted under it i
! one or two cases, and the suprem
l court has set the law aside as uncon
: stutional. (See L. French Us. TIL
e State, MSS. opinion). Thus it will b
! seen that the party in this State ha
benn governed and controlled by fey
= men, not to exceed half dozen, in
t Guiding the governor, who have per
a sistently Violated the constitution an,
f the most sacred pledges that the part
!, had made in its platform. Then, i
{ two instances, he approved two bill
e on the same day which contradicte
5 each other, and this, with few othe
= objectionable blunders, caused tn
: calling of an extra session of the leg
!, lature in July last without any extra
e ordinary occasion, thus giving us tire
: sessions in eight months instead of on
n in two years, as we had promised.