The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1876-10-18
"A BAD NEWS
FOR THE MOUNTAIN MEN
Washington, April 22, 1876.

La view OF the large number of
harrassing aud unnecessary prosecu-
tions instituted in the Federal Court
at Knoxville against the people Of
the Mountain Districts for violations
of the revenue laws, the following
letter was addressed to the Attor-
ney-General:
UNITED STATES SENATE CHAMBER,
WASHINGTON, Dec. il, 1875.-k0n.- Ed
todrd Pterrep0Jlt, @Ah0THey- Ge7seTuL-Sir:
A considerable number of illicit distil-
lers have been arrested, indicted and
punished by the Federal authorities, in
the mouetain regions of Tennessee. We
believe that violations of the law of this
character have been suppressed in that
region, and there will be no renewal of
the business. In some cases favorable
terms were made by, and for the illicit
distillers upon condition that they would
inform against those who had purchased
spirits from them. This has led to the
indictment of hundreds of poor noun
taineers for purchasing illicit brandy
and whisky. In nearly every instance
they were purchased for domestic pur-
poses and not for sale. Sometimes, in
deed very often, for medical purposes.
1t may have been known, and probably
was known by the purchasers, that the
liquors had been distilled in violation of
law, but in very many, and probably in
most instances, they did not know they
were committing an offense in these pur-
chases. As we have said, most of these
men are poor, and have large families
whose support depends upon the labor
of the father. Hhey are utterly unable
to pay the cost of their prosecution, and
the government must foot the bill We
say to you in all sincerity and good con-
fidence, that we are of opinion that there
will be no further infractions of the law
of this character within the jurisdiction
of the Federal Court at Knoxville. We
believe the evil has been suppressed.
Our constituents, without distinction of
party, assure us that the lesson taught
them shall not be forgotten, and that
the law shall be respected. We believe
thew tell us the truth, and in consequence
invoke the leniency of the government
toward those poor men.
Some of them are indicted for having
cut wood or hauled it to the distillers, or
for making kegs and barrels or other
vessels for them.
Now, we most earnestly and respect
fully ask you, and through you his Elk
cellency, the President, TO grant a gen
eral pardon to all such within the East
ern District of Tennessee, if not for the
whole State, as many have been guilty
of the offense of purchasing liquors from
the Illicit distillers fer domestic purposes
and not for sale, and those who were en-
ployed to labor by these distillers. Many
of them have been tried or plead guilty,
but have not paid their fines and the
costs. Others have not been tried. We
believe such an act of elemency would
result in good. Nearly all these men
were loyal to the government in the late
struggle, and have not broken the law
from any unfriendly disposition toward
the government
Should the request we make on behalf
of these people be granted, we pledge
ourselves to make known to them that
it is done upon the assurance that there
shall be no other heterogeneous of the
revenue laws in their midst OF this char
acter, and that If there shall be, there
need be no other appeal for mercy
We do not wish TO be understood as
asking this in any Obtrusive spirit. We
/ are mountain men and know those peO-
| pie. There are excuses for this conduct
| which do not obtain in favor of people
more favOTably situated for information
and enlightenment. They are. not gen
| orally wilful yiolators of the law.
| If you and his Excellency, the Presi-
| dent, should feel Inclined to consider OF
our request or to act upon it favorably,
in any shape, we will be pleased to give
you such particular information as you
may desire in respect to the matters EN-
braced in this communication.
We have the honor to be,
/ 80 Very reSDectfullV