Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1880-06-04
CIaimn or

community, busy with their crops,
manifest but little interest in the ap-
preaching election, except for the Of
fee Of sheriff, and upon this subject
they are intensely interested. Nearly
every white voter in the rural dis
tricts is decidedly and emphatically of
the opinion that E. L. MCGOWAN has
stronger claims upon the Office than
any other living man, for many
weighty reasons here assigned. Coun-
try people in their simplicity, ignorant
of political wire-pulling, and governed
solely by their ideas of "the fitness of
things" cannot see the necessity, JUS
tice, OF propriety of a man who ac-
ceptably fills an honorable and good
paying Office, giving up hat Office to
deprive another acceptable officer of
his office, and one upon which he has
stronger claims than any other aspi-
rant, thus risking the interests of two
Offices already ably filed. To be
plain, MI. Athy, as chief of police, is
regarded as "the right man in the
right place" giving complete satisfac-
ton in that capacity. And people of
the country cannot see why his SER
vices should be lost to that Office, to
deprive Sheriff MCGOWAN OF his Office
so ably filed, simply that Mr.. Athy
may enjoy a large income. 1t amounts
to this precisely, as Mr.. MCGOWAN has
rendered more universal satisfaction
than any sheriff we have had for
years. In a word. the privileges,
chances, and freedom of political
usages should not be allowed
to encroach upon generosity and
honorable recognition OF merit.
This, of course, applies to
a contest between members of the
same party. Nearly every correct
thinker is strong in the belief that
owing to the nature Of the office, the
responsibilities, duties and risks of
the incumbent, the term ofthe sherihs
Office ought to be six years. To obviate
this wrong, it has been the custom for
years back to re-elect an acceptable
sheriff to a second term. 1t requires
no small amount of time and money to
wind up the business of the Office, and
would require no more to close out
two than a single term. 1t is a fact
acknowledged by all parties that E. i.
McGowan has made the best sheriff
we have had for many years. Different
from a raw hand, he was we'll versed
in the details of the office before his
appointment, having served so long as
deputy, and has not made a single
blunder. Why, then, should we 20
back on him, an acceptable incumbent,
by changing the traditions, uSages, and
we'll working practice of the party, in
cutting him off with one term =? Mr..
McGewan is quiet and unassuming in
his manners, a sociable gentleman, a
true christian, and in the discharge of
his duties as brave as a lion. As a
people, we ought to feel a pride in
having our most important offices
filed by such men. During the pre-.
valence Of fever last year, while he
might have remained safe at his coun-
try home, yet too conscientious TO
neglect duty, he risked his life by
being promptly at his post every day.
Not only that, but he was so vigilant
and skillful in his sanitary measures
that not a case Of fever broke out
among the occupants of the Jail,
while the year before the fever in the
Jail cost the county four thousand
dollars. This promptness and vigi-
lance certainly deserves recognition
on the part of the taxpayers of
the county. The people Of the
country claim that the city
ought to regard their wishes for the
reelection of MI. McGown for a very
important reason. Nearly every man
in the county has more or less bust
ness in the courthouse, and being ig-
norant Of its economy and arrange
ments. MIR: MCGOWAN has been Of
more service to them than any other
man. He knows nearly every citizen
personally, and all feel free to 90 to
him for directions in regard to their
business in the different Offices, which
aid is given with every evidence of
pleasure on his part. Considering the
character of the man, the unlimited
satisfaction he has given, the zeal he
manifested in the public interest at
the risk of his life during the epidem-
ic, his social relations with the peo-
pie, the amount of money he saved
by his successful fight to keep fever
out of the Jail, and also the long
established custom of giving an ac-
ceptable sheriff two terms, to go back
on him and elect some other man
would be a humiliation, a hardship,
an Injustice no high. toned gentleman