Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1881-05-24
OBJ Qailg Cbronitle.
Entered at the Post Once at Knoxville, Ten
eSsSee, as Second-class matter
TUESDAY, MAY q, 1881.
TO THE PUBLIC.

1t is known by he readers of the CHEoN
Gle, especially those residing in this lection,
that for some time past a somewhat spirited
contest has been going on over the Knox
vile pos.-ofice. As eIi.or of this paper, I
have c,.refu'lv avoided extended illusions in
its columns 20 the con est. for the reason
that We publish a newspaper, and not a per
so-ai 0 gan. But nave received 50 many
tette-s Of inqui7 ! on ne subject [ conclude
that enough interest is felt il it 10 jus "
Inc in making this ore brief statement for
publication 1 DO this as a matter of sim
pie justice to myself, and for the reason
that It is impractica6le foc me 10 answer
all these inquiries through the medium
Of personal correspondence. [ assure he
readers of The CHRoSIcLE, that il is not my
intention to be dragged into pe.5onal con-
troversy, and wha- l say here IS Of a poiti-
cal rather than of personal nature
In face of bitter and maIignantoppositio
from the Representative in Congress from
this district l was nominated by he Presi-
dent, ON the 18th of last March. to be post
master at Knoxville This was done upon
the practically unarim recommendation
of the business men and citizens of Knox
vile and surrounding country without re-
gard to party connections, including those
who pay OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES of the revenue
derived from the Knoxville Office. This was
peculiarly gratifying to he, being an ex-
preston Of public confidence which I prize
as of higher value than the emoluments of
the Office, and l take this occasion to pub
licIy return my sincere acknowledgements
The Representative in Congress from this
district at once declared his intention to defeat
my confirmation by the Senate. OF his
motives and Obligations l DO not pro-
pose to speak. | will only state facts
II leave an impartial public to form their
own conclusions. I was credibly inform
ed that lie made the point with the Presi
dent that 1 was not true Republican-tha
the CHRONICLE was a Democratic paper 4
disguise. He first commenced operations
with Republican Senators. and it is pre-
/ Il
nl5 want Of aIcceas with them, doubtless
suggested a change OF tactics. Abous tn
18th Day of May an anonymus circular let
ter was received by every Democratic Sen
ator, with the exception of Senators HAIR
and Jackson, through whom 1 first receive
the information that such paper was in e2
istance. 1t was evidently intended that
should know nothing about it, and this az
counts for its author or authors not sendin
copy to the Tennessee Senators. n
other charges had been made against MT
and these gentlemen had kindly given IN
the assurance that if charges were mad
no action should be taken by the Senat
until l had an opportunity to NEE
and refute them. l first heard of tt
anonymous paper on Monday, May 1Gtl
and left on the next train for Washin.
ton, arriving there at 9,15 Tuesday nigh
Through the kindness OF Senator Harris
first received a copy of the charges abo1
10 o'clock on Wednesday. He, at tn
time, thought that the Senate would prob
bly, adjourn the next day, and expressed Il
opinion that in view of the shortness Of Il
time in which to explain the charges co
tanned in the anonymous circular letter, al
counteract its influence upon Democrat
Senators, that the matter would be pass
over without acton. In this opinion Sen
tor jackson also concurred. During Il
day, Senator Harris expressed the san
opinion to Judge Houk as he (the Senate
informed me. Houk remarked that he the
had as well go home" to which Senat
Harris assented. Judge Houk did leave {
the next train. Without knowing that
was gone went to the rooms Of Senate
Harris and Jackson, on Thursday mornin
and expressed my desire to ha
the case called up and disposed {
[ did the same to Senator Fern
chairman of the committee on post-ofic
andpost-roads HOPED that it would be call
up that day, and learned only after the Sena
met that it would not, out of courtesy to t
Representative in Congress, who had left t
city. If the matter had been acted up