Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1881-06-30
The Other Side of tho Athens Question.

ATHENS, June 20, 1881.
Nh. EDITOR Lest through the columns
of your paper an immensely erroneous
opinion be formed from the very grave
errors and gross mistakes made by some
writer from this place, relative to the newly
instituted proceedings recently had for the
re-incorporation of the town of Athens, we
ask to be favored through the widely cir
cuIated pages of the CHRONICLE, to explain
away the non-intended Misrepresentation
and show the writer the error of his way
and the fallacy of his opinion. AS to the
old corporate charter we do not here refer.
It NAV have been badly managed, and if we
were forced to look upon it as our criterion
now, or were we compelled to take 1t as
precedent, we would say away with every
thing that even points toward corpora
ton This is not our status. 1t is the duty
of all citizens at all times, whether in ma
tional or local government, to foster it by
keeping it in the hands of substantial men.
But if the citizens are indifferent to good
rule or no rule at all, the worse may be ex
pected. IT'S true an election was held to
ascertain the will of the people of the pro-
posed corporate limits not heated contest,
| however, except the intense heat of the sur,
which was almost intolerable: So far as
| this writer knows or is informed, there
was no heated contest between the citizens,
no contest politically, none between the
dram -drinker or whisky ring and the
so-cailed temperate gentlemen and property
holders, numbering twenty three. By the
provisions of the acts of the assembly of
| 1875, and the amendatory act of 1877,
two-thirds majority is required, giving the
anti-corporation men two chances to defeat,
while the corporation men have only one to
win. Yet, they say there's fraud, there's
dissatisfaction. So will some people COM
| plain at the approach of Judgment. The
world as one entirety cannot be pleased.
But, we have learned and must learn to let
| the majority rule. A few men should not
arrOgate to themselves power and dominion
because they have accumulated little prop
| erty. They should not look upon poorer
| class as a debauched race, subservient to
| their lordship. But they say we are for
| taxing district of the second class Just SO.
If they are for any kind of taxation, it is of
second, and if possible of third class. Now,
[ would inquire why this mania of taxing
| district? This had not been spoken of
| until steps were had for corporation,
| though it became a law from the date
| of its passage. Thus it becomes evil
dent that this is a scheme to
defeat the corporation. 1t is
local self government by virtue Of a cor
| porat&on or it is not government at all. We
| are of the opinion that taxing district will
| never be had here therefore corporation
is sought that law and order may be had
that what little whisky is drank, shall be
drank at well-regulated saloon, rather than
it shall be used behind the screen. Let the
statutes be enforced, making it penalty for
a person to sell or give liquor to minors.
Better this, under W l-regulated corpora
ton, than to sell in vic. ton of the law
drink behind the curtain and otherwise
eyade the law. Now, as the threatened in
| junction in connection with other loudly
expressed legal opinions, we have nothing
here to say such opinions fall fruitless to
the ground. If the pending corporation
must be settled in the courts, let it be done
Inns will be the only decisive opinion, and
until this is done we will proceed undaunted
and fearless, believing that the injunctive
| aid and power of a chansery court will in no
wise interpose. Law AND ORDER