Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1881-05-10

sition. Practically, then, that office may,
so far as the election is concerned, be dis
missed from the public mind. Espe-
cially so as Mr.. Cosby is good and
agreeable officer. If the same state OF
affairs existed with regard to the other
Clerkship should be disposed to treat
it the same way, for, as far as ! know
Mr.. Lowry has performed his duties
well enough, and there seems no sort OF
dissatisfaction with him personality
have twice voted for him for this po-
sition, and nothing but sense of duty
could constrain me to vote otherwise
again. He lost a leg in the service of
Virginia, and when he solicited this po-
sition very cheerfully voted for him.
| did so because knew we could never
pension the soldiers who were MANNED
| In the Confederate service, and felt 1t
my duty to reward all such as rapidly as
time and circumstances would allow
Now / am confronted with too of these
manned sold ers asking for office, but
unfortunately they are asking for the
same office, and am compelled to vote
for one and against the other. This is
an unpleasant dilema for me, but must
do the duty Of good citizen as best l
can. Having twice voted to reward Mr..
Lowry, can now honorably decline to
vote to reward Mr.. Duff? consider
both worthy and both competent. Both
lost leg in the war. Mr.. Lowry has
had for twelve years the best office in
the county, and is now well otf-in in
dependent circumstances. lie has fine
farm, and am told has an interest in
another one. He owns large interest
in the Lowry Warehouse, at Abingdon,
which / am told is doing the best bust
ness in the county. This is in itself a
moderate fortune. Mat Duff has moth
ing but kit of shoemaker's tools that |
know of. The people have given him
nothing at all. This is the present stat
us of each Of these gentlemen. Now
how will the case stand with either Of
them in the case of defeat? If Mr..
Lowry should be beaten by only one
vote, and that vote should be mine, !
should regret that he could feel disap-
pointed, but should feel that he could
retire to his warehouse, far the best one
in the county, and there have more
profitable position than he could have in
the Clerks Office, and one that he could
attend to as well as any man. At his
pleasure he could retire in competency
and comfort to his farm. Suppose Duff
should be defeated? He would have to
return to his rented shoe shop and reflect
that, while he had postponed for ten
years the asking for any public position,
even then at that late day his request
should be denied-that his people whom
he had served were disposed to bestow
all their favors on one MANNED soldier
and leave the others unrewarded. /
know Mr.. Lowry has been popular, but
if under these circumstances he will
publish letter something like the fol-
lowing, his popularity will perhaps sur
pass that of any other man who has for
many years lived in the county.
The Hypothetical letter l allude to
would be in some such words as the fol-
lowing:
TO THE PEOPLE OF WASHINGTON COUNTY:
"For twelve years you have given me
the best office in your gift, and while for
many reasons | would like to continue
in your service in that capacity, vet
am constrained to return to you my pro-
found gratitude and to announce that |
am no longer candidate for the Clerk
ship of the County Court.
FOR THESE REASONS.
My competitor, Mr.. NJ. f. Duff, has
waited without any public reward for II
years, during which you have given me
all ask, and to him nothing. He like
myself, lost leg in battle. | am now
in comfortable circumstances, He is
poor. Aside from being competent to
discharge the duties of the Office he has
nothing to retire to, willie have en-
ployment Mt my Warehouse which will
suit me as well as the Clerks office. l
desire to divide favors with my brother
MANNED soldier. Yours truly, sc.
repeat that If Mr.. Lowry WIFI write
and publish such n letter MS the above,
he will be tho most popular man in this
county. CITIZEN.