Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-08-22
HAWKINS THE NEPOTIST,
AS Compared 10 Bate and 10
Former Governors.
Nashville World.

Nashville World.
Those who may have thought that
the brilliancy Of Fred Grants educa-
ton and the glory OF his father
entitled him to the brevet rank Of
Lieutenant Colonel, will, we think,
be puzzled to find anything in the
education of the son or the achieve.
ments of the father that entitled the
young scion of the House of Hawkins
to step out from the schoolroom and
pose himself before the world as Ad-
jutant General of the State of Tennes
see. Nepotism is common among the
a%rlstocratic governments of the Old
World, where Offices are considered
property, and power goes by hereditary
descent; but in free America it is dis.
gushing. Governor Hawkins has pro-
NOTED his relatives to fat offices of
dignity and profit to an extent
unknown in the past history of the
State.
There were, we think, serious rea-
sons why Governor Hawkins should
have appointed some old soldier rather
than a mere boy to the highest military
dignity in the State. Lawyers are
always appointed to the judiciary, and
physicians to the superintt ndency of
hospitals, and experienced soldiers
should be placed to the front in mill
tary promotions.
If Governor Hawkins were to ap.
point a distinguished surgeon to the
bench Of the Supreme Court, or a
distinguished lawyer to the superiu-
tendency Of a hospital, he would be
stulti6ed in tho face Of the world, and
have unmeasured ~denunciation hurled
at his head BIZ the members of the
profession thus sighted. Old soldiers
can't help feeling the slight when
boys without experience are promoted
over their heads.
Another, and We think the main
duty Of the Governor, is to see that
the laws are faithfully executed. Here
we think Governor Hawkins admin
istration has been a signal failure.
The Funding Board, with the full
consent and knowledge and approba-
ton Of Governor Hawkins, after a
court ct competent jurisdiction had
eDjoined further proceedings under
the 100. 3 Act, in defiance of the man.
date Of the court, contracted for the
engraving Of the bonds to be issued
under that act. Under this illegal
contract there was paid out Of the
treasury about twenty-five thousand
dollars. The same Board employed
lawyers to fight for the corporations
and capitalists against the interests
and will of the people, aud paid them
out OF the treasury Of the State, with.
out any warrant Of law. Now, these
officers are liable to the State for
every dollar illegally paid Out, Il will
be the duty of the next Legislature 10
move in this matter and have Justice
done the State, and the duty Of the
Governor to have the law executed in
this respect. This need not be hoDed
for With Hawkins in the executive
chair, for he is himself a party to the
crime.
There weEea number Of old records.
going back to the earliest history Of
the State. These were kept in tho
basement Of the Capitol in charse Of
an officer appointed by the Governor
These records had survived the war
but have been destroyed or stolan
through the negligence Of Governor
Hawkins.
Another reason will have its weight
with the people of Tennessee. and
SHOULD have it True Tenness.eans
have always had a due amouot of
state pride. Our fathers rerarded
the G9vernora as the true represepta.
I'VE OF the dignity and manhood Of
the State. We we're struck with hi.
recently in looking over the lone line
81 portraits Of the Governors n ths
capitol. ANY one who will s~crutinias
that list OF distinguished historical