Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1882-10-01
From AndersonyilIe.


addressed to-day, the largest crowd of
hearers from Anderson and adjoining coun-
ties that ever assembled in these parts, num-
bering upwards of three hundred people.
He was introduced very appropriately by
Esq. Haynes and began by enuncia ting the
true theory of Republican government,
which is decidedly averse to a spirit of
bossism. Any person, high or low who,
should attempt to rule with a rod of iron
antagonized the very germs of our institu-
tons. He told the people it had always
been the custom of aspirants for honors to
come before the people and discuss from
the hustings, matters of public importance.
He regretted that Judge Houk had deemed
it inexpedient to agree to a list of Joint
discussions. Houk was at Clinton this
morning. He had no appointment for to-
day. he was even at Coal Greek last night,
and would not enter joint discussion
there. Why would not the Judge agree to
such a discussion herep He and his friends
have boosted all over this district that Houk
would or could use Capt. Rule UP, but they
feared to undertake the job. Capt Rule
gave brief outline of the two conventions
at Knoxville, ON August Oath, and showed
the fallacy of the claims of the friends of
Houk at the Opera Hause convention. He
made no dlsparaglng remarks against the
men who composed that convention, many
of them being honorable men, but as to
their regularity and their authority to die
tate to the people of this district such 6, man,
with such record as Houk presents, he
was ready to take issue with them and en-
phatically deny the authority.
AS to personal political conviction he
would not yield the palm to Judge Houk or
any of his penny line henchmen, in his
devotion to pure RepubGcanism. Captain
Rule said he had been in active political life
for more than twenty years; had perhaps,
in the heat of political excitement, said
many things that In mature elaboration he
would perhaps have left unsaid but he had
no apologies to make for political prefer
ences.
The issues of interest before the country
and likely to come up for action before the
47th Congress were discussed.
The finance question was settled, and
well settled, and he is in favor of letting
that alone.
The tariff question, however, was likely
to be an active ISSUE but that was happily
in the hands of an able tariff commission,
which he hoped would give us a satisfactory
adjustment.
He regarded the public domain SO much
taken up that it was unpolitical to grant
more aid to railroads, and was in favor of
restricting entries to actual settlers. He
thought public appropriations might be well
directed towards the establishment of a
national system of education, improvement
of rivers, harbors, &c
The public record of MIR. Houk was taken
up, being matter of public importance.
According to Mr.. Houk's friends there was
l,,t -, ,,,Lo
go to Congress at all; when Houk should
shake off this mortal COLI there wonld be
none left TO represent the district. They make
exaggerated statements, and impose upon
the credulity of the people. Houk tells the
people that he is doing more for the people
than any one else. Houk had asserted that
he had done wonders toward the pen
sioners.
He proceeded to ''knock the bottom out
of these pretensions by showing just how
worthy applicants could and did obtain pen
siOns. (Houk, however, was entitled to
credit for pension claim allowed to one l..
@. HOuk. The same or a similar routine
line of work was necessary in the case of
Quartermaster's supplies.
Judge Houk had introduced from 600 to
/ 900 bills for Quartermaster supplies, and
in addition to his wonderful efficiency and
committee, and for his great opportunities
he had only secured the passage of but one
of these war claims
Again, Judge Houk was wonderfully de-
ficient in his attendance upon his duties as
Representatives. well paid and hand
somely provided for, and yet, out of 127 roll
calls was only present fifteen times.
He ventilated the excuses and apologies
of Houk and his friends, and showed to the
satisfaction of the crowd that the explana-
tions are sorely wanting in the elements of
truth, and in fact are VIGOROUSLY false, and
these tergiyersations of Houk and his friends
are enough to cause distrllst all the while.
One chief reason why Houk refused a joint
canvass was that his supply of excuses had
given ont and like vessel at sea without
sails, he is laundering over this district, try
ing TO convince the people that they ought
to perpetrate the fraud of returning him to
Congress. But these people are not such
gulls as to swallow such ''pizen."
In one of the most important conflicts
where constitutional prerogative was car
ried out by the lamented Gar
field, which engendered the animosity
of Conkling and few lesser lights which
cost the country one of its greatest lights
and most distinguished statesmen this coun-
try ever produced, Houk was found in
ally with these bad men, and declared the
death of Garfield was a good thing for the
Republican party. A spirit of bossism is
everywhere seen in this district and it is
beneath the dignity of a man fit to repre-
sent this people in any Congress. 1t is
a growing evil and if not checked promises
to be an unmitgated evil
The attempt of Mr.. Hubbells assessment
committee to dictate to the people
s. -
humbug and exceedingly cheeky.
Mr.. Houk joint committeeman, ought
to have told Mr.. Hubbell and his commit
tee that these East Tennessee fellows
could be led, but driven-never. But in a
spirit of bossism, Mr.. Houk thought he
could mutually assist and be assisted, and
that some of Mr.. Hubbells money might
assist him or his friends to enter the voters
market and buy enough votes to again elect
him to Congress.
A personal canvess, where such acts are
presented as is presented by Judge Houk's
record was anything but agreeable to him
to make before an intelligent audience A
canvass upon distinctive political issues
would be much more agreeable and con-
genial, but the issue is forced, and not one
of preference.
In any event, with the facts and record
bOAOAO ILoIll, SdpC. 1lulS bdlu Luo VIII VI Tie
people is supreme, and if Judge Houk, with
all his defects was selected, he would not
complain but he could promise these peo-
pie if he was elected he would strive not to
VIGOROUSLY disgrace them.
Capt. Rule was listened to with marked
attention for upwards of two hours, and
made an excellent impression. The banner
he carries will not trail in the dust. He is
daily gaining in strength in these parts and
l think Judge Houk missed his chance by
not meeting him here, as this place is ac-
cessible to all parts of Campbell and Union
counties and so large crowd will not be
here again. The ladies were present to grace
the occasion, and a large United States flag
was unfurled to the breeze. The house was
handsomely decorated and splendid order
prevailed. VIDETTE.
Sleeplessness.