The Rugbeian. (Rugby, Morgan Co., Tenn.) 1881-1882, 1882-09-02
FENTRESS.
THE LATE COUNTY ELECTION.

Dear Sir,-ln the issue of The Rug5eian
of August 18th 1882, | notice Mr. A. B.
Wright, of jamestown, Tenn, in his letter
desires to have some questions answered. and
after giving his letter due consideration offer
to give reply think by the general run OF
his letter, he feels sore over his late defeat,
and wishes the people to think his defeat for
County Court Clerk was brought about through
corrupt measures. am willing to admit that
believe that the grossest kind of corruption
was practiced during his canvass and did much
to defeat him, but if A. B. W. considers the
offer made by his opponent, J. c. NJ, corrupt,
| can't agree with him. | refer to the Scalp
Certificate question. | am aware that J. G.
Mace during his canvass told the people that,
under his construction of the Scalp Act, he
would have no right to exact of them rs cents
Tor issuing Scalp Certificate. On the con-
trary, A. B. W. INSISTED Oh the people paying
him rs cents for issuing a Scalp Certificate.
believe ]. c. M. is honest in his views and
believe it would be very unjust to accuse him
of any dishonest motive as regards the scalp
| question, and | feel satisfied from general
rumor the people are of the same opinion; and
think any officer before he exacts fee ought
to be fully convinced he is entitled to it.
A. b. W. had better study the Scalp Act Of
1879, also the Code, before he attempts to
impress people with ideas in regard to honesty.
am ofopnion the people are perfectly satisfied
as to the honesty OF J. G. Mace, and willing to
trust him to take charge of the public funds
that come into his hands as financial officer of
this county. Second, A. B. W. in his vague
way alludes to men who are willing to work
for the county for just compensation, and
seems to want the people to think something
dreadful will be the result. Ifsuch an opinion
Is entertained by him | would like to know
how long it has been his guest, for when |
petitioned to his excellency the Governor OF
this State for the appointment as County
Judge at the same rate Of salary am doing
the business for now, A. B. W. offered nc
objection, but seemed to be pleased that
manifested an interest for the county by bel g
willing to labor for just compensation, and
signed my petition to the Governor. Why
did he do that if he had the least idea officials
that were willing to labor for just compensa-
ton would bring ruin on lis county? Re-
trenchments commenced in this County Court
in 1877, and ii we may foretell the future by
the past jtue gears, see no need for A. B. "
to be alarmed at the future result. Again, il
he has had any such idea since my appoint
ment as County Judge, why did he have al
article published in The Rugbeian in which
he was made to say that was a good officer
etc. f.? | might have considered the article as
complimentary, but for other remarks thai
were in the same article have given given mt
reason to believe it was intended as prejudice
against me. think if we continue to practice
economy and have good honest officers wht
will labor for d Just compensation We ueet
have no fear as to the welfare of the county
while on the other hand, If we permit GU
, offices to be filled with men who exact uius
i, fees or salaries, | care hot under what gar
| they are obtained, ruin will surely follow. l h
J wealthy men. or the big bugs A. b. W. speak
) of, reminds me OF a Revenue business trans
action, and before he accuses them of ben
opposed to honest officers, might it not be wei
for HIM before he commits like error, to stud
cause and avoid the distressing effect, or t
s be sure he is right before he goes ahead MI
Editor, am satisfied A. B. W. attributes hi
defeat for County Court Clerk to whisky an
bribery, yes, and he may say to falsehood all
frauds, under the garb ofteigion, and deceivin
unlearned voters as to the nature of thei
=, tickets, intimidation and all such corruI
: measures. And when / consider the course b
took in the canvass am not at all surprised a
his defeat, for any one who will permit him
self to be trailed along by any candidate VII
trys to obtain an Office through any of the sal
corrupt measures ought to expect defeat
am satisfied the grossest Of talsehoods wa
practiced by candidate and one of his associ
: ates i'll order to obtain office. And | al
further satisfied that mach fraud was practice
l under the guse of religion. am informe
by good citizens certain candidate VIZ
paraded about this county by Detect,
Chief, and presented to the good citizens
this county as being very exemplary youn
b man who was both an exhorter and cla
t leader in the Methodist Church, and he, tt
e chief, was very anxious to have ham elected ;
sheriff of this county. But guess his breat
y did not smell right, was one reason of b
. defeat, as | am told that he came to the cour
!. house in jamestown, on the night of Il
: election, intoxicated, and so enraged was |
o over his defeat that he grossly insuted o,
. sheriff, and but for the chief, who came fol
e ward and interceded in his behalf under IL
n plea of drunkenness, he might have @,
= punished. Yes, am told the chief himsel
Y who, too, was a candidate, became so enrage