Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1882-08-24

but never heard it called pared before
Ia voice: He was laid up for repairs
Houk says John Brownlow is the rult of
the family. Well, if runt can do such
work as Colonel Brownlow has done in his
lett to his fellow citizens, published in the
CHRONICLE of August 22nd, what could a
full grown man do? He read some from
the letter.
Houk's friends claim he has done what
no man ever did before in Congress
Well, he has. No man ever de-
serted his seat so much to work for
a denomination. No man ever before decor
ated the floors of his committee room as
Houk did. No Congressman ever before
landed in the lookup and looked through
the prison bars. While he has the etfrontry to
deny it, Houk was drunk in Washington,
drunk IN Nashville, drunk here at home,
bringing disgrace and ignominy on his dis
trict and constituents.
But, as to pensions. Houk says he handled
the papers in 1873 cases, but, until it leaked
out few weeks ago, that he had pension
himself, he never said anything about pen
81 ms. There are some remarkable things
about that pension of his. He filed his
claim June 18th, 1880, and it was paid Aug.
4th. 1880. Another remarkable fact, the
reported no disability l have charged
it and he has not denied it.
Another remarkable thing is the pension is
poid at Washington, and not at his home where
others draw pensions. Another most re-
markble thing Two years before this
Houk filed petition for a life insurance
policy, in this city. In this he must show
sound bodily health; in the pension matter
he must show he is an invalid. (Ehe orig
inal application for life insurance was pro-
duced. 1t is signed ''Leonidas Campbell
Houk.") This, he said, explains the IL.
Campbell' signature which Houk gave when
arrested and locked up in Washington, June
18th, and had to receipt in a ficticious name
for his valuables, to prevent scandal. This
is all detailed by Col. Brownlow in his let
ter. long list of questions propounded
was read. One is, "Did you ever have de-
irium tremens?" To which is written the
answer, No" cloud laughter.) If some
of the people about Fincas-
tie were given the opportunity
they could answer that differently. In his
application for a pension his disability Is
stated as chronic diarreha and lung disease
He goes on answering through the list of
diseases. One question is, Estate fully
your habits as to the use OF alcoholic and
use it." He also denies using opium, to-
bacco, &c. One answer as to liquor Is,
''Have drank it freely at times" The
physician certities from the answers, that
he has no inherited or acquired disease that
will shorten life "A voice, "Who was the
physician?" Answer, ''Dr. Morgan.D
Houk talked to on the other night about
the custom house ring. In this, he is only
al, 49, tI,
But, my colored friends, l sm glad to
see you here in such goodiy numbers.
II uk tiles to convince the colored people
that he is their guardian angel. What has
he done for you? You have seen a circular
he issued in 1865, in which he said Il
am opposed to negroes and rebels voting" ;"
few years before that he, in speech in
Blount county, announced that he was for u
white mans government. he has had OPP
portunities in Congress to give good posi-
tions to colored men, but has he done 1t ?
He appointed as the assistant doork 3eper of
the House, his private secretary, who never
lived here or paid dollars tax. He might
have given that to some worthy man, col
ored or white. He claims to be the poor
mans candidate. He has none the advant-
age of me there, but / do not pretend to
pander to such sentiments, and the array
ing of one class against another. Our in
terests are mutual.
But how does be meet these charges By
Misrepresentation and notoriously false
statements about his competitor, In order to
attract attention away from his black record.
l am not going to take up time, among
men who have known me quarter of
century, to answer his slanderous and false
statements He is sham and fraud, and
the people will make up their minds to re-
tire him to ivate life, where he will dis
grace only himself
(He referred to the 9Th of April occur
renee, fully exposed heretofore, when Houk
failed to reach here to meet an Appointment,
and sent that famous telegram about the
army bill, after it had passed, and he not in
his seat to vote on It,.
| recognize that in this contest [ have
about the dirtiest job have undertaken for
long time, but have made up my mind to
go through with it. l was raised on
a farm, and used to have to clean
out the stable occasionally. 1t
was dirty job, but some one had to do it.
1t is so in this contest. 1t is the duty of
somebody to make this race, the fates seem
to have decreed that l should do it, and l
will do the best can.
one. He then proceeded to relate how he
had charged time and again, Houk's enmity
and utterances against Garfield and his ad-
ministration, and making statement
to Rev. j. A. Ruble. presiding elder of
the Knoxville district, Holston Conference,
NJ E. Church, that Garfield would go
down in infamy." Houk denied this in his
recent speech, but card in the CHRONICLE
from Mr.. Ruble was referred to as sufficient
evidence. He also referred to the cOnver-
sation by Houk with John w. Andes, one
of the best men of Sewer County, to the
effect that the assassination of Garfield was
the best thing possible for the Republican
party, from political standpoint.
Some one asked about Watkins. The
speaker said he had published the adver-
vertisement, 'Vote for Watkins" in his
paper. But suppose he did wrong Is
Houk the man to call him to account for it.
If the people can condone all the mistakes
of Judge Houk, they could certainly con-
done this one of him. He closed by promising
if elected and he made the record his COM
petitor has he would not have the cheek to
ask for re election.
The speech lasted one hour and fifteen
minutes. 1t was the general remark that
more quiet, attentive and better behaved
audience was never before seen in Knoxville,
and lusty cheers were given for Rule at the
close. About the only disturbance was
from some parties and boys acting under
instructions and per contract; but they did
not succeed worth a cent.
at is the common observation that the