Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-12-22

said anything concerning the subject,
were it not for the following article
from the New York Graphic, which
vas recently republished in . local
paper; "Mr. Atkins, q Tennessee Rep
fesentatiye, is q candidate for the
vacant olefkship OF the House, Il Is
thoaeht that be has not even the most
remote chance Of success, which Is q
gratifying Indication. The citizen Of
q State which Is endeayoring to evade
the payment Of Its just debts deserves
no consideration at the hands Of the
general Government or its representa-
tires.n IL is true that General Atkins
has always belonged TO the Democratic
lartyi hut because that party saw ft
70 adopt a certain platform it does not
follow that either he or any other man
is to be held responsible for the yer
dict OF the people at the ballot box
What has this to do with his quail
6cations for the duties Of clerk? 1t
comes in bad taste from Republican
newspapers to make such assaults
upon any one, more especially upon a
man whose public career has been
one OF such unyarying integrity. AS
70 the chances" Of being elected, |
have nothing more to say, though an
impartial observer here in Washington
easily pereeives that General Atkins
has a good start, and can sec no
reason that he should not
win the race, if personal
popularity, good character, a correct
sense Of duty aud proper qualification
tor the duties Of the Dfice to which
he aspires are to be counted, Alter
being graduated at East Tennessee
University in 1916, Mr.. Atkins studied
law,sand was elected TO the Tennessee
House of Representatives in 1854 and
1855. In 1857 he was elected to Con-
gress, aud in 1850 was on the Breckin-
ridge electoral ticket. While Lieu
tenant Colonel OF the Fifth Tennessee
regiment, c, S. A he YVES in August,
1861 elected TO the Confederate Elec
toral Congress, and re elected in No
vember Of that year, He was reelected
in November, 1863, and served until
the Confederacy ended its legal and
constitutional existence. Since the
war General Atkins was elected to the
Foriy-third, Forty fourth, Forty fifth,
Forty-sixth and Forty seventh Con
crosses of tho United States, and
during this ten years of public service
has been known as q patient and in,
dustIious Representative As Chair.
man Of the House Committed or
Appropriations, he labored with such
zealand untiring perseverance, as tC
seriously imperil health. This he hal
regained. But no one, not even the
most extreme Republican member o
Congress has ever doubted the ability
or the honesty of General Atkins
whose retirement from public life, lik,
that Of General W~hitthorue anC
Colonel House, is truly q loss TO tn,
Democratic party. l say this from
recognition Of what the man is, for il
the Tennessee campaign my feeling
duN my Nitho MtIC Win INC OeMO
cratic faction which General Akin.
and a thousand other leaders of ouI
party fought and fought to annihila
ton. Republicans, who aided Mahout
in Virginia, and nominated Riddle
berger for Sergeant at Arms Of tn,
UDitsd States Senate, cannot consist
emily war upon General Atkins. II
has but followed the platform policy o
the Tennessee Democracy, which al
unrsgenerated State credit elemen
can Dot deny. has at least some claim
u popular endorsement. Genera
Atkins is competent aud will fill th.
Office Of Clerk to the satisfaction o
the Democratic party, which has b
its Representatives in the next Hous
the right and the power to award it t
one Of its faithful servants. Now i
the time for the Tennessee press t
speak on the subject.
SALTUs MoHEGAN.