Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-02-28
WIN Polk oontess9

Marsh T. Polk has shown himself
loyal to his friends under most terri
bic ordeal. He has thus far refused
to implicate any one. Yet there is a
deep-seated popular belief that others
conspired with him, and outside of his
Office, to over reach the treasury and
use public funds FOR political and
speculative purposes. If all their
ventures had been successful, if the
cards had turned up right everytime,
il Hawkins had been reelected and a
Legislature with him in favor of
sustaining these 6 act if Tom 0'Con-
nor had not been killed and if several
other things had happened or not hap
pened, Polk could have been reelected
by a combination of Democrats and Re
publicans, he could have patched up
a clear balance sheet, bridged
over the chasm and possi-
bly, made good his deficits With
out the world ever knowing that be
had beer defaulter. If his lumber
venture in North Carolina, bis invest
mentsan North Alabama coal or iron
fields, his speeulations in Memphis
and Charleston and Louisville and
Nashville railroad stocks, his Wall
street operations and investments in
new issue Bank of Tennessee money
and other risks that he took, not
omitting the Mexican silver mine
which he and two others bought-il
we say all these things had turned out
we'll, Polk would have still held up
his head aud impersonated a lofty
virtue and chivslric nature. He and
Others lived in a fancied security.
Others had grown suddenly rich by a
lucky turn Of the wheel of fortune
Why not he2 No cloud or
day Of reckoning was expected.
But it came suddenly and terribly and
the bolt Of the lightning fell most
heavily upon Polk, who languishes in
damp Jail, the scapegOat and vicari-
ols sufferer for others as is believed,
as we'll as himself. 1t is a long way
from the funding board rooms, where
the great seal OF Tennessee was used
on Nassau street, and from the luxu.
rious suite of rooms at the Fifth Ave-
uue Hotel down to a dark cell on the
banks Of the Cumberland river
Whatever is left of Polk, he has re
tanned sense Of fidelity to those who
wore particeps criminis with him in a
purpose to defeat the will OF the peo.
pie and to use for corrupt purposes
the revenues wrenched from an hon
est, hard working people. We think
Colonel Polk has kept his
mouth shut long enough.
If he persists it may soon close for
ever. TIE highest considerations Of
public justice that can appeal to the
heart or judgment Of mel demand
tha. he should throw off the cloak oil
reticenee and mystery and make full
disclose Of the manner and by whom
the State was pillaged, for we feel GER
tiin that he is not the only offender.
Polk, in his easy going, unsuspocting,
warm Southern nature coald never
have cOncocted schemes to rob the
treasury Of half a million dollars
He had outside suggestion and help,
big long headed help. A full, frank
statement from him is due to the peo
pie whose confidence he abused and
whose respect he wantonly forfeited.
This would not reinState him,
but it would divide the responsibility,
locate the mine Of raseality that has
blown its steaming, iniquitous breath
over the State Capitol so long, and
greatly soften the feelings ofthe people
toward him. Even in his humiliation
and shamethere is much of his for
mer character left, and it is to be hoped
that he VIII make the only reparation
and render the last and best service in
his power, by making a'oesn bre lst Of
this most disgraceful chapter ever to
be smeared over the pages of our
States history. Let it cone, Colonel,
whatever it is, aud whoever is hurt;
you will feel better for it and raise
yourself at least to position where
cOmmiseration and mild respect may
be mingled with pity and sympathy.
--------------
Ex-Governor Marks Noble Re-
ply,
The Nashville Banner, the ablest