Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-10-24
The NATIONAL CAPITAL.
Kx- Congressman Atkins and His
Competitors for the Clerkship
Of the House.
Patents Issued 20 Tennessee
Inventors
Cor. Nashvin. American .


Cor. Nashville American.
WASHINGTON, October lS.-During
the week Just ended only two patents
were iesued to citizens Of Tennessee.
They arc Joseph A. Kellogg, Nashville,
mail bag catcher, and J John Walter,
Nashville, car roof.
The chief competitor of Hon. j. d.
Q. Atkins for the office of Clerk Of the
next House of Representative, Hon.
John b. Clark, Of Missouri, has com
meuoed the campaign in this city by
establishing headquarters. Mr.,
Clark is the tail to the Carlisle kils
and personally very popular with his
party. Like Mr.. Atkins, he was a
member Of the last Congress. Il
must be said, though, that he does
not possess the same confidence with
the old members as Mr.. Atkins. In
this particular Mr.. Atkins is present..
nent. Your correspondent has yet to
talk with a member who does not
speak loudly in his praise as a safe
and sagacious man, and one that would
reflect credit upon the party should
he be chosen. This, as you will
imagine, is a material element in the
contest, for it is universally acknowl.
edged that none but 'trne and tried
men should be placed in official posi-
ton in this coniuncture.
The friends Of Clark are making
stout representations Of his being the
candidate Of the South, and in cOnse-
quence exhibit his record as South
err soldier. He entered the Confed-
crate army as a Lieutenant, and wa:
promoted successfully to be Captain
Major, Colonel and Brigadier General
Since the war he has served ten year,
in Congress, but never rose to any
prominence. His reputation only
consists in being a good fellow.
This is an impartial statement Of his
services, and all that can be pointed
out to the inquisitiye member elect
for Of course the old Representative.
properly gauge his abilities and re.
commentator.
Mr.. Atkins entered Congress at the
same time that Clark did, but the re.
cord made by him is different. He toe
was a Confederate soldier, and expe-
rienced in the Confederate Congress
As the chairman Of the House Com.
mittee on Appropriations, a position
conferred upon him by Mr.. Randall
be made a reputation second 10 none
as true reiormer OF the abuses pre-.
yalent 10 the government, and il
is iargefSjue to his honesty and per
sistenoy OF purpose that the Demo
cratic party has had the political CAPT.
tai with which to successfully battle
with the dominant power. No mar
everl more thoroughly studied anC
understood the necessities Of the Gov
eminent, and it can be said that NJ
expenditure was too trifingfor him Il
give il searching examination to as
certain whether it was actually re-
quired by the service. This brough
upon him the criticism of some VIII
| MaAbSA ANHubaNluus put ~ odNt0 lQl
Treasury hundreds OK thousands an
nually.
Now, the Office Of the Clerk Of thu
House is made up of small expendi
lures, and when recklessly made the,
create more scandal than larger mat
ters, and it is easy therefore to Sc,
that at this particular period it re
quires the supervision ola careful an,
discreet man. 1t is useless to den
that in the past few years some politi
cal scandal has been caused by giyin
the helm 10 careless and incompeten
men, and, no doubt, the party suffere
| thereby.
| 1t is reflections Of this oharacte
that add largely to the strength Of Nj
Atkins 10 the present contest. As ye
be has not formally opened the can
paign with this city as the initil
ground, but will. l presume, shortl
begin active work.
| Should you be sufferer from dysper