Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1884-10-04
For District electors.
WE II STILL SAY SCRATCH ,EM.

Our afIectionate friend and very
dear neighbor, the GAINESVILLE Demo-
cIat, takes issue with us in our advice
to those who don't favor a railroad
commission. Considering that our.
contemporary so strongly advocates
the commission and is, in that particu-
lar, Numerically opposed to us, it
should allow us the poor privilege of
advising those who are OF our way OF
thinking.
The Democrat says our position is
illogical, and attempts to prove it.
Looking at matters from the Demo-
Gratis standpoint that would be very
easy task. But our neighbor secs
through glass darkly," its view ID con-
tracted, and the whole truth can only
be known by clear scanning of the
entire field.
Our esteemed contemporary plays
Polonius to the Hamlet of Democratic
conventions. It's Democracy is not
guaged by the eternal principles of the
party, but it listens with bated breath
to catch what each succeeding cOnven-
ton has to say. III the convention
should declare the thing is almost in
the shape of a camel, the Democrat is
ready to exclaim, EBy the mass, it is
very much like Il camel, indeed
But if the convention thinks it is like
n weasel, or a whale, the Democrat will
give as ready an assent to the asser-
ton.
We do not consider the railroad
commission question party question.
1t is an outside issue rs much as a dog
law or a no-fence law would be. 1t is
a matter about which all Independent
men will think and act independently
in spite of their party affiliations.
fla man has been life long Demo-
crnt, that would not prevent him
from honestly opposing a railroad
commission, nor would such Opposi-
ton effect his Democracy. His prin-
ciples would remain the same they
had always been. $3.50 as ..l ..s..i
If party principles be closely applied
to the commission question, it will be
found undemocratic. If Democracy
means anything, it means free and
simple government, but this commits
sion idea is consistent only with a
strong Government; one that seeks
the control of private property. 1t
provides for multiplicity of offices and
unnecessary expense to the people.
Under these considerations the
CHRoNIcLE is independent enough to
oppose the commission and the so
called Democratic candidates who are
running for commissioners. The Re
publican candidates have declared that
they consider themselves mere figure
heads, and that the vote cast for them
will simply mean that the voter is OPP
posed to any commission. This is a
fact John Savage and his confreres
are the embodiment of the commits
sion idea and the person who opposes
the commission should not vote for
them. He cannot do so consistently
The election of the Republican candi-
dates will mean a notification of the
law; it will be a call on the Legisla-
ture for its repeal. But If the legisla-
ture does not so consider it, it will still
be virtual doing away with the COM
mission, for the Republican candidates
say they will not draw the salaries and
that is all the duty the commissioners
are expected to discharge. In support
Of this theory we refer to the inter
view with Judge Hughes, published
...
The Democrat says the Republican
platforms contains clause in regard |
10 the commission. That is true, and |
in order that our readers may know |
exactly what it is, we will quote it in
iull. II reads as follows:
Under pretense of benefitting the
people, but really in order to, create /
more big offices for more of the big |
nen, the Democratic party created Il
Railroad Commission, a commission |
20 fiagrantly in violation of Justice, law |
and the Constitution, that the Courts i
lad to enloin them from doing any
hing but drawing their salaries, which
hey severally do with great prompt
hess, efficiency, enthusiasm and una
limity. A commission by the way
hat is charged IN Democratic newspa-
1ers with giving extra low rates on the
FOODS shipped by the Democratic pen
Tertiary ring and extra high rates on
rain, -four and other product shipped
" and to the farmers of our State.
This dont.lo much as if they IA
rored the scheme. The fact is, the
cared nothing about the
natter one way or the other, but see
ne the unpopularity of the commits
ga they hit on this plano trying to
asinuate themselves into public favor.
The Democrat further charges us
nth inconsistency in supporting Gov.
late and our Legislative candidates
ecause, a. il aflirms, they all favor the
II can be readily seen
Aat this charge is founded on the
democrats one idea that the commits
Ca scheme is the party shiboleth.