The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1884-08-27


hanson County or any OF its districts
/ remember that in the course of cDn
versation with some of the gentlemen
, whom met there one of them made some al
fusion to the vote cast at the primary on III,
day before; spoke of the relative strength de
veloped by the respective candidates; and, i
do not err, this led to discussion in which
some computation was made of the entire
vote OF the county. ButnOthing said on tl1i
head was suggested by me; made no memo
rnndum of any such statement and have M
recollection of the figures" While in Frank
lin saw only six or eight gentlemen. held
conversation upon railroad matters with hui
Office of Mr.. ]. L. Parks Cashier of the ma
tional bank. and, believe, he was present
during the whole of it. Ny conversation
was principally with Judge Wallace, who
is, believe, a member of the Board 81
Railway Assessors, and Mr.. Atha Thomas,
the state Treasurer. These gentlemen criti.
cised the action of the railroad corpora
tons in eontesting the recent assessment
/ of their properties, and we drifted into some
discussion of the Railroad Commission.
trust said nothing which they deemed OF
opinion, can bear testimony to the courtesy
as well as ability with which they ex-
| pressed their own. am sure that your co.,
| respondents letter (if they have seen it, has
surprised them as much as it has me. No
| citizen of Franklin advised me TO 'go back
| home and remain there and not meddle
| with affairs in Tennessee Such a speech,
| with no more reason for its utterance than
my conduct afforded. would have been 6.
4
/ TenneSsean have yet seen could be capable.
| Nor was my visit TO Franklin made with
| any hope or purpose of affecting in any re-
| spect the canvass or the legislative election.
| ! purposely postponed il until after the
/ primary election had been held, and enter
| tanned no audacious plan of arraying and
vote"
The paper to which 1 have already alluded,
| upon the strength of this letter of your CORE
spondent, has edltorialy advertised me as
one who can be persuaded to come into a
Democratic State TO uphold the banner of
Brownlow. now descended into the hands of
Houk, and it expresses sorrow that ! have
so far overStepped the bounds of propriety."
should have cause for profound regret II
were SO ignorant of either the prophecies OF
political conduct, or the decenCies of social
life, that / stood in need of such teacher.
The insinuation that 1 have attempted to
aid in the defeat of the Democratic candi-
dates for the Legislature, elect Republicans,
or induce condition of things which would
Ina peril the Democratic control of Tennessee
IS as absurd as it is unique. The specific
charges that have counse1ed action looking
10 that end are false. If not, it should be
easy TO prove them. l have conferred with
very few people upon railroad matters in my
visits to Tennessee. If have urged any man
here TO do anything which will Injure the
Democratic party 10 vote for Republican, to
beat regular nominee with an independent,
to assist in revolt or DISCRIMINATION, the fact
ought 10 be easily ascertained. If any gen.
tleman with whom have spoken remem-
bers that have so offended, / trust that he
feel bound in honor not to divulge it.
am accused of having attempted some
thing OF this sort at the Democratic Conven-
ton at Tullahoma, where remained for one
day on my way to McMinnville.
mentioned the railroad question but to
one gentleman while there, and that was sim
ply to ask him what was the sentiment of his
people regarding Railroad Commission. 1t
is true that while there the kindness of the
assem- bled delegations made me more prOmi-
nent than deserved or desired. Several gen.
tlemen insisted that should go upon the
stand. would have declined the proffered
compliment, but that it was so warmly and
cordially urged, that declination would have
been churlish Without the slightest expec-
tatiOn upon my part that would be so hon.
convention in terms which touched me more
profoundly, becaused they conveyed an elo-
quent tribute TO my slain and heroic COM
mander. The manner in which it was re-
ceived and was welcomed / can never for
get. None but a boor or an migrate could
have failed to make some response. / strove
to tell the qualification / felt so sincerely
but am sure that 1 did not abuse the kindly
sentiment shown me. by any utterance un-
becoming the occasion and my audience.
have not attempted interference in the
have had no thought of influencing the
election of legislators. But representing in
some measure the great railroad properties
which lie partially in Tennessee, and whose
interests will be directly affected by the rail-
road legislation which is contem plated, I
have sought, in pursuance of what l con-
in their service, to use all fair argument and
legitimate effort, to modify prejudice or hos
tility, if either existed, upon the part of the
people toward them. would not hesitate to
do this in Kentucky, in Tennessee or in any
Southern State; and so long as l abstain from
i'm proper methods and political intrigues /
feel no self-reproach, and will not acknowl-
edge the right of newspapers to publish me
as a participant in things culpable or inviting
condem nation.
In the prosecution of this business 1 shall
not hesitate to employ temperance and "a
LOnal remOnstrance against measures which
] believe obstructive and injurious, not only
to the interests of the railroad corpora
tons, but of the people as well. Firmly con-
WINGED that the prosperity and development |
of the Southern States depend upon an in
crease in their transportation facilities and |
that the railroad construction, which can |
alone furnish such facilities, will be impeded, |
If not altogether prevented, by such legisla- |
do all can, by the presentation of facts and |
reasons TO the attention OF the people, to in |
duce moderate counsels and friendly policy |
in its stead. Believing that Railroad Commits
sions never effect the purposes for which they /
are created that they do much harm and no /
good that they cost the corporations great |
loss, without any benefit to the people that i
they lead to confusion, litigation, bitterness
and disappointment, / shall always oppose |
them is that they take the place of general
laws, which might be enacted for the healthy |
regulation of railroads. 1 have not and /
shall not reflect upon those who differ with
A |
proper understanding of these matters. But |
will not allow denuneiation and calumny
to deter me from the decent and legitimate |
exercise of just right.
1t is said that have net been invited into |,
Tennessee by 1.-THE official head of Tennessee
Democracy" Very true. have neither
asked nor received such invitation. Nor have |
solicited, nor have / been granted by any |
journalistic censor or autOcrat, permission to
enter the State, nor leave to speak; but /
claim that every individual, and every asso-
citation of individuals, is entitled to do that |
which is necessary to the assertion and main
tenance of theirproPerty rights. They may
do ii directly or by their authorized agents. |
They cannot be debarred from asking the /
protection of the courts if they be injured by |
an act for which the laws provide remedy.
They should not, and rlghtfully cannot be |
protest and decent opposition to |
legislation which threatens injury or ruin to !
their interests. The railroad corporations hon
estly believe that their business and prop |
erty will be very seriously impaired if virtu- |
ally placed under the control and manage
ment of three officials who do not practically |
understand the business, and have no such |
interest in the property win insure that
careful conduct which proprietary interest |
Only induces.
does not condemn, but inculcates this belief |
One of its essential doctrines is that all classes
Of citizens and every character of peeuniary
interest, shall be equally protected by the
avs and subjected to like and uniform con- |
irol. Judicial regulation, justice admins
sered by the courts and the largest freedom
)f individual action, the completest control
Of property by its owner, are the distinguish
ng characteristics of the American theory of |
government. Special commissions which
hall exercise arbitrary control over the prop
srty of the citizen, prescribe his conduct and
determine the prices of his commodities or
his services, are more akin to the monarchical
ystems of the Old World.
But in any aspect of the case, why should
he railroad companies be denied the privi- |
eye OF seeking to avert by fair argument
egislation which they believe to be inimical !
o them, when all other persons are permitted
uch action.