The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1885-03-05
Mr.. Cherry.

Mr.. Cherry.
The gentleman whose name heads
this article is ostensibly a quiet
citizen of Nashville, a capitalist
very largely interested in various
enterprises. But, Notwithstanding
this apparent privateness Of his
character, there is no man who ex.
ercises a greater influence in Ten
nessee politics and his fine Italian
hand is apparent in all public mat
ters in this state.
He is not a clustering boss like
his late partner, the willy and indus
trious Tom O'CUnnor. Yet from
his perch behind the throne he has
managed the thing abont as well
as Tom did, though the signs of
the times point to a decay of his
power.
What does this subtle control of
Tennessee politics by = man like
Mr.. Cherry mean? That's a prob
lem which Tennessee voters could
work out to their advantage. Mr..
Cherry is no politician in the ordi-
nary acceptation of the term. That
is, he don't burn with ambition for
political nOtoriety and is not con-
sumed with party zeal for the par
TVS sake. Mr.. Cherry is what
might be termed a professional
money geCter. He is rich man and
gives his time and attention to in
creasing his store.
Wherever Mr.. Cherry appears,
therefore, it may be safely conclud-
ed that there is money in sight and
that the object of his appearance is
to scoop the FUNDS into his own Pile
thoric pocket. Mr.. Cherry used to
be very good republican. At least
when he and Tom O'Connor were
operating together, Tom run the
democracy and in his heariest and
most cordial manner introduced
Mr.. Cherry to certain East TeRnes-
see members of the legislature as
"the republican member of our
firm" About this time, too, Mr..
Cherry held high place in a Gar
field and Arthur club.
But since the death of O'Connor,
Mr.. Cherry has come forth as the
only genuine fountain head demo-
crat in Tennessee, and has spent
his shekels pretty freely to control
the party and to cast out men that
might interfere with such control.
At a great cost he has maintained
the Nashville World. The paper
has never paid expenses, but Mr..
Cherry has persiStently footed def
cheney bills and kept it running.
Not content with this, he has paid
over 500, 900 for the American, and
seems DESTROYS to control the entire
press at the state capitol.
Why has Mr., Cherry lavished his
beloved ducats on an Improbable
newspaper enterprise? He ia a
sound and successful fnancer; it is
somewhat peculiar that he should
stick to = thing that don't pay
Why has he developed such fond
hess for newspaper property? He
is not journaliSSS, and as far as the
investment in itself may be consid-
cred, he could make better use of
his money.
Citizens Of Tennessee, the solu-
ton to this apparent mystery lies
in these words, viz: The penitcn-
tiary lease. There is big money in
that lease, and that is what Mr.
Cherry is after. He wants all that
can be made out Of it, and in order
to accomplish his ends he must con
troll politics and legislation, and
newspaper Is his instrument for that
purpose.
Furthermore, it would be a big
pile of money in Mr.. Cherry's peck
ct to get very low freight rates for
his penitentiary products and hence
comes all this howl for a railroad
commission. When a commission
was created the first thing it was
found doing was fixing rates in Mr..
Cherry's interest.
The commission WAS enjoined by
the courts and the people voted it
down, but in spite of the law and in
spite of the ballot box, Mr.. Cherry
is again moving heaven and earth
to get another and stronger com
mission bill through the Legislature.
A railroad commission will be
hurtful to the interests of the state
and a positive injury to her people.
1t will benefit no one but this sleek,
fat spider Of Nashville, who gluts
his sel6shness on the flies that may
be ensnared into his web.
All of these things shall be paint
ed and blazoned in such livid colors
before the people Of Tennessee that
they shall become thoroughly &C
quainted with them, and Legislators
will be held strictly accountable for
their action.
tsc:-I - IL; ), - 81 ..;