Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1885-02-21
MR.. CHERRY.

Inc gentleman WHOSE name IlOaQs
this article is ostensibly quiet CITIZEN
of Nashville, a capitalist very largely
interested in various enterprises. But
Notwithstanding this apparent private
ness OF his character, there is no man
who exercises a greater influence in
Tennessee politics and his fine Italian
hand is apparent in all public matters
in this State.
He is not clustering boss like his
late partner, the willy and industrious
Tom O'Cunnor. Yet from his perch
behind the throne he has managed
the thing" about 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 a man like Mr.
Cherry mean That's a problem which
Tennessee voters could work out to
their advantage Mr. Cherry is no
politician in the ordinary acceptation
OF the term. That is, he don't burn
with ambition for political notoriety
and is not consumed with party zeal
for the party's sake. Mr.. Cherry is
what might be termed a professional
money getter He is a rich man and
gives his time and attention toincreas-
ing his store.
Wherever Mr.. Cherry appears, there
fore, it may be safely concluded that
there is money in sight and that the
object of his appearance is to scoop
the funds into his own plethoric pock
ct. Mr.. Cherry used 10 be very good
Republican. At least when he and
Tom OConnor were operating togeth-
er, Tom run the Democracy and in
his heartiest and most cordial manner
introduced Mr.. Cherry to certain
East Tennessee members of the Legis
lature as @the Republican member Of
our firm" About this time, too,
Mr.. Cherry held high place in a
Garfield and Arthur club.
But since the death OF O'COnnor,
Mr.. Cherry has come forth as the only
genuine fountain head Democrat 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 great cost he
has maintained the Nashville World
The paper has never paid expenses,
but Mr.. Cherry has persistently footed
deficiency bills and kept it running.
Not content with this, he has paid over
100000 for the American, and seems
DESTROYS 10 control the entire press at
the State capital.
Why has Mr.. Cherry lavished his
beloved ducats on an improbable
newspaper enterprise? He is a sound
and successful iinanceer; it is some
what peculiar that he should stick to
a thing that don't pay. Why has he
developed such fondness for newspa-
per property He is not journalist,
and as far as the investment in itself
may be considered, he could make a
better use of his money.
Citizens of Tennessee. the solution
to this apparent mystery lies in these
words, viz: The Penitentiary 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 control politics and legisla-
ton, and a newspaper is his instru-
ment for that purpose.
Furthermore, it would be big pile
of money in Mr.. Cherry's pocket to
get very low freight rates for his pen
itentiary products and hence comes
all this howl for a railroad commits
sion. When a commission was crea-
ted the first thing it was found doing
was fixing rates in Mr.. Cherry's inter
est.
This 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 4 stronger commission
bill through the Legislature.
A railroad commission will be hurt |
full 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 selfshness
on the flies that may be ensnared into |
his web.
All of these things shall be painted |
and blazoned in such livid colors before |
the people of Tennessee that they shall
become thoroughly acquainted with
them, and Legislators will be held |
strictly accountable for their action.