The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1885-06-04
NY RESIGNATION.


1t is probably expected by the
public and especially by my imme
date constituents, that l should
give some reasons for resigning g
position with which a generous and
noble people had honored me in the
44th general assembly.
The last session of the legisla
ture, it should be borne in mind,
was protracted to az unusual and
unnecessary length by recesses and
adjOurnments and it was late in
April before the members were per-
mitted to return home sand engage
in their business avocations. NV
business being farming and farm
ing only, 1 found on my return al
most no preparation made for
planting and nothing at all done
toward repairing the hundreds and
hundreds of panels of fencing nee
essary to protect the crops to be
made. With all the industry and
energy I could command set out
to make up the lost time and to
overcome as far aspossible the dis
advantages under which l was
placed. 1 planted once, twice, and
a large portion three times, only to
have all destroyed by cut worms as
fast as the blade or leaf made its
appearance above ground. In the
midst Of this operation the govern
or calls an extra session of the leg
islature and the seeming alterna-
tive is presented to me, either TO
resign my seat or to lose a crop
and fail to make support for my
family and suffer financial disaster.
This picture is not Overdrawn in
the estimation and experience of
those who depend upon farming
with its unorganized, unskilled and
uncertain labor for support. think
l can safely say that any man &C.
cupying my place for one week
would give the most unqualified en-
dorsement of my course in the mat
ter. But l have other reasons po-
tent to me % least. TO pass any
bill mentioned in the governors
call would not require the presence
of all the democrats in the house,
Nearly everything mentioned in the
call passed the house without
trouble or difficulty at the last SEES
sion and hence l do not believe
the interests Of democracy or the
people of my state or county would
be jeopardized by my absence. An
other reason l would mention is,
my health has been poor for sever
al weeks, having been confined to
my room and bed much of the time |
with chills and rheumatism. Nv
wife has suffered from i'll health and |
needed my assistance in her de- !
oartment of business.
For these reasons and others / !
Gould add, resigned my seat and |
am teo incredulous to think that
here is another man in the county |
worthy to be called a man, situated |
md circumstanced as I have been, |
would have acted differently from
What l did. In retiring from office !
want to say that I am and ever ex.
1eet to be much Interested in the
ttairs of state of the nation and in
democracy and shall ever be ready |
- q citizen to devote my time and |
,alents to the promotion of their |
pest interest and prosperity. 1 want
20 take this occasion to say to my
friends especially and to the people
Of the county generally that as your
public servant and a democrat l
have tried conscientiously with
whatever ability and energy could
to serve with fidelity and
20 secure the greatest benefit 10 the
greatest number of my people re
yardless Of party affiliations. am !