The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-05-07
It is Almost Too Bad to Be Believed
BY the People.
Col. O. w. Charlton Called Upon tc
Tell What He Knows.
He Does It Openly, and Is Willing
to Make Affidavit
That Bob offered Him the Commission
ership OF Agriculture, but Failing
to Get $4,000 From Charlton,
Dropped the Matter.
The following will explain itself:

The following will explain itself:
KNOXVILLE Tenn.. April 81, 1883.
Jo J. Ivins, Editor Post
] have carefully read your recent edito-
rial on the subject "Iniormation Wanted"
in which you call on me TO state definitely
whether or not Gov. Taylor promised mo
the position Of commissioner OF agriculture,
etc., and TO what extent he figured in the
$1,000 affair.
You say, in the meantime: "Serious
reflections are being cast upon Col. Charl-
ton and Col. Reeves about this matter,
and card from these gentlemen is de-
manded to set themselves right. Come to
the front, gentlemen.
This is demand was not expecting,
as had never said q single word on the
subject through any journal, or asked any
one to do so in my behalf. l have acted
carefully about the matter, for had no
desire whatever to get into the papers, and
that was afraid 10 do 50, or that the facts
mentioned were not true. Now, that II
seems imperative on me to ''come TO the
'front.'" and that SERIOUS reflections are
being cast upon me-" will unbosom my
self and be done with II.
hereby assert that the position In ques-
ton was promised me; that the Governor
took me into his office, locked the door
and entered into n long and aflcctionatc
conversation with me. Said he: Are
YOU going 10 move your family 10 Nash
ville?" To which replied, certainly not,
as there was no law requiring me 10 do
30. OF course, ! remarked, ! would make
my headquarters there and remain there.
He then said he thought / was right in
the matter. lie then propounded the
following question: "Wiil you agree TO
make manning certain gentlcman) your
chief clerk? He is a special friend Of
mine, is from Gibson county, county
that stood 10y me; applied TO me for the
position OF superintendent Of public in.
struction, hut had made up my mind 10
appoint another man aud therefore |
couldn't do il. would take II as special
favor II You would comply with my re-
quest" 10 which | made the following
reply: "You know, Goyernor, Il IL very i'm
portant 10 have anexpcrienccd man In thii
| department, one who understands the ma
/
/ 10 mike the agricultural bureau q COM
plctc success. as il IL an important arm ol
vouradminisiration, and ifun properly will
tend 10 strengthen and commend II 30
popular favor. so far.as am concerned
/ am not working for pay in the matter,
but for the good OF the State. Would you
not bc satisfied with Mai. Bate, who has
discharged the duties OF the office for
ycars, who is an honorable gentleman aud
IL thoroughly familiar with all the work
ings of the bureau2' In reply 10 this, he
said: 81 have nothing 10 do with the
Bates and will have nothing 10 do with
them" Then said I: "lt is important for
us to work IN harnt)ny. and at your earn
est request will consent TO employ the
young man In question So that wm
pleasantly arranged.
"Pullng out OF his lockct bundle Of
letters he read them 20 me, the purport Of
which was that they were fierce duns for
the payment Of debts Of one sort or
another. "Now," said he, cant you
loan me S3,OOO2 | want 10 get shut Of this
thing" promptly replied. no. lie then
suggested that, perhaps. | could borrow
| that amount from my Knoxville friends.
To this replied | could not, Here the
conversation suddenly ended, the door
was flung open and the room was soon
filled with callers, and that, too, was the
last Of his promise 10 appoint me TO the
| office mentioned.
With this statement, which am will
ing 10 be qualified 10 by any magistrate or
notary public In Tennessee, dismiss the
affair now and forever.
|