The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-05-06

anu 'Nohouhy tHJt HTcdL CoihHliltcc per-
formed under his guidance as chairman.
To say that tho retrcnchment OF expendi-
lures OF $25,000,o00 per annum did not
tend to relieve the staggering
credit OF the government at most critical
period Of financial embarrassment would
be to ignore plain and obvious effect OF
palpable cause. Many useless Offices were
dispensed with, and many extravagant
salaries were reduced and many needed
reforms were inaugurated.
The speeches OF Mr. Atkins on the
important and interesting subject OF APP
preparations and expenditures were elabo-
rate and accurate, and were used and re-
lied upon as reliable campaign statistics
for several campaigns throughout the
Union by the Democratic speakers and
which were not denied by the candid Re-
publicans.
Mr.. Atkins left behind in the House
OF Representatives the universal regret Of
both Democrats and Republicans, for,
while he discussed, as his numerous
speeches will show, almost all OF the lead
ing economic and other issues Of the
times during his service, there was one
thing he scrupulously avoided, and that
was not to voluntarily introduce political
and partisan issues into the consideration
Of the appropriation bills, regarding them
in the light OF business affairs, vitality af-
fccting all OF the varied interests OF the
people in which all parties were or should
be equally interested and not US issues for
partisan wranglc or dispute. Hence he
was remarkably popular in the House and
very successful and expert in the manage
ment OF the appropriation bills in their
passage through that body.
Mr.. Atkins, although a fluent speaker
and close debater, had the acumen to OBJ
serve that speeches on the floor Of Con-
gress which did not inform the members
were not listened 10, hence his speeches
were generally brief, giving clear and ac-
curate statement Of facts and leaving the
members TO deducc their own conclusions
without advice. II may be truly said OF
him that he was always listened TO re-
spcctfully, the members knowing that
when he had impaired what knowledge he
had acquired by hard and laborious study
and research he would sit down and leave
them to their own reflective reasoning.
lie discussed among other subjects dur
ing his service In Congress the civil rights
bill, the unconstitutiOnaity OF the tai
leged) power OF the general government to
supervise elections in States, the attempted
reconstruction OF Arkansas, the Pacific
railroad, tirili, finance, appropriations, ex-
pcndiiures, etc.
Mr.. Atkins firmncss, in conjunction
with the Hon. William X. Morrison, OF
! Illinois, who together defeated the army
appropriation bill in the Forty-fiith Con.
grcRs, was believed TO have had much 10
do with the famous combating policy oil
President HAYES in Withdrawing the troops
from the State OF Louisiana and allowing
that people 10 again breathe the free air oil
home rule.
Mr.. Atkins, too, was the only member
Of the conference committee that stood out
against the appropriation OF S5,5O0,0OO Tor
the award TO Great Britain under the irca'
| ~ Of Washington, which all Americans
now regret was paid by the United States
To that government Mr.. Atkins was an
active worker and supporter OF the internal
improvement policy 10 which both OF the
political parties have accorded general
consent since the war. lie regarded the
improvement Of the nayignble rivcr rs ol
great advantage TO the producers OF the
country in ailording increased commercial
facilities besides being a powerful com
petition 10 the railways, thus ehcapeninl
| the costs Of transportation. HIS services
/ in this rcaard are better known TO his col
| leagues with most Of whom lac cordially
concurrcd aud co-opcrpted, than they ar,
To the public, ~ the work was done In
tine committees instead OF upon the ilool
OF tho House. Perhaps II may be truly
said that the opening Of the Tennessee
| river by obviaiing tho obstruction at th,
the Muscle Shoals 10 navigation IL NOR,
| largely due TO his nS-iduous efforts than e
| any other ono member Of Congress, unlcsi
! IL n Gen. Dibrcll, his colleague, and Gen
Forncy, of the adjoining district In Ala
bama. When the Democracy assembled
in June, 1891, Mt Nashville 10 nominal,
delegates Ia the national convention ant
20 choose candidates for presidential elec
tons, MIR. Atkins was chosen 10 preside
In the place of the Hon. John Y. House
who had been regularly selected and nom
mated, M was the custom Of the Stat
executive committee, but which that gen
tlcman refused to accept
The convention was one OF the stormics
that ever assembled in the State, display
ing ability aud high order OF forensic an,
parliamentary tact, but II was conceded b,
all sides that MIR. Atkins rulings wcr
sound and fair, and his power oi sclf-com
posture was equal TO the task Of maintain
ing general dccorum and order although
condition oi extraordinary excitement pre-
vailed In the convention between the twl
wings ofthc party, very nearly equally Ill
yidcd. Such was the esteem that Mr.
Atkins was held that over his earnest pro
test lac was by the unanimous voice Of tn
delegates assembled placed upon the cleo
loral ticket for the State at large, and o