The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-03-29
An Unequivocal Statement that He
Wishes To Be Senator.
He Has Nothing to Hide and Man.
fully Refers to His Record.
A Long Interview with the General
at Washington Yesterday.
The Canvass Will Be Made Upon the
Merits of the Mon, as There Are
No Political Differences
His Platform.
Special Dispatch 10 Tho Appeal.

WASHINGTON, March 2S.-That Gen.
Atkins is to be candidate for the United
States Senate in opposition to Isham G.
Harris, the present incumbent, has already
become known through the publication Of
an intimation TO that effect in letter TO
the editorof newspaper in Paris, the gen
erals old home, but until now no author
. ized statement Of that fact has been made.
The ArrEAL correspondent today had a
long interview with Gen. Atkins, in which
he stated, in unequivocal terms, his can.
didacy and the platform OH which he will
go before the Legislature.
When the direct question was asked
him as to whether he was candidate for
the Senate, Mr.. Atkins said: "well, /
have not formally announced my candi-
dature, but have said that intended to
be a candidate, and that in due time
would make the announcement over my
own signature, and from the hustings
Meanwhile have authorized some OF my
friends 10 say that | will at the proper
time declare my candidacy for seat in
the American Senate, commencing on the
4th OF March. 1889. ! contemplate resign
ing my present position, when, cannot
now definitely say, but in ample time TO
90 before the people OF Tennessee In the
approaching presidential canvass, that
may discuss the great political issues which
divide the Democratic and Republican
parties. have been thinking for some
years OF entering the race"
"Will yon enter into n presentation Of
your personal claims?"
THAT viii depend on the manner in
which the canvass may shape itself. 1t
will be my purpose TO uphold and advance
the principles and cause Of the Democratic
party, lis superior claims 20 the sunfiages
OF the people over any and all parties;
and in doing 30 | shall not feel that
have not spoken word for myself, Ms my
political hopes are inscparably linked to
the fortunes Of that party. | shall expect,
Of course, 10 be judged by the people for
what say and the ability Of my adyo.
cacy.
at is not expected that there will be
political differences among Democratic
asplants and therefore / presume each
candidate will make his appeal before
the people upon the simple ground OF
merit, leaving that, Of course, 10 be de-
= cidcd, not by ourselves, but by the popu-
lar judgment. ] shall not fear certainly
scrupulous and searching investigation
OF my public record which has been a
long one. During all those years in which
have served a. n representative In Con.
gress cannot recall a variance in my leg
islaiiye record from that OF the great body
OF the Democratic party. My votes and
speeches in Congress identify me with the
leading thoughts and measures Of the Dem
ocratic party as advanced and maintained
at the time. My speeches win speak for
themselves and they relate to almost
every public issue Of the times, ] believe,
whether Of finance, taxation, internal inn
provements or questions Of constitutional
grants and jurisdiction"
'werc you identified with any special
subject Of legislation"
well, Il NO happened without my
knowledge, even that II was contemplated,
until Il was done, that the deeply lamented
Speaker Kerr placed me upon the appro-
pria ton committee where / had TO grapple
with expenditures. I remained on that
committee for eight years, and ceaselcssly
and unremittingly labored to do my duty.
!. OF course became greatly interested In
the subject, and from necessity, you may
say, became specially identified with
that branch OF public service. When the
4 Democratic house came into power on the
memorable tidal wave Of 1874 the whole
country was struggling in the throcs OF the
n financial panic Of 1873.
'The credit ofihc government was very
much shaken. The expenditures we're in
excess OF the revenues, and there Nas
great need Of rigid economy in the cxpen'
dhure Of the public money. Under the
leading OF the appropriations COMMITTEES
OF the House Of Representatives, the pub
lie expenditures Of the government Tor that
term Of Congress were reduced over sjO,'
100000. The natural effect OF that was to
restore confidence and strengthen the pub
lie credit amazingly. The next Congress,
which was the Forty-hfth, reduced the
expenditures below the expenditures oI
the Fory-third Congress, which wa
Republican, about s25,0O0.00O PEI
annum, and the same was tru,
Of the Forty-sixih Congress. These i'm
mense savings Of the public money, TO
gether with the reconciliation Of silver
bore the country through the bl,
panic and made the much.boasted resump
ton Of specie payments possible and Of
practicable benefit In the end. Mr.
Randall and Judge Hallman served az
= chairmon during the Forty-fourth Con
gross, the former the long session, the
laller lhe short session, and ! came a'
chairman Of the committee Of the Forty
fifth, and continued as such chairman
during the forty-sxth Congress. The
committee al that time had charge OF al
the appropriation bills, except tina, ioI
rivers and harbors."
a. a