The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1889-07-11

Watkins, and in Jan. 1857 be-
came sole proprietor, and though
only 20years of age, assumed en-
tire management of its affairs.
From that day down 70 Jan. 1880
l continued in that relation. From
that day to this the CITIZEN has
prospered. From that day to this
it has not lacked for friends and
patronage. When l assumed con-
troll / changed Its name TO The In
dependent Citizen, indicating by
this change and announcing edi-
torially that henceforth it would be
politically independent. l an
nounced my purpose to make il
emphatically and essentially coun-
ty paper-devoted to the interests
of Giles County, and asked the Co
operation of all persons and parties.
Never did a people respond more
nobly or with more alacrity. They
seemed to be ripe for such a pro
ject. The CITIZEN kept it's promise
faithfully until the war wrought
such radical change ia parties
that Democracy was the only de-
cent thing left, and of course it
was ever afterwards democratic.
AT the first | began the organize.
ton Of this corps OF county CORES
pondents, and agents, which for 80
many years was distinctive feat.
ure Of the CITIZEN, which has been
al arm OF so much strength to it ia
the past, and which has since been
SO extensively initiated by others
Thus you see / was the pioneer in
organizing this county correspond
ence system. At first the idea was
ridiculed by other editors, who
however subsequently, acknowl-
edged their error, and themselves
accepted the plan. During the war
there was q forced suspension OF
something over 3 years. When it's
publication was resumed, thought
it an opportune time to resume It's
original name, and hence 1t came
out and has ever since continued
as the Pulaski CITIZEN. After the
war it prospered as never before,
and just here | feel constrained to
acknowledge greatfully that its pop
ularity and success was largely
due to the vigilance, intelligence,
and enthusiasm Of it's correspond
ents and agents. Some of you vet
Grams present today were my CO
adjutors back in the 70's if not in
the COS. To these my heart is
bound by the ties of undying
friendship.
From the first of my connection
with the CITIZEN, and for several
years after the war, my brother,
Frank .. McCord, now the veteran
editor OF the same, vas my associ
ate and local editor To him ]
owe more than / can express aud
more than | shall attempt to tell
But for his pencil and for his time
ly aid the CITIZEN would have been
less successful and often less read
able. For brief but brilliant Pc
/ Rod in the 70's | had the assist
ance of one of the most gifted and
versatile minds that ever adorned
the tripod. l ailude 10 the late
John Bateman Smith, relict of the
present proprietor of the CITIZEN
who himself in 1880 became by
purchase joint proprietor will
Laps. d. McCord, lately retired
from its management and editori
al chair. Mr.. Smiths career as ed
itor of the CITIZEN was brief bu
exceedingly luminous. The files o
the paper for 1880 show brillian
cy, a versatility and an untirine
energy almost un, qualed. His I'm
timely death not only left vote
in the Citizen family impossible tt
ever fill again, unless his insplra
ton and his mantle should fall up
on his only boy, who though but ,
child inherlts to wonderful de
gree the likeness and the genius o
the father-but ended the career
of an intellectual Ct MUS whose Ca
pabi lities were immense and who's
brief professional life had addet
luster to the profession of Journal
ism. But ] have anticipated
About the year 1867 my youn9
brother, Laps. D., then Il lad of II
or l6 years, entered the office as
printer boy, since which time vi
to the beginning of the presen
year of our Ltrd 1889 he has beer
connected Herewith, first as ap
prentice, then as printer, then a:
assistant and local editor, and fl
nally in 1880 as joint editor ant
prop ietor with Mr.. Smith. lie
him, as you all know, / was indie bt
ed for much that helped 10 max
the CITIZEN success. In fact
do not now see how it could hav,
succeeded so well without him
After the death of Mr.. Smith hi
wife succeeded TO his interest and
Laps to the chief editorship. Thu
the CITIZEN continued until Jan
1889, when Laps retired, Mrs
Smith became sole proprietor anC
+. o. McCord succeeded again t.
the editorship.
] thought this occasion suitabl,
for the relation of these facts con
ntcted with the history of The CIR
IzEN, and though disjointed anG
impcrtectly written, rust they
are not uninteresting 20 you, who
have always manifested so mucl
interest in every thing pertaining
10 the dear old paper.
Permit me in closing to thanl
you one and ali, for myself and 70
all the other editors and proprie
tors, and especially for my widow
ed sister, The present proprietor
for the untiring yea! and friendship
you have always extended to tn,
CITIZEN, and to commend it nov
more than ever % your affections
and assistance. She has had tt
labor under great disadvantage:
this year-greater perhaps thar
you have ever imagined lnexpe-
rienced in business management
and editorial duties, and totally
unfamiliar with the mechanical de-
partment and with the routine du
ties of the office, she has had tt
shoulder every responsibility and
look after every detail in person
This was a herculean task tor hel
greater than most women would
have undertaken-and though there
have been shortcomings and delin
quences trust that you and the