Asheville daily citizen. [volume] (Asheville, N.C.) 1890-1900, 1893-06-07
SPEAKING OF THE MARKET
AND, INCIDENTALLY ON 9TH
EW CITY MATTERS
DnayOr Patton Olives some Points
That VIII Interest AshevilIians,
whether 8ara1&htOuGs or EIC-
fOrnlers-NIr.I I-Vnch's Case.

EDITOR THE CITIzEN:- You give the
names of several men who signed a
pc tition in favor of MI. Lynch's re-elec-
ton. Are you aware that many, per-
haps most of these men after signing,
went to the chairman of the market
house committee and requested him to
see that Mr.. Lynch was not elected !? 1
have been told that such is the case, and
for the credit of these men will be very
glad to have the report contradicted.
Indeed there is no greater evil now
threatening the public than the loose
way in which men, otherwise sincere,
sign any apple. a,,si' presented to them.
Only n few SUNDAYS ago while my brain
vile, and how to protect the sanitary
officers from arrest by PIoUs policemen,
looked with envy on an esteemed friend,
disturbed by no such un Cody mcdita-
tions. but calmly going to Sunday school
to teach boys and girls the words of
SINCERITY and truth" But my envy
disappeared next day when this same
friend said to me: II signed petition
for - as sanitary inspector, but OF
course know you have more sense than
to appoint him l hunted up the petit
tion and found it to certify that the
applicant was well qualified tor the
position.
am rather surprised to learn that the
recent elections satisfy eX-Mayor Blan-
ton, because L am told his only petition
was in favor of John Thomas Neighbors
as policeman. and he certainly was not
elected.
Now Mr.. Editor is it not time for
honest men to call n halt in this petition
signing business? 1 for one think it is.
and 1 have that opinion of your good
judgment, as to be surprised at your
basing your criticism of Yesterday on
any such ground.
The fact is. as your reporter will state
today Tuesdays report OF the Board
meeting, that good reasons existed tor
not clccting MIR. Lynch. These reasons
have been submitted to a competent
intention to forestall this report, but
hope it will set MIR. Ly nch in the position
as an honorable man, which all eX-Con-
fcdcrate soldiers should maintain, and
shall maintain ifI can aid them to do So.
Now n word Mr.. Editor. as to your
criticism of the recent election. You
seem to object to Nj: Harkins because
the Straightout Democrats whether or
not they solicited Republican Harkins
to be their candidate for mayor at the
late election. In city officers l know not
w he thcr any man is Democrat or Re
publican; only seek competent men. l
do know that under the former admins
tration / saw a number of negroes who
had been arrested for gambling lodged
in the largest and most comfortabl
room in the city prison. and passing
"A way the Sunday hours by aid OF n pack
of cards; and do know that found at
the same time white men shut up in a
dark and comfortless cell; and do know
that at another time l saw white man
| locked up, eating and sleeping in the
same apartment with negroes; and with
out asking Mr.. Harkins as to his poll
tics, 1 notify him now that should ever
see these things permitted by him, shall
cert ainlv ask speedily for his resignation,
but l am so well acquainted with Mr..
Harkins that have no fear of any such
abomina nations existing in the city prison
this year.
Now, why will you not criticise all
things fairly? Let ME suggest a plan.
Reproduce a certain family tree which
adorned your columns two years ago,
and say this was the result of the
Straightout Democratic administra ion
ard then publish the names of those
elected last Friday, and l will ask you
| to point among them to a single son or
| brother. and will advise you if you find
| any such among them to kick out the
| Reform Aldermen, as the Straightouts
| cert ainly deserved to be kicked out, w hen
| they disgraced Asheville bv planting
| their genealogical tree of 1891. Verv
| respectful T. ". Patton.