Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-03-03
FROM non. II. CLAY EVANS.
Omen Letter In which Gov. Turney's
OppOncnt Claims Election.

CHATTANOOGA, TENN, March =
Hon. II. Clay Evans has made public
the following:
"In number of letters received by me
in this mornings mail ] am asked TINS
question: why do you contest; the ques-
ton lis settled; the judge has charseu
you out of court. and the only thlns IeIt
is the costs, ana why put the State or
taxpayers to all this unnecessary eX-
penseg But. my friends. you must re-
member that | am not the plaintin; am
the defendant. and the defendant cannot
always dismiss the case. | am not the
contestant. Mr.. Peter Turney commenced
this thing. / am the contestee. 1 was
elected. The returns Of the election OF
November 9Th last, made by the return
ing officers OF the ninety-six countess
showed that | had the highest number
of votes, and Tenressee'S Constitution
says the candidate having the highest
number Of votes shall be Governor and,
being a law-abiding citizen, IL is quite
humiliating, under the circumstances. TO
be compelled to discard the Constitution
Of Tennessee and not to act as Governor
when entitled to the office. l want the
good people OF Tennessee to know and
understand that l am not responsible IN
any way for this farce; neither am / re-
sponsible for the cost that will attend the
play.
II find am engaged in an unequal con-
test. The entire power OF the state Gov
eminent is arraigned against me. so FAR,
1t is true, the militia has not been called
INTO requisition. but If there is any other
portion of the machinery or paraphcr-
malta of the state Government that has
not been pressed into service l am not
advised. / am told that not only the coal
oil inspectors but the entire State Reve-
nue. Department. the appointees OF the
Comptroller the railway-tax assessors,
and even the State Superintendent OF Pub
lie Schools, have abandoned their Offices
and official duties, and are out In the held
in the capacity of attorneys for Contest
ant Turney, aiding and advising m the
farCical Investigation. | believe that L
am now having the distinction of being
the first legally elected Governor OF Ten
nessee. or any other State, who was ever
accorded the privilege of being contestee,
while by a special arrangement, under the
form OF law. the candidate regulated by
the people is permitted to hold over IN
the Office, usurp It's responsibilities, be
burdened with its salary, and he con-
testant all at the same time Have we
a republican form of government within
the meaning of the Constitution of tie
United States?
I'm conclusion. | beg leave TO remind
you that neither my counsel nor myself
have done anything from the beginning,
ana will not TO the ending. that viii IN
any way bring shame upon the good name
OF the good people Of Tennessee. l have
made the fight. believing in the right
and justice Of our cause, strictly within
the limits Of the law and the Constitution.
and | trust that hereafter. when the partl-
san clouds Of political hatred and injus-
tice have cleared away you may approve
my course and become convinced that |
made n creditable defence OF the rights
OF the people o; the State.
"Your most obedient servant.
III. CLAY EVANS"