The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-03-03
CLAYEVANS MANIFESTO
WHY HE DOES NOT ABANDON THE
GUBERNAT0RIAL CONTEST,
He Says He 10 tho Confestes, Not, the
Contestant. Aud Is Only Defending
His Right TO the Seat,

CHATTANOOGA, TENN. March A.
Hon. III. Clay Evans has made public the
following:
I'm n number of letters received by mo
in this mornings mail. | am asked this
question. why do you contest: the qies-
ton Is settled. The judge has charged
you out of court and the only thing left
is the costs, and why put the State or
taxpayers to all this unnecessary ex-
pense? But, my friends. you must re-
member that | am not the plaintiff; I
am the defendant. and the defendant
cannot always dismiss the case. am
no. the contestant. Mr.. Peter Turney
commenced this thing. l am the confess
tee. L was elected. The returns OF tho
election of November 9th last, made by
the returning oncers OF the ninety-six
counties, showed that | had the highest
number or votes, and Tennessee's Con-
stitution says the candidate having the
highest number OF votes shall be Cover
nor, and being a law abiding citizen, II
Is quite humliating. under the circum-
stances, TO be compelled to discard the
Constitution OF Tennessee and not 10 act
/ want the good people OF this State TO
know and understand. that am not re-
sponsible in any way for this farce: neith-
er am / responsible for the cost that
VIII attend the play. | find | am en-
gagged In an unequal contest. The entire
power of the State government Is ar
rayed against me. SO far it Is true tho
militia has not been called into requisi-
ton, but If there is any other portion OF
the machinery or paraphernalia OF the
State Government that has not been
pressed into service, | am not advised
[ am told that not only the coal-oil IN
spectors, but the entire state revenue de-
partment the appointees OF the comptrol-
Ter, the railway tax assessors, and even
the State Superintendent OF Public
Schools, have abandoned their offices and
official duties. and are out in the field
I'm the capacity Of attorneys for Con-
testant Turney, aiding and advising in
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 con-
testee while. by a special arrangement
under the forms OF law, the candidate
defeated by the people is permitted to
hold over I'm the office, usurp its RESPONSE
bilities be burdened with its salary and
be contestant all at the same time. Have
we a Republican form OF Government
within the meaning OF the Constitution OF
the United States?
I'm conclusion. / beg leave TO remind
you that neither my counsel nor myself
have done anything from the beginning.
and will not TO the ending, that will In
any way bring shame upon the good
name of the good people of Tennessee.
1 have mado the fight. believing In the
right and justice OF our cause, strictly
within the limits OF the law and tbs
Constitution and I trust that hereasse'
when the partisan clouds OF pohica
na,sst aUa .s;u:.iSi ss4'isj NJ -. 4
become convinced that I made a credita.
BILE defence OF the rights of the people o'
the State. Your most obedient servant,
III CLAY EVANS