The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-03-03
TENNESSEE CRIME
ii. c. EVANS MAKES A PLAIN STATE
MENT TO THE PEOPLE.
How the Legislature, at the Instance
of Turney, Conspired to Rob Him
of the Governorship.

NASHVILLE, Tenn, March 2-Fon. H.
c. Evans made public to-day four-column
address to the people of the State in which
he reviews the history of the gubernatorial
question step by step and the history of
the Investigations in each county so far
had, explaining his position again. He in
sists that virtually his case has been
emasculated by the rules adopted by the
investigating committee and to which rules
the committee has restricted him and his
attorney. He claims that the verdict of the
people was expressed at the polls and that
there was doubt of his election. That
later the entire machinery of the State
government was put in operation apparent
~ for reversing and setting aside the will
of the people. He then refers to the delay
in announcing the returns and the delay of
the Legislature in opening and canvassing
the returns filed with the Speaker of the
Senate, claiming that the Constitution fixes
date for the announcement OF the result,
and that the resolution adopted by the
Legislature in reference to this matter was
unconstitutional. He also claims that the
Legislature kindly framed contest law
to meet the wishes of Governor Turney as
to a contest, although there con-
test law on the statute books and the
people had always acquiesced in the result
as shown by the official returns. He claims
this contest law was officially approved by
Governor Turney fifteen days after his term
of office had expired by constitutional limit.
He then sets out the proceedings of the
Joint convention in opening the returns,
the filing of his protest as to the uncon-
stitutionality of the proceedings, the OBJ
jections to the vote of the counties made
by Evans and Turney, and his taking the
oath of office after the last county had
been called and its vote announced-doing
so upon advice of attorneys that the law
and the Constitution had been complied
with as to opening and publishing the re-
Mr.. Evans then reviews the petition of
particulars filed by Turney and his own
answer, and the appointment of the COM
mittee he charges that. instead of pro-
ceeding to take evidence upon the charges
made by contestant and l. contestee. del,ner;
rulings and decisions by which his plead
ings and charges were emasculated and
which his attorneys filed exceptions. He
charges that the majority of the commit
and what passed over until NOW nothing
remains in the case except the application
of strictly technical rule in Republican
Counties In conclusion he says he wants
the people to know he is not responsible
for this farce: that he finds he is engaged
in an unequal contest; that the entire
power of the State government is arrayed
against him. except the militia which has
not yet been called out, and that he is the
first legally elected Governor of Tennessee
any other State accorded the privilege
of being a contestee while the defeated
candidate is allowed to hold over and usurp
the functions of Office in accordance with
a so-called law passed at his (Turney's)
request Finally, he says: II beg leave to
remind you that neither my counsel nor
myself have done anything from the be-
ginning, and will not to the ending. that
will in any way bring shame upon the
good name of the good people of Tennessee.
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 partisan
clouds of political hatred and injustice have
cleared away you may approve my course
and become convinced that made a cred
liable defense of the people of the State.
The address was made public in this city
this afternoon and excited but little COM
ment.