Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1896-02-19
COMMON SENSE THE RULE.

COMMON SENSE THE RULE.
lsWhen a mar builds a fine house he
employs a first class carpenter to do the
work, and not "a botch." When he has
an important suit in court he fees a good
lawyer and not "a jackleg." The farm
er will onlysemploy hands who are So
Der, industrious and familiar with all
kinds of farm work. The mill and fac
tory owners put only skilled operatives
in charge OF their machinery. Railroad
companies put only capable, efficient
drivers at the throttles of their locomo-
tives. This care and caution is not only
the exaction Of economy and safety, but
the in1exible rule of common sense and
sound judgment.
Now, should we not exercise a similar
prudence and forethought in matters
political? Is it not a palpable fact that
the national fault of overlooking or ig-
noring the best material at hand is the
main cause Of so much imbecility and
incompetency in making and admins
tering the laws? Yea, verify, it is the
prolific womb from which has issued all
the troubles and distresses we are now
experiencing.
AS far as the influence of one Congress
man can possibly go, this Congressional
District has in hand a splendid opportu-
nifty to protect itself against the grow
ing evil that we have pointed out. With
out depreciation or unfavorable criti-
cism of other congressional aspirants,
save as is involved in a candid and I'M
prejudiced comparison Of their rival
claims, and for this we are in no wise re-
sensible, we can say, for the facts are
that way, that the varied experiences
n capabilities of Col. Brownlow, to-
gether with his commanding influence
and wide acquaintance with the controll-
ing spirit of the Republican party pre-
eminently denote him as the man who
should be sen to the National Legisla-
ture.
Were he to walk into the Senate and
House Of Representatives today he
would be recognized and welcomed by
the men who have moulded the policy
and made the history Of the Republican
party for the last quarter of a century.
These party leaders, by a long and IA
miliar association with him, have learn
ed his wonderful aptitude as a political
student, his clear comprehension Of pub
lie questions, and his perfect mastery,
not of the "glitering generalities" only,
but OF the minutest details of the science
OF politics. They know his worth, his
diligence, his acumen, the promise of
useful service that is in him, and in oral
and written testimony Of their high ap-
probation Of Col. Brownlow have shown
agreat anxiety to see him in Congress.
Could this Washington influence settle
the rivalship, no one but Col. Brownlow
would be thought of. Nor is this all.
Col. Brownlow actually lived in the De-
partments at Washington for years. He
has been in every corner and trod every
corridor in those immense buildings
over and over again, in the service Of the
thousands of claimants in this district.
There is not an intricacy Of the red tape
system with which he is not perfectly
familiar. There is not a law or ruling
OF any OF these Departments of which
he is ignorant, and he can tell at once
whether a ctaim can "pass muster"
This would save the claimant a vast
amount of trouble and worry. II the
claim is a good one, Col. Brownlow
knows exactly how to prosecute it to a
speedy and successful termination.
A familiar and commanding figure in
the working circles at the Capitol, in
touch with the springs of official life
II action and the influences that shape
and control Republican policies, Col.
Brownlow would begin his work as a
Congressman with the effectiveness Of
thorough preparation. To send q man
to Congress- from this district especially,
without this acquaintance, knowledge,
training and influence, is simply vast
ing the peoples time and money from
two to four years.
We ask the Republican voters of the
district to take a calm, impartial, COM
mon sense view Of the situation. Do not
be led astray by the rattle Of the clap
trap nor the cheap oratory of the ad cap
tandem grafton. Do not mistake the
empty vanity Of mere pretensions for
real ability and solid merit, Your own
immediate interests and, to a large ex-
tent, the interests of the country are at
stake. The responsibility is yours. II
you make a mistake, it will recoil upon
yon.
Again the. question recurs II Colonel
Brownlow's gratuitous services have sc-
complishedrsormuch for this district,
what could or would he do if he were its
official representative? Let this consid-
Grafton determine your choice, and you
will make no mistake. That will be
good common sense and sound judg-
ment