davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1897-07-07

November, elect all at one time and
have done with it.
The Fec System,
In 1879 the Legislature passed a fee
bill, which the Supreme Court promptly
declared unconstitutional.
State VS. Mccain, 4 Lea.
have insisted that a valid fee bill
could be passed, and for several years
used my best endeavors to abolish this
system, which has proven in the large
counties to be thoroughly corrupt and
extravagant. 1t corrupts our politics,
and it robs our people, and is a very
curse to the ~ofice-holders themselves.
The aspirant for Office is set upon by a
vast horde of political buns and So
called workers, and the struggle to cap
ture the big fee-paying Offices is so in
tense that 1t requires large sums Of
money to make a canvass, and often the
winner Of the prize is so loaded with
debt and with the claims of his so-called
friends that he finally goes out Of Office
without a dollar, unless he seizes his
opportunities and converts his office
into a mere fee-grabbing machine for
the benefit Of himself and his bench
men, regardless Of the public welfare.
But the moment you introduce a bill
the cry goes forth, unconstitutional"
and between the timid legislator and
the legislator who only wants an excuse
to betray his trust on the one side, and
the great difficulties to be met with in
passing such a bill, we have been timo
and again defeated; and in my opinion
the shortest way to cut off the cancer is
to begin with the organic law.
No Relief by Amendment.
1t Is often said why 60 the expense OF
a constitutional convention when YOU
can amend the organic law? This has
on late years become a favorite dodge OF
all who are opposed to thorough reform.
In respect to amendments our present
constitution is singularly obscure and
unnecessarily handicaps any needed
change. III an amendment is desired it
must first be approved and passed by
the Legislature. The proposed amend
ment must then be advertised in certain
papers and in the succeeding legislature
1t must be approved by two-thirds of tho
members OF each house, and this is next
to impossible to accomplish, as past ex-
perience has shown. Finally IL it
passes this ordeal it must be submitted
to a popular vote for ratification or re-
lection when the third legislature is
elected. Thus it would take about five
to six years to amend the constitution,
II you could amend it at all, whereas a
convention can act at once, and end the
whole business in one year. The time
consumed in order to effect a change
from the constitution of 1884 to that of
1870 was less than six months.
Mr.. James Bryce, once a member OF
Mr.. Gladstone's cabinet and now a men,
Der of parliament, declares in his great
work, The American Commonwealth"
that provisions for amendments similar
to those in our constitution are prac-
tically prohibitory. Many attempts
Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1897-07-07

ut is said that the roads OF a country
are indicative of the civilization which
prevails among its people, and all will
agree that we are behind in the respect
OF public roads. The great difficulty
which confronts us is that no law can
be passed by one county which does not
apply to every other county in the State.
Take the mountainous counties of East
Tennessee, where in many parts all that
is needed is q trail around the mountain.
or even take Middle Tennessee, where
there is an abundance OF stone and the
soil is tough, then take West Tennes-
see, whore there Is no stone and the
earth in a large measure is composed Of
sand, so that Immediately upon being
brought in contact with water 1t melts,
and it will at once be seen that 1t Will
be inn racticable to pass agencral law
for the whole State, under which we
can have anything like a good road
system for either division Of the State.
Election of Comptroller, Secretary of state
and Treasurer.
THE legislature usually spends a
week or two w~rangling over the election
of a comptroller, secretary OF State and
treasurer, creating animosities and en-
gaging in log-rolling and chickering's,
which often affect legislation, and not
only this, but at an m expense
to the people of the State. We believe
that these officers should be elected by
the people, as in tho case of the gov
ernor. In this connection we suggest
that less power should be given to the
comptroller and more to the governor.
Gubernatoria Succession.
at is we'll known that no provision is
made for the gubernatorial succession in
certain contingencies. 1t was first called
to attention when it was supposed Gov.
Turney would die after his first cleo
ton, but before his Inauguration. 1t is
believed that any statute which may be
passed on this subject would be uncon-
stitutional, and yet it can be readily
sum " SaSo VI bEcdb pOlib'Cdl OK
element a state of anarchy and confu-
sion might be forced upon the people.
Gubernatorisl Contest:
"Recent events demonstrate that the
provisions Of the constitution with re-
spect to a contest as to the election of
governor are, to say the least Of it, capa-
BILE of widely different constructions,
out Of which great animosities and diff
ferences of opinion have arisen. This
important subject should be put beyond
debate by clear and explicit provisions
in the constitution.
Local Improvement.
Tennessee stands alone in ~forbidding
a part of the cost Of local Improvements,
such as the building of streets, sewers,
roads, bitches, levees and the like, to be
charged upon the AUDITING and adjoin-
ing property in proportion to the bene-
fits received by such property. Tho first
decision declaring such laws u~nconstitu-
tional was in the case Of Taylor vs..
Chandler, 9 Heiskell, p. $40. An act
passed by the legislature Of 1895 to lay
Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1897-07-07

of and establish that part OF Reelfoot
Lake basin and overfowed land into q
levee and drainage district and charg.
ing the cost thereof upon the reclaimed
property, was declared unconstitutional
at the last term Of the supreme court.
Such decisions place a veto upon all
public Improvements Of this character.
Convict Labor.
III 1t Is now competent, or under
future acts of congress becomes com
petens, for the State to absolutely pro-
hibit the importation Of articles manu-
featured by convicts outside OF the
State, then we are heartily in favor OF
+ placing such a provision in the consti-
tuition OF the State, thus protecting hon
est labor from ruinous competition with
the criminal classes Of other States.
FREQ Passes to Public Officials.
I'm the new constitution of New
York, promulgated In 1894, as we'll as
in other new constitutions, all public
officials are forbidden to use free rail.
road, telegraph ortclephone passes, the
experience OF the people in various
States showing oonclusively that such
free passes have a c%orrupting influence
upon legislation and due administra,
ton Of the law. We believe such a pro-
vision should find a place In our con-
stitution."
In addition 10 the. foregoing, I wish
to call attention to some other much
needed changes.
Too Many Elections.
Who will not agree that we have too
many elections, for when is there not a
time that the people are not stirred up
with excitement OF disgust at the never
ending scramble for public Offices?
In the first place, why should the
sheriff, trustee and many other officials
hold office for only two years, while the
county, circuit and criminal clerks and
the county register hold office for four
years? ] am in favor OF all these officers
holding for a term Of at least four years,
with a proviso that no officer shall sue
ceed himself. Experience teaches that
tho defaulter is the official who has
been in office during several terms.
When an official has a short term, he
scarcely gets into his nest before
he commences to prepare to succeed
himself, and there is where the trouble
comes in. He is tempted to and does
use the Office to subserve his private
schemes, and no doubt in most cases, he
has no criminal intent, but gradually
he gets in the tolls of the law, the treas
ury is raided, or his bondsmen suffer,
and he and his family are digraced.
Give each official a four years term Of
office, remove from him the temptation
of trying to succeed himself, and then
he will give his whole time to the prop
er discharge Of the duties of his Office,
and thus confer not only a blessing upon
the ofice-holder, but secure good and
wholesome government for the people.
When we do have elections CONSOLE
date them, and instead of electins
county officers in August and members
Of the Legislature and the Governor In
Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1897-07-07
CONTINUED FROM FIRST PAGE.1
whereas our railroads pay into your
State treasury less than 500, 900.

whereas our railroads pay into your
State treasury less than 500, 900.
Mark, do not say that the constitu.
ton should declare that these corpora.
tions should pay a percentage on their
gross incomes, but l do say the shackles
should be stricken from the hands OF
the legislature, SC that If the people
deemed this a proper and right mode OF
taxation then they should be allowed to
express their will in the form of a law.
County Courts.
The county court system in counties
containing large cities and towns or
great population, is almost universally
condemned. 1t violates the funda-
mental principle of no taxation without
Just representation. Take the city OF
Memphis for example. Nearly all the
wealth, say three-fonrths, and in addi-
ton the larger part Of the population OF
Shelby county is found in Memphis, and
yet Memphis has only three members
OF the county court living in the cor
porate limits out of a total of nearly
fifty members. Who will say this is just?
In laying out counties and providing
the means Of local government our con.
stitution proceeds upon the idea that
these governmental. agencies should be
based upon the square mile system and
not upon population. That was we'll
enough probably in 1884 (for we are
practically under the constitution pro-
mulgated in that year., for at that time
there was not a city in Tennessee.
Nashville was a mere village, Knoxville
a struggling town, Memphis was only a
landing on the river, surrounded by In
dams, while Chattanooga was unknown.
There was not at that time a single rail.
road in Tennessee, nor a line of tele-
graph wire. The ox-cart has been
changed for the cannon ball express,
tho stage coach for the Pullman palace
car; instead OF the mail boy upon his
trusty pony we now have the electric
current in a moment not only flashing
over the State but in an instant encir-
cling the globe. Amidst these marvel
GUS changes n thing remains un.
changed-the hide-bound, rigid consti-
tuition OF 1884, including the old fogy
county court. In the class Of coun.
ties referred to the county court should
be superseded by a county board
OF supervisors, say Of seven intelligent
men, thus concentrating the response
bility CT the body and simplifying the
governmental machinery as we'll as cur
failing useless expense. This is the
rule in other States, but II every man,
woman and child in Shelby county
wished to adopt such q system in
lieu OF the county court system such
change could not be had, as the supreme
court has declared that the county court
system is a part OF our venerable consti-
tuition, and hence it is beyond any
power save that Of a constitutional con.
vention. Pope VS.. Phifer, 8 Heisk., 6s2.
Right of Local elf-Government.
Herein is violated another principle
The San Francisco call., 1897-10-24
HIS HONOR ON
A HEAD HUNT
Mayor Phelan Has Sharp
ened Up His Little
Hatchet.
Some Laws Which He Believes
VIII Decapitate Many
Deputies.
Two Thirds of the County Clerks
Force Marked for Slaughter and
There Are Others.

Mayor Phelan has his ak out for the
County Clerks and the District Attorney 8
offices. He believes he has discovered a
considerable array of legal authority in
the light of which the act of April 2, 1880
under which those offices are a present
conducted, is unconstitutional, and at one
fell stroke he expects to deprive the Coun-
w Clerk of two-thirds OF his working
force.
With the same weapon the Mayor ex-
poets to decapitate the chief clerk in the
District Attorneys office, and by a de-
clSion of the Supreme Court be threatens
to throw Joseph Dunne, special counsel
for the District Attorney, out upon the
cold world.
The Mayor comm unicated his views
upon these matters to Auditor Broderick
yesterday. His claim is that the County
Clerk Is entitled to only such deputies as
are authorized by the act of February 13,
1880.
The number of deputies thereby pro-
vlded for was thlrtytwo. An act was
passed April 2, 1880, which provides that
County Clerk of any city and county
having over 100, 000 in hab abitants" may en-
ploy four persons to act as clerks for each
JUICE of the Superior Court and three
per ons as copyists, or seven persons for
each Judge, at an annual compensation OF
Sl3l, ,UOU.
The Mayor contends that this act is un-
constitutional, as special legislation on
the grounds that there was at the time of
its passage no general classification of
cities or OF counties providing for any
Class "having over 100, 600 inhabitants"
and that by its terms 1t is applicable only
to that class of municipal corporations
known as ''cities and counties"
4 similar point is indicated as the bar
rier to the office of chief clerk to the Dis
trict Attorney. Joseph J. Dunne's fate is
supposed by the Mayor to be decided by a
case carried up from Modoc County,
where it was held that the right to en-
p!Oy special counsel TO assist the District
Attorney was denied the Board of Super
visors. 1t was in that case held that the
District Attorneys proper recourse was
an appeal 1or assistance to the Attorney
General.
The San Francisco call., 1897-10-24

ton. Speaking of prison reform and the
government of penitentiaries last night
he said:
There are two words that convey the
entire meaning of prison reform along
scientific lines-work and classification.
In all the best prisons of the world, such
as that at PentonvIlle, there is system
by which each prisoner is studied on his
arrival. he is put into a sort OF prison OF
deten ion and study, where his condition
is carefully noted from time 10 time, and
when he has advanced sufficiently, say
after eight or nine months. he is given
more Liberties and treated more as a citi-
zen and less as a man under the ban
People who know the least about pris-
oners and jalIS have the harshest ideas
about the treatment of prisoners. This is
seen IN the fact that the policeman who
hrst begins his work, as well as the
Sheriff, wants to send up all his first ar
rests; but as We grow older in the serv-
Ice, as we study men and the causes that
lead them to evil, We see that there is
often chance to reform them and that
the purpose OF a prison is not to crush
and de grade man beyond reform, but to
enable him TO get back to a good condi-
lon. The people who say there is little
chance to reform men and women who
nave gone wrong speak without adequate
knowledge. l could name many cases OF
reformation. l know 4 man VINO is now
prominent citizen and a gentleman in
his department, as well as reputed to be
honest in all his dealings, who served five
terms in the penitentiary. The last term
settled him, and wh4n he got out he came
TO me and said: Cap, you need have no
further fears OF me, lor 1 have enough of
1t and l am done | told him | was in
credulous, and he said if | would get him
anything to do he would show me he
meant all he said. | have seen him going
on for years, leading an upright ana sue
cessful life, because, as he said, he saw
the evil and folly of crime
There are hundreds OF such cases all
over the country and the peniten tiaries
ought TO be built and so run as to give
such men chance to work their WY out.
even go further and mold that for first
offenses, unless the case is peculiarly ag-
graYatlng or brutal, There ought TO be
suspension OF sentence. The prisoner
ought to have judgment entered against
him all right and be reprimanded and
warned of the consequences of sentence
The conviction would be entered, but he
would have a chance to be a man if he so
desired. In this class of cases / would call
a man back and send him up if he went
wrong again and would give him a hard
sentence for the second offense. l say
this Is good plan, because it gives man
chance to escape:the striped Clothes and
would often frlgnten the convicted man
into good behavior whereas a sentence
night turn him entirety The other WaV.
''lt is mistake to say there are many
men who want to go back to prison, even
at San Quentin. l have not seen any
such men. They steal again and go back,
but it is not because they want TO- but be-
cause they cannot get away. But we do
need a penite ntiary where prisoners are
graded and where more thorough sys-
tenn Is in use"
The San Francisco call., 1897-10-24
MARRIED At HIGH NOON
John G. Ohlandt and Miss
Theresa Lahaney
Welded.
Duncan Mclean and Miss Henrietta
Mcclellan of Vallejo Also
Made One.

John C. OhIandt, one OF the proprletors
of the California Fertilizing Works ana
eldest son of Nicholas Ohandt, the capl-
talist aged 25 years, was married at n1gn
noon Yesterday to Miss Theresa A. La
nancy, aged "a years, at the home OF the
groom's parents by the Rev. DR.. Jul1us
FuendeIing OF the st. Marcus German
Church. The wedding and marriage GER
emonies were very quietly held.
The bride and groom were the reclplenIs
of MANY valuable and beautiful presents.
Mrs. Ohlandt is one OF the oaughterS VI
Patrick W. Lahaney.
The groom, who has been connected
with his father in business for many years,
is a prominent Native Son, having at one
time occupied the presid chair or
Precita Parlor n. S. 6. W..
Duncan Mclean and Miss denrletta
Mcclellan made hasty trip to this city
from Vallejo yesterday afternoon ana
were married by the Rev. DR.. Julius
Fuendeling at the latter's residence, foo
Bush street.
Mr.. Mclean is a welI-known California
newspaper man, having been connected
with the Vallejo Chronicle for many
years.
Mrs. Mclean has been a resident OF
Vallejo Tor some years.
Immediately after the wedding theta
couple entertained a mum ber OF their LOGAN
friends at a dinner, and then lett Tor
wedding tour OF the coast.
The San Francisco call., 1897-10-24
JEROME UNDER
A CROSS FIRE
Major Moore Investigating
His Conduct Under
Orders.
Issued a Duplicate Permit in
Violation of the Regu-
lations.
Also Unlawfully Ignored the Official
Existence Of Naval Officer
Irish.

Clerk No. 1, class 6, otherwise e. B.
Jerome, de facto head of the Custom house
clerks and deputies, is in hot water again.
He is now being investigated for an al
legged breach of the rules.
Last Friday Major Moore, special agent
OF the Treasury at this port, received in
structions from the Treasury Department
at Washington TO Investigate complaints
made by Naval Officer John P. Irish and
Broker Harry B. Thomas. Broker Thomas
had sent a letter to the department COM
planning that Jerome had violated Gus
tom-house regulations for the purpose of
defrauding him out of a fee of 81. The
case, as set forth at length by Mr..
Thomas, was published in THE CALL a few
weeks ago.
1t appears that a clergy man-Rev. J. M.
Monroe-arrived from Australia and APP
piled at the Custom-house for a permit
for the release of his personal effects. He
was informed that under the ordinary
procedure it would require five or six
days time to liberate his goods.
Mr.. Monroe was in despair. He wanted
to start for the East within two or three
days, and he could not go without his ef-
fects. In his dilemma he was introduced
TO Customs Broke Thomas. Mr.. Thomas
offered mis- services as broker and they were
accep ed. BY dint of working after office
hours and nducing some custom house
clerks TO remain after the close OF busi-
ness he succeeded in getting all the papers
ready for the release of the goods on the
next forenoon, September %. Mr.. Thomas
was handed the permit, but TO his surprise
the preacher refused to pay 81 brokerage
and roared that he was being eaten out of
his skin by lot of land -sharks-and this
in spite OF the TACT that he had previously
asked Mr.. Thomas as TO what his charges
would be and that Mr.. Thomas had as
sured him that it would not be any higher
than the usual brokerage fee and that the
matter OF compensation could be settled
after the permit had been granted.
The thrifty Mr.. Monroe not only re-
pudlated his contract, but went upstairs
and roared his indignation into the re-
ceptive ears of Clerk Jerome. He spoke
OF land sharks and robbers who were try
ing to abstract $4 from him by false pre-
lenses and extortIon.
Clerk Jerome listened and sent the Col
Iector's messenger downstairs to summon
Deputy Collector Farley. Mr.. Farley re-
The San Francisco call., 1897-10-24

There is never a dearth of news among
the SaEVationists; either some popular
officer is "fareweiling" or some one is ex-
peCted here. Last week Lieutenant Colonel
and Mrs. Keppel, Adjutant Barker, En-
sign Sprague and Captain Neuman bid
farewell to the Pacific Coast, and now on
the fourth of next month the colonel's
successor, Lieutenant Colonel William
Evans, will arrive in San Francisco, and
be given genuine reception by the army
Ia this city.
Colonel Higgins, chief secretary OF the
United States. will be here to introduce
Colonel and Mrs. Evans to their new COM
mand, and the chances are that Colonel
Holland Will also be present. Rather in
peculiar coincidence of The occasion is that
Just five years ago on the 4th Colonel
and Mrs. kippel were welcomed here
The national conven ton of the Chris
tian Church, which is now in session at
indianapolis, Ind, is the largest ever he Id
by them. The daily attendance!reaches 1000.
Rev. E. T. Nesbit has acce 2ted call as
pastor of the Christian Church at Con-
cord.
Rev. James Small and Mrs. Princess
Long are conducting very successful re-
Vival in the Christian Church at Heads
burg.
Evangelist Melvin Putnam preached to
very large congregation at the West
Side Christian Church last LORDS day at
IL A. NJ. He begins meeting at San Jose
aext Sunday.
Miss Boyd, for many years a missionary
In India, Will arrive in this city this week
on his return voyage, and will be given a
reception at the First Christian Church
on Monday, November 1.
Professor a. NJ, Elston of Berkeley
Bible Seminary will read paper before
me Christian Ministerial Association Eext
Monday on Sermon Building
The State convention of the Christian
thurches OF Missouri met last week at
Trenton. The reports from the churches
showed a large increase in mem bership.
There are 1910 Sunday-schoois with
t07, 533 pupils. and the total mum ber of
tom munlcants III the church of the State
Is $50, 900.
The membership of the Christian church
IN California has increased during the past
ten years from 5000 to $4,000.
The services by candle-light continue at
the First Christian Church. The topic for
the evening service will be "hypocrisy, +"
Morning sermon, Life as Viewed by
Jesus"
The new ST. PauPs Methodist Episcopal
Church in New York, which was dedi-
tated recently, cost. with the parsonage
S34O, 0O0
Rev. ]. P. McIntire, chaplain in the
Onited States navy, now on leave of abb
ience, is in the city awaiting orders. 1t is
probable he may be assigned again to the
Baltimore.
Newell Simpson Albright, DID,, pro-
lessor of Biblical and historical theology
IN the Tiff School of Theology, Denver,
sieu on the 10th inst.
The vote for the admission of women
before the last general conference of the
Methodist Episcopal churches was 1902
Tor and 2606 against. The vote followin g
was 1855 for and 1886 against.
The young people of Central M. Z.
Church are 10 give q reception 10 the
members OF the Young Mems Christian