The Newport plain talk. (Newport, Tenn.) 1909-1939, 1911-03-23
SELLS DECLARES
WARON ENEMIES.
VIII Have Them Removed
From Office
PATTERSONITES SCORED

WulS OSlllidSNSi TASAdiAu~A Va
Elizabethton is Removed From
His Office by u. S. Inspectors.
Bristol, Tenn, March 22.-In state
ment growing out Of the controversy
over the summary removal of Post
master e. c. Alexander, at Elizabeth
town, Congressman Sam r. Sells, the
new federal pie dispenser, Saturday
threw down the gauntlet to his re-
publican enemies and announced that
he would have them all removed from
office. Alexander, an old Brownlow
man, refused to honor the commission
which Sells got for f. K. Hathaway
until he was forced out. 1t
is only 81, 700 office.
Sells scores the republicans who
have been allied with the Patterson
element and 'sliquor'' democracy, and
promises that their heads shall drop
in the basket. He says they have
fought him and he proposes to light
them. that he has nothing in common
with them, and will show them no
quarter. He says he will have every
one of them put out of office if it
beats him for reelection.
E. c.. Alexander, the postmaster at
Elizabethton, Tenn, who was re-
lieved by the postoiiice department
last week and who refused to recognize
the commission which President Taft
issued to E. E. Hathaway, was
put out of the office Saturday by in
spectors from Washington and 1T was
delivered to Hathaway.
Alexander defied the Washington
authorities and had good percentage
@bf the people with him, but Post
master General Hitchcock instructed
the inspectors to use force If necessary
to oust him. AleXander's friends
charge that Congressman Sells had
him relieved for political purposes. j
Congressm Sells statement is as
follows:
"In view of the many misrepresenta
tions that have been made incident tt
the change Of postmasters at Elizabeth
ton, Tennessee, desire to give tru'
statement of the facts.
"E. G. Alexander, the disposed post
master, and some of his friends, are at
tempting to make it appear to the peo
ple who do not understand this situa
tion, that he has been victim of politi
cal persecution upon my part. 1t
true that in political way am un
der no obligations whatever to MI
Alexander or TO his friends. | hav
never sympathized with Mr.. Alex
ander's methods in conducting politica
campaigns in Carter county, and hav,
repeatedly both privately and publicly
criticised him in unsparing terms.
think understand the political situa
ton in Carter county thoroughly, ant
[ know something of the temper of th'
people there with reference to Mr.Alex
ander's conduct in office. | have beer
aware ever since entered politics fou
years ago, that Mr.Alexander was con
stantly violating the rules and regula
tions of the postotfice department il
every campaign, and to make the issu
plain, stated in speech in Elizabeth
ton nearly year ago, that ifelected t
congress, my first official act would b
to have Mr.. Alexander removed.
made this statement with confidence
knowing that Mr. Alexander's recor'
in the office would justify his removal
His political organ, the "Comet"woul'
make it appear to the people that h
was removed without cause and with
out fair and proper investigation.
"Charges were preferred against MI
Alexander nearly two months ago b
patrons of the Elizabethton postoffict
Continued on page s.