The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-10-19
MAJOR PAUL {. DIVINE
MAKES A STATEMENT

. ing statement:
1.-THE criticism of my appointment
as member of the congressional com
mittee for Washington county exhibit
such a gross lack of information alon
the lines of political history that fee
like an apology should be offered 70
! giving it even passing notice, mucl
less Identifying it with a reply. Their
are two kinds of people who cry out a
unseemly hours and on the slightes
provocation. The one is the fellow
who really thinks he has made dis
covery and yet knows no better; Tn,
other is the man who knows he is Civ
ing false alarm, but counts that b.
may be able to deceive goodly mum
Der to his own profit for little season
l have had some acquaintance will
the political affairs of this congressional
district for the last seventeen years
and without single exception from
that time to this the chairman of the
committee has not been the member
from the county of which he happened
to be resident and citizen. Judge A
j. Tyler, our late circuit judge, was
elected chairman of the congressional
committee in 1896, more than fifteen
years ago, and Notwithstanding that
he was at the time citizen of Hancock
county, Hon. d. A. Greene was the
member of the committee for that
county. Judge Tyler served more than
one term and was succeeded by Hon.
j. l.. Pemberton, of Granger county.
At the time Mr.. Pemberton was chair.
man, Hon. Frank w. Brown, of Lees
Springs, Granger county, was the
member for Granger county. Mr..
Pemberton was succeeded by Hon. E.
A. Shipley, of Jonesboro, and at the
time he was the chairman, his son,
Hon. A. l.. Shipley, was the member
for Washington county.
81 am not drawing on my magma
ton for these facts and figures, nor
upon elusive and uncertain tradition.
| have in my possession the records
and documents Of the most positive
and public nature to prove the truth of
what 1 say. These facts were sent out
broadcast in newspapers, printed on
official letterheads circulated far and
wide. With these facts before me, |
am constrained to say that the man
who makes bold TO challenge to the
contrary merely exposes his gross ig-
norance of the political history of his
country or else he has purpose to de-
ceive concealed behind his challenge
to the contrary.
"The place is one of honor and trust
only, there being no salary attached.
In fact it is an expense. | am aware
that to discharge its duties fairly,
boldly, conscientiously and impartially
will bring down upon me the maledic
tons of those whose plans and schemes
arefrustrated by whatever course duty
dictates l should pursue; but God for
bid it me that / should falter or run
away to appease the unrighteous wrath
of political nincompoops and intel.
lectual pismires, or to aid the designing
ambitions of little men aspiring to
place and power far beyond their men,
tai caliber and against the general good
of the common people
VI had not thought much of this
matter until this challenge was made,
until the gauntlet was thrown down;
but now 1 am in the fight to defend
the title and the right of precedent in
against any and all
corners, against every man who dares
to make challenge, and / except
none. Moreover, am ready and will
ing and able to state my position on
any matter likely to come before the
for consideration, and that |
without hesitation, apology or fear.
There ia not emily an unbrOken line of
precedent behind my proposition, but
good, common sense.
Mr.. Shipley having been elected chair
man, If he should move out of Wash
ngton County, which he has q right
10 do he chooses, would any man say
hat by SO doing, If he remained in the
district, that he thereby
leased to be chairman. To make such
3 contention refutes it without argu-
nent. Then, if by moving out of
Washington county he did not loose
lis status as chairman, would any
nan dare involve himself in the alb
urdity of saying that Washington
county must remain without men,
Der of the committee.
have my opinions and ideas on
,oliticals questions, and I feel compe.
ent TO give them expression. l may
lot always be right, but am entitled
o have my say and do not propose to
'e bluffed or bullozed out OF it. This
tempt to do so is bad start, and il
mistake not the temper of the people {,
nd the signs of the times this will
rove bad and improbable season to
LAY at that game.