The Newport plain talk. (Newport, Tenn.) 1909-1939, 1913-01-16
He Fears No Fair, Unabiased
Examination Of His
Office.
DEMANDS OF ENEMIES
State Comptroller Addresses a
Communication to the Fifty
Eighth General Assembly
Wants Funds to Make Publica-
ton of Reports of States Finan-
cial Condition.

Nashville, Tenn, Jan. l3.-Frank
Dibrefl, comptroller; announced to-
night that he had withdrawn from the
race for reelection to the Office of
comptroller aud thus Mayor Crump Of
Memphis has won another victory, as
his fight in the beginning was for the
purpose of ousting Dibrell and of CONF
passing the defeat Of Governor Patter-
son for the United States Senate, and
Mr.. Dibrell's action tonight means
that victory rests with the Memphis
mayor, and that fusionh as again prov
en,it's strength.
Before resigning though, Mr.. Dibrell
sent a caustic statement to the legisla-
ture asking fora square deal.
The following communication from
State Comptroller Frank Dibrell TO
The Fifty-eighth General Assembly of
Tennessee was received in the Senate,
and by motion of Senator Stewart,
went upon the journal as a memorial.
"Nashvile. Tenn, January .. 1912.
TO the Fifty-eigh,h General Assem-
bly, of Tennessee: Realizing that my
official acts and relationships to the
whole people of The state are, at all
times, subject to examination by the
Legislature TO the end that it may be
assertained whether l have, with fide-
lily, performed the important duties
imposed upon me by the high Office |
have the honor to fill, am addressing
you this communication.
"As the chosen representative Of the
people, you not only have the the right
TO inquire into the manner of my con-
duct of the Office of Comptroller but,
i'm making such investigation, you
have the right to expect that | rem
der you every assistance within my
power.
Notwithstanding the charge of my
enemies To the contrary, ! wish to as.
sure you that fear no fair, Legitimate
and unbiased examination, such as
feel will be given at your hands, and
that, i'll the course Of the conduct Of
the same, you will have my hearties,
cooperation.
aft has never been my purpose tc
conceal anything in connection with
my office, about which the public has
right To know, and the charge made
by my assailants that previous exami
nations were conducted by partisan'
of my own choice, and have, therefore
been Of a purely perrunctory character
has never had the slightest foundation
in truth.
The fact is that, AS an official, T hac
the same rights as are accorded 10 tn,
private citizen. Among those right!
upon which shall rely and upon
which shalt stesdfastly insist, is tn,
right of 'squsre deal; ] am due Al
HlutH, duu VIII III tiiC iueoiVt 40 Il hdt
consistently done in the past, NOS
earnestly protest against all efforts OF
the part Of my personal and poitica
enemies, uy intrusion and theft ofpub
lie documents from my office uhde
the guise Of interest in the public wei
fare, TO procure such data only as ma,
be adv antageous!y used TO hamper ant
cripple my chances for reelection.
a partisan and factional press ha
pointed out that have been recrcan
tony trust in that my failure TO repor
To publish in my biennial reports t,
the Legislature complete itemized list
Of collections made by the variou
revenue agents is non-complianc
with the plain statulority provision
that this be done. 1t is true that sucl
strict compliance with the law Ina
never been inforced, demanded o
deemed necessary by any Legislatur
heretofore having access TO and juris
dictiop of the accounts of any Of m.