Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1917-03-08
PROPOSED RE.DISTRiCTlNG
MARION COUNTY
Editor News:

noticed in the South Pittsburg
Hustler Of tsO weeks ago that the
Hon W NJ Cameron hat introdu cd
a bill in the legislature to red strict
Marion County. The outlines of the
proposed new district we're given aud
the Hustler gave it endorsement to the
scheme by saying that NOBODY except
those who were dependent on the
county court for their existence would
oppose the bill
do not know whom the Hustler
had in mind when they made tbIs
statement, but / am confident that
the scheme they propose is intended
solely anu for no other purpose than
to make somebody else dependent on
the county court for their existence
other than those to whom they had
reference In the above statement, and
that, toe. regardless Of competency or
experience.
refer to this matter as the Hust-
ler's scheme, as am reliably inform
ed that Mr. Cameron says that he has
not introduced any sucn bill, that be
has not drawn any bill foi the pur.
pose Of re5istricting Marion county 10
any way, and that he knows of no one
who has drawn such bill.
In last weeks issue of the Hustler,
under the heading "a Correction, !"
they attempt to explain that they
thought tue bill had been introduced,
but Find that they we're mistaken
about the introduction of the bill, but
say that Mr. Cameron has the bill
drawn, and that he wants the people
to discuss 1t 30 as to know whether or
not they want it passed.
The above statement of Mr.. Gamer.
on shows that this attempted correc-
tion is also untrue, and believe Mr..
Cameron is truthful man.
There is, In my opinion, no general
demand for the redistricting of Mar
ion county. The constitution of Ten
nessee says that all districts of the
county shall be Of convenient" size,
present system, some Of the districts
of the county are too large to be of
convenient size.
The Inconvenience of the proposed
districts 10 too obvious to admit OF
discussion. The probabilities are that
there would not be justice elected
within ten miles of Monteagle. and
there would be places where the peo-
pie would have to go fifteen or twenty
miles to find justice of the peace,
and then the justice might be away
from home, in which case, the parties
would eitner be compelled to stay over
night or make another trip. Would
anyone say that this is of convenient
size' 1t would simply destroy the
principle of local self-government
which is 30 dear to the heart of every
liberty-loving man.
Someone has said that this question
lie not of sufficient Importance to justi.
fy its submission to a vote of the peo-
Pile. | should like to inquire what in
the name Of heaven or under the sun
is Of more Importance to the people
than the government nearest to their
homes and firesides The question of
local self-government overshadows ev-
cry other question with which man in
his organized capacity has to deal
There IL prevailing practice
among certain class of people to
speak Of the Marion county court and
its members in the most disparaging
terms
1t is somewhat embarrassing for a
member of that body to diacuss the
question, but feel it my privilege to
defend the county court, since it has
been Unfortunately assailed by the
chronic kickers and grumblers of the
county. do not believe this county
has had more intelligent OF efficient |
county court than it has today. Sim
ply because the members of the court
refuse to do the bidding of few lit
tie pot. bellied fellows who would like
to dominate the court IL no evidence
that the members of the court are ig-
ligence! II
There are few bigots in this coun
ty who are eternally trying to belittle
the Marion county court They talk |
in bigoted and sarcastic way about
the ignorance of it's members, and J