The states-graphic. (Brownsville, Tenn.) 1???-1984, 1918-07-26
THESHAME

Through ''itiless publicity" of
record proof Governor Rye has exposed
the disgraceful conduct of John Knight
Shields in prostituting the high office
of United States senator in an effort
to aid the Stacker" son of wealthy
and influential merchant Of 0bion
county to violate the selective draft
lava law intended for the raising
Of an army to put in France against
Germany, and law which President
Wilson and the entire nation regards
IS the most important sinele piece of
legislation since the declaration of
war.
No wonder the president does not
intimate a desire for the return of
Shields to the senate, where he would
again have to make oath that he would
support the constitution and laws of
the United States. Such support" as
this would soon leave no constitution
or laws for the United States.
An official guilty of. so fragrant an
interference with the operation of the
army draft law, as the records fur
nished by Gov. Rye indicate, should be
shorn of his title to office, and prosecu-
ted as an ordinary alder and abetter
in the violation of law.
This shameful record alone should
convince the people of Tennessee of
Shields peridy and his utter unfit
ness to hold the office of constable,
much less that of United States SEN
ator.
The parents of the boy, or boys, of
Obion county now filling the slack
er's" place in the front line trenches in
France have John X. Shields to thank
for separating them from their below
ed before their regular call.
Listen to the indictment of John K.
Shields by the government appeal
agent:
"This registrant, through the efforts
of Senator John K. Shields, procured
this position for the purpose of avoid
ing the draft. This matter has gain
ed considerable notoriety here; the
friends and relatives of the boys who
have gone to the army, as well as the
friends and relatives of those yet to
go, feel that the man ought to be
made to toe the mark.
"This man, because of his fathers
wealth and standing in the community,
is able to enlist in his behalf THE
POWERFUL INFLUENCE OF SEN
ATOR SHIELDS THESE OTHERS
NOT SO HAPPILY SITUATED, DO
NOT TAKE TO 1T KINDLY THAT
THIS MAN is AVOIDING THE SER
VICE TO HIS COUNTRY IN THIS
WAY"
No wonder "these others, not so hap
PLY situated, do not take to" such
treatment and political favoritism.
Pray, what pitiful excuse did 'thi;
Stacker" offer for seeking to evadt
the draft? Listen to this from hi:
letter to Governor Rye and similar
one to Major Rutledge Smith, on ths
same subject:
Il am out Of luck on this sfill-in
draft call scheduled for March %. Il
appears that this county will have K
furnish TEN MEN IN THIS GOvBE
TWEEN CALL, so I HAVE BEEN
INFORMED, AND / AM, EXCLUD,
ING THE FARMERS AND NE
ROES THE TENTH FROM THE
START"
II am actively associated with my
father in the conduct of his store, anC
very successful all along, and right
now reaching the height of our busy
season previous to Easter, and my as
sistant is i'll, and the party to take my
place not broken in, and many detail:
of the business for me to look after
which l could do, if my call was delay
ed to April 10 or 10, or any time thu
regular second call came"
II am exalted ruler Of B. p o. Elk
and my term expires first Monday il
April and WOULD LIKE TO INDUC7
MY SUCCESSOR INTO OFFICE OF
FICIALLY, AS is CUSTOMARY
also wish to take-a degree in Masonr!
first week in April.
COULD YOU RECOMMEND TIKI
LOCAL BOARD TO SKIP MY MUM
Der TEMPORARILY, or just send mi
so will be LEADING THE FIRST
REGULAR SECOND DRAFT CALL
"If you can so favor me, would b.
exceedingly grateful.
"IF YOU RECOMMEND THIS Eek
TENSION, WILL NOT MENTION II
TO ANYONE, AS 1T rs NO ONES
BUSINESS BUT NINE"
To Major Rutledge Smith, thi
Stacker" said:
"THIS (extension) MIGHT BI
WORTH FIVE HUNDRED OR 4
THOUSAND DOLLARS TO ME-"
Did he for one moment think wha
an extension of his call might mean t
the poor devil who had to fill his plac
in the trenches? Gov. Rye and Majo
Smith spurned the "slacker's" appeal
However. Senator Shields apparently