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of the wishes and interests of the State in Con
gress. 1t should be made upon comparison of the
merits OF political brethren, alike entertaining the
same principles, and 6esirous for their ascenden-
cy. he most competent should be selected, and
lhe unsuccessful aspirants should submit and hear
my JOIN IN his support. Entertaining these views
nave never askcu, nor expected 10 be the favo
fite OF my pnrty upon other grounds. 1t is with
them 10 Judge Of my merits and qualifications,
and with whatever verde, may be rendered, |
shall be content. Although n strong sectional
ieeing exists IN this part of the State. in every
speech that ! have made, and in almost every
letter have written. | have said that | neither
sought nor desired The nomination upon sectional
considerations; and that if it were to be conferred
upon me for such reasons, that should refuse il:
that If | should be deemed equal TO my cornpeti.
tors, In the essential qualifications, to constitute
an efnclent candidate and Representative that |
should have no objection to receiving the benefits
which my locality is calculated TO give me. The
reverse G the above statements, has been cha rged
upon me al the newspapers, but the charge is at
variance With the truth, and easily be proven
So may be permitted say moro upon this
SUBJECT, than have heretofore done. The CUES.
ton CT locality is of iberality, to be taken
INTO consideration when qualifications are equal
ahc then Tor tho purpose of union and harmony;
but should never be entertained moment, for
the benefit of an inferior to the exclusion of a
Superior man.


frivilous objection is made against me by
some, which it is probably necessary to notice.
not on account of its Importance. but from the
fact that trivial objection sometimes has an i'm
portant influence, in determining and settling the


minds Of the community. 1t has been grave!y
said, and often repeated, that shave seat upon
the supreme bench, with salary of $500 pei
year, and ought 10 be satisfied We're seat in
Congress gra:uity. | the subject of charity
to be supported at The public expense there nigh,
be something in the objection. But such is not


the case. he office is for the benefit of the peo-
Pile, to be filled for the advancement of heir an


eTeSts, and not those of the incumbent, aud should
be conferred upon the man best qualified TO fill it,
regardless of the fact that he may already occu-
Ply some other station and happen TO have an op-
ponent not so trammelied. Il is with FEELINGS of
pleasure and gratlfcaiion that can say. that
have an honorable, highninded and magnanimous
competitor, who so far from urging such an OBJ.
Jection, has taken upon himself the task of expo.
sing It's fuliiy. The lion. r. w. Johnson, in
his circular, speaking OF this objection. saws.
"Ils [my right to offer for Congress, is in no re.
spect abridged by his [my lpresent Office. fquaifi-
ed for Supreme Judge, it is the better evidence of
qualification for Congress-" To succeed ov er an
opponent, who thus treats such an objection, would
be an honor, of which any should be proud;
TO be defeated by him. would be no disgrace, and
no cause of mortification.


My present Office is not worth $500 per an.
mum, though nominally that is my salary. Dur
ing the time have been upon the bench have re-
ceved from the Treasury but 1923 in cash for
the balance OF my salary, Treasury Warrants
have been issued, for the payment of which there
has, at no time, been money in the Treasury, and
consequently | have had either TO sell them a. n
discount of from 40 to so per cent, pledge
them for money at ten per cent. interest. My
Iatyn TOD IL
amount of cash received by me. Such is tho
manner i'll which " have been amply provided
for.'


! have had the donors, but truly may say they
have almost been empty honors. hope that have
faithfully discharged the duties of my office the
saiisfa cion Of the people, at time that my health
was so impaired in consequence of services to my
party, on the Electoral ticket in 1914. that was
precIpded from engaging in the practice of my
profession. Now. that my health is restored,
fee. myself nj liberty TO place my name before
my political friends, in conncxiOn with station
in which am vain enough to believe that can
serve them equally as satisfactorily, and in which
may enjoy portion of the profis well AS the
hOnOr. | have not doubt but that some gentle
can be found, as well or better qualified than
myself TO fill my presen; station who is patriotic
enough to the public for the honor, and rich
enough not to need the profits Do the persons
who make this uDgenerous objection against me,
only, because they can fnd more subsan
tial-suppose that lam the only man ic tiie State
capable Cf filling the Office of Supreme Judge
No. They have favorte for Congress, with
whose prospects may interfere. and therefore ii
is necessary to tramel me. Were he liable to the
same objection, these men would be as ready to
meet they now to urge 1t.


Col. Johnson is, however, in slight orror, OF
which moments reflection will satisfy him,
when he supposes that '' were Col. Ashley after
me, that he would tell the public-that for
young man had had no ordinary share, &C., :
of the public favor. suppose. Although not ex-
ceedngiy young, the only office tina, has ever fall
to my share from the Stale. is the one now hold.
have been twice honored by the people of my
county with seat in the legislature, and during
the last session that served, was Speaker of the
House. Being the Electoral ticket in 1874.
and canvassng the State at my own expense. and
to the great injury of my health. do not pre-
sumo would be placed to the account of that " no
ordinary share"


COL Johnson's circular may mislead some. not
otherwise advised,as TO the position occupied by me.
in reference TO the late election and that


now occupied by me. la that contest was the
| firm and decided supporter of Gov. Yell; my pre-
| md 6IIt IS-