Jasper County Democrat, Volume 18, Number 27, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 July 1915 — Would Burn Their Bridges. [ARTICLE]

Would Burn Their Bridges.

In a little Tennessee town lived a justice of the peace who had been re-elected for many terms, although

he was the only Republican in the district. At last, one campaign, when political excitement was high, it was determined to oust him and put in a Democrat. The Republican was frightened. Then he resolved upon a bold plan. The election was held in an old distillery, and before a vote was cast the justice of the peace announced his intentions of making a speech. “Feller citizens,” tie said, from the top of a barrel that he had mounted, “I’ve been justice of the peace here goin’ on twenty years, an' a good many times I’ve saved many of you from going to the penitentiary, an’ now you’re tryin’ to pull me out of office. But I just want to tell you something. I’ve got the constitution and the laws of the state of Tennessee in my pocket, and just as sure as you turn me out of office I’ll burn ’em up—blame me if I don't—and you may all go to ruin together.—Kansas City Star.