Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1875-01-05

4fri.al Of the Shelby County
Delegation.--Effe Of 81.
lence on Andy's
Friends.
The Andy johnson Stock Boat Sink
Ing Amid the Breakers OF Oppo-
sltion-The Comptr0llership
and once OF Treasurer.
NAsHvILLr. January 4. 1916.

To the Editor Of the Ledger;
Almost at the moment Of writing the
two Houses viii be called together for
the purpose Of permanently organizing,
and their permanent officers will be
known to your readers before this
reaches them. The Speaker of the
Senate will doubtless be Colonel Big
card, Of McMinn, who has for thirty
years been a prominent Democrat in
the State, has the necessary experience,
having been q member Of the Constitu-
tional Convention; is lawyer of char.
acter and ability and a gentleman Of
strict integrity. There seems to be a
general support OF him among his
brother Senators; therefore, l take it for
granted he will be elected, and his cleo
ton will certainly give satisfaction to
the people.
Not so easy a matter of solution. how
ever, 10 the Speakership of the House.
1t is a triangular contest. l regret to say,
between two young men of ability irem
West Tennessee--Mr. Cummings OF Tip.
ton. Mr.. Bond Of Haywood. and Judge
Gardenhire of Sparta. They we all
well qualified; consequently no matter
who is elected, il will be subject Of con-
graduation to the masses that there will
be no incompetency on the part Of the
Speaker to delay legislation. The clerk
ships. ETC., are 10 terrible demand. aud
so far as | can say. the candidates all
competent. Major Weems. of Hickman,
so well and favorably known to those OF
your citizens who have visited Bon Aqua
Springs, being Of the number for Door
keeperof the House.
The Shelby county Representatives
have arrived, aud their arrival rather
cast q gloom over the friends of Mr..
Johnson. They are not as outspoken
for him as his supporters usually are,
consequently it has already become a
question, To how many ballots viii the
"cigar box instructions hold them? 1t
is a novel support-the first Of the kind
Mr.. johnson has doubtless encountered
in his varied experience of running for
office. for it is understood that but one
Of their number who votes for him does
it because he feels that he is voting in his
judgment for the man who at this criti-
cal %juncture is best qualified in the ranks
of the Democratic party faithfully and
we'll to represent that party and this
State in the Senate Of the United States.
Another fo~reshadowing Of the hand
writing on the wall Of the x.President's
certain defeat is the outspoken opposi-
ton to him from his own section of the
State. Bate, Brown, Savage and Ste
phens all have firm and steadfast sup
porters here from East Tennessee. Gen. |
Bates friends claim four votes and
probably six from that section for him,
and name them. Their surmises being
correct, Bates vote will reach close to
thirty-6ve, which is quite q respectable
number to commence with, as there are
quite a number here who, after compli.
menting their friends and neighbors, will
90 for the strongest man against Mr..
johnson. Since my arrival | have never
seen cause to doubt the correctness of
my first impressions. that il would be q
contest between ex.President johnson
and General Bate. All, however, is a
sea of speculation, for Colonel Savage
comes from the mountains with unbro-
ken ranks. Judge Stephens has frisnds
everywhere; likewise Governor Brown,
Mr.. Ewing and General Quarles are not
without theirs. so it is but guess work
after all, and the hnal solution which
looks so plain and apparent is simply the
result Of an impression which the inter-
change Of opinions will produce.
The COmptrollership is too complica-
ted to admit Of speculation. Your towns
man. Captain ~LetSngwell, is earnestly at
work and has the advantage Of being
supported by his own immediate repre-.
sentatives almost to a man. and besides
has made quite a number Of friends here.
Colonel Park will be very earnestly
supported for Treasurer, and should the
contest narrow down to him and DR..
Morrow. will be elected. Corn.