Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-10-04

The nomination Of Judge VIM. NJ.
Smith, for Congressman, yesterday by
the Republican Convention was in.
duced by political calculations, which
though apparently well founded, will
in the end miscarry, and the ultimate
result will in all probability bring a
very great surprise to those who base
their hopes Of party success
upon them. The Republican
leaders in this Congressional district,
consisting of some half dozen persons
residing in Memphis, were actuated in
comforting the nomination upon Judge
Smith by three or four considerations,
any one of which would have been
entirely sufficient to influence their
action in the matter.
In the first place, the seven or eight
gentlemen who hold all the Federal
Offices in this district. and who have
always controlled the party with
out regard to the wishes
of the rank and file did not
intend that any one outside of the
city of Memphis, nor any one not
identified with them in sympathy and
interest, should be nominated. And
they found Judge Smith the most
available man to kill off Latin and
Taylor, two strong, ambitious young
men, the one from Fayette and the
other from Upton county. These
two gentlemen we're the only contest
ants against him who were to be feared.
for it was not to be expected that
the claims of either colored or
working man would be very seri-
ouSly considered in a Republican
convention, hence the candidacy of
Carter Harris and John Q. Hook, was
regarded merely as little by play for
the amusement of the spectators, who
understood exactly what it would
amount to. And then it was supposed
by the partisans Of Judge Smith that
he would be able to attract some Dem
ocratic support from the sky blue
element of that party. This may be
true, but 1t is not probable that he
will receive more strength than
almost any other Republican would
have done from this source.
except so far as it may
be increased by a few relatives and
personal friends in different parts of
the district. But aside from this
Judge Smith will not be strong man
in this race, for he will encounter
many elements Of opposition which he
will find it difficult to overcome. His
earnest and active participation in the
passage OF the 1908 act. and his sub
sequent support of the COG settlement,
in contemptuous defiance of the wishes
and protest Of his constituents of both
parties, will bring upon him the hos.
tility OF the low tax Republicans, while
his want of sympathy and afiliation
with the colored peopletogether with
his vote and active influence against
I'D. Shaw two years ago will lose him
the support Of a great number Of
votes from the controlling element of
Republican party. While it will be
generally conceded that Judge Smith
is an excellent gentleman, most ex.
emplary private citizen, it will not be
maintained that in the qualities
Of party leadership he is the
equal Of his Democratic oppo-
nent or that he will make,
if elected, the vigorous, energetic and
successful legislator which Casey
Young has made Upon the whole,
we think the Republican party could
not very well have found a more re
spectacle, and at the same time a
weaker, candidate than they have se-
lected.