The west Tennessee star. (Bolivar, Tenn.) 1888-1888, 1888-11-23
BOB TAYLOR ON TOP.

and In doing this he has
won a party victory. But it must
in truth be SAID that he has won a
more signal victory over the politi-
clans in his OWE party who so earn-
estly and even bitterly opposed HIM.
1t will be remembered how sirens
uously, how holly, how dog
gedly, his nomination was opposed
in the party convention. Among
the leaders of the opposition were
some of the shrewdest and abb est
politicians of the party, who from
first to last sought to prevent his Sc
lection as the democratic candida te
for governor. The committee on
resoi uiiOns, departing from the usu-
al custom, deliberately ig nOl ed and
snubbed the democratic governor by
emitting all mention of him. Then
he was fought with a persistencY
which would admit of no. compromise.
When Taylor's support in the
convention began TO increase and
his denomination seemed to be inev-
liable, his democracy was openly
asaailed by one IF the abl est of the
leaders of the opposition, and when
. Loot kbo 1No,,ID,. v,o,, baI 49,, IT,
long fonght battle large number
of the opposition refused TO acqui-
esce in the formalIty of making the
no minatiOn unanimous. 1t was a
most remarkable fight Of the poIiti-
clans against a man who knows
little about politics, but who had be-.
hind him popular support that was
increased and intensified by Oppo.
sltiOn.
This was the great advantage
which Gov. Tay lor had over his pn.
litical and personal enemies in the
democratic camp. The opposition
was carried to that extent that it
created sympathy for him, and be-
fore the convention had done its
work the people in the counties be-
gan to move IN his behalf, and tel
egrams were sent fast and thick in~
structing unwilling delegates to cast
their votes for Taylor. Aud when
Taylor became the nominee he had
another advantage IF the politicians,
The political leader to retain infu-
ence and potency Of voice in the
party is bound TO keep a straight
record. He must vote for the nom.
inee, however disagreeable the duty.
He Cannot afford to be independent
but must keep In line with the or
gani cation and eat crow, however
little he may relish It. The politi'
cans, who manage party affairs, are
Lound to the party chariot, and
must 90 along with 1t wherever il
goes. So, when Taylor was noml-
mated, lie could count on the sup
pert of opponents who refuse! to
make his u animation unanimous.
In addition he secured the help Of
increased popular endorsement caus-
ed by this very opposition of the
politicians. There we're some hun.
dredS Of scratchers, but the leaders
of the opposition to Taylor were COM
PEELED to advise his support by the
party people, and they found a GER
tam ort of satisfaction in thus dis
playing their party tealty by voting
for and urging others to vote for q
nominee whom they personally rid
leu Ell aud cond emned.
1t is not our purpose in this article
to discuss Gov. TaYlOr's qualiiCa-
tons or lack of til EN- as governor
or meas ure his capabllity and infor
nation This phase OF discussion Ii
pretermitted until some other time
But we may men ten the governors
success in favOrably Impresslng hi
audiences as a speaker. With {
good appearance, fine voice, some
Of the arts of the orator, and with 1
ready fund of anecdote, be is a sue
cess in entertaining and pleasing tht
average political assemblage of cit
liens. His speeches in the recent
canvass evinced no deep insight
into the questions he discussed, NJ
comprehensive study of the issues
OF the day, no familiarity with the
philosophy of government or the
underlying principles of pOltica
economy, and yet they were more
pleasing aud entertaining, and per
haps more effective with the crowds
than would have been far ADLER pre-
sensations of the democratic view O.
current issues. He made himself
popular with the people, who re-
gsrded the fight against him as a wal
of the politicians. Thus, IN spite OIL
the iaci that the politicians damned
him with faint praise, or praised
him with deep damns, and in spite
of the fact that he had not the per.
aonal sympathy nor the hearty en-
couragement Of political leaders
many of them, notably of the Ishan
q. Harris school, he went forward
amidst all the threats of scratching
and fears of knitting, and secured
an increased plurality OF votes over
his majority of 1886.
Yes, Bob IN his fght with the pol
iliciaus had the people Oh his side
and he got on top. 1t does not toll
low, however, that this means that