The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-01-01
An Interesting Interview with 9
Well Posted Prognosticator.
Bob Tayior's Endeavors to Succeed
Himself as Governor.
Names OF the Men Who are Likely
d to Oppose Him in the Race.
The Senatorial Contest To Be Narrowed
to Two Aspirants, Senator Isham G.
Harris and Ex-Gov. Porter
Their Chances.
Special Dispatch 10 the Appeal.

attention here, and is commented upon
with moro or less interest by the political
sentinels at the capitol. A prominent
Tennessean, who appears to be quite well
acquainted with the details Of State poll
tics, recently made some very interesting
observations on the subject, in the pres
ehce OF your correspondent The canvass
for Governor seems TO be attracting much
attention just at this time, and II promises
to be more interesting in the near future
Coy. Bob Taylor, who figured last year in
the most sensational gubernatorial canvass
in the history Of the country, his brother
Ali being the opposing candidate on the
Republican ticket, is candidate for re-
election. Any one who witnessed the
popular demonstrations over the ffairacidal
or fratcrnal contest in Tennessee last year,
between ALI and Bob, would never have
supposed that the established Democratic
custom Of Tennessee, OF Endorsement by
reelection, would or could be violated in
the case OF Gov. Taylor. But il appears
that Coy Taylor pressed too far upon the
wave Of popular enthusiasm that swept him
into the gubcrnatorial chair, and in his
first message he ventured upon an expires.
sion that was construed TO be favorable 10
the Blair bill, which he had opposed in his
canvass. and in that message he sowed the
seeds OF discord in the Democratic party OF
the State. lie raised storm at the time,
which finally Quoted down, but now that
the Governor asks an Endorsement by re-
election, the evidences that the seeds OF
his FIRST message took deep root in
popular discomfort continue 10 multiply,
and candidates for Governor are found in
every section of the State. To use a pop
ular expression, the woods are full Of them.
Among the names freely canvasscd for the
nomination rs competitors OF Gov. TAYLOR,
East Tennessee furnishes two, with pos
sibility OF third.
The Hon. T. NJ. Mcconnell, Of Chat
tanooga,s il il alleged by his friends, will
come out q East Tennessee to tho State
convention backed by large majority Of
the Democratic delegates. while the Hon.
John Allison, the present Secretary Of
State, viii not be confined to any section
for his strength, but will have general
following throughout the State.
The present able delegation in Congress,
Il is said. has plenty good gubemaiorial
timber in IL, and the name OF the Hon.
4. Benton Mc,lillin is frequently and favora.
bly, mentioned for the nomination.
West Of the Tennessee river the name OF
The Hon. J. d. Atkins, and present able
and distinguished commissioner Of Indian
sflais. Is in the ascendant, and the record
he has made in the public service rs chair
man of the committee on appropriations
and NJ commissioner OF Indian affairs
seems ~ have brought him before the pub
lie eyes rs man whose services might be
needed TO tide over difficulties and
10 allay discussions In tho par.
BY ranks. While Gen. Atkins Is
not candidate Il is known that no has
said that he would accept the honor II ten
dercd him, and that lac would appreciate
Il a. agrcat honor, though he does not feel
tina, he should actively seek II at this time.
Gov. Taylor Is evidently much CONCERNED
about his denomination. His friends as
ser, with every appearance Of confidence.
tkat ho will sweep the convention by
e<orm, and that the opposition will amount
10 nothing.
Your correspondents informant says
that beneath the surface Of this confident
prediction theie Ia fear OF lis fulfllmont,
which Is lily disguised. Some Of the
editorial friends Of the Governor, who are
generally believed 10 be more than inti-
piaie, say that the Democratic craft bears
Cesar and his fortunes, and that II Cesar
goes down the craft will 20 with him. II
. Il never evidence Of superior political
sagacitg on the part Of friends OF eandi-
date 10 attempt 10 hang tho hopes Of the
party upon the success Of the individual.
No man Is greater than the sovereign,
all declarations 10 the contrary notwi,h-
standing. Tho most reliable element u
Gov. Taylor's strength lies In q
fight between his competitors and
the force Of the Endorsement idea,
the latter being 10 some extent
negaiiyed by the opposition TO indorsing
the administration. In fact, II may be no
carried that II Gov. Taylor Is rcnomina,cd
Il will he through his weakness rather than
tluoueh his strength. 80 far the guberna-
tohal fight has developed but two ayowcd
SENATORIAL candidates. Isham @. Harris
the present Incumbent, and the Hon. Jas
ID. Porter, late assistant Secretary OF State,
are In the field. Tho SENATOR Is serving
his second term In the Senate, and he has
strong hold ON the Democracy Of his
State. lie Is 10 Gome extent Handicapped
by the declaration. when he was elected,
that he did not expect 10 be or would
not DO candidate for the position
again, yet he has n thoroughly organized
and disciplined force In the State, and Il
can only bo beaten by similar organiza-
ton With superior numbers. Gov. Porter
hpersonally very popular In the State, but
II he Las, or u now attempting 10 create,
any systematic organization among his
fticnis and the friends Of other announced
nspimnis. the fact las not yet developed.
The speculative interest In tho senatorial
situation grows out Of the fact that ihoo
arc number Of distinguished men In the
State who feel that they could gracefully
bear senatorial hononi. and yet thoy are
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