The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-01-09
W. L. CLAPP
Elected Speaker of the Lower House
After Seventy-two Ballots and After
Having Withdrawn His Name.
This Gives West Tennessee the Pre-
siding Officers of Both
Houses Of the Forty sixth General
Assembly of the State,
Judge j. B. Lea, Of Haywood, and
the Hon. w. L. Clapp, OF Shelby
Speculations as to the Effect This
Will Have on the Great Issue.
The Race for the United States SEN
Speculations as to the Effect This
Will Have on the Great Issue.
The Race for the United States SEN
l.. atorship Still In Doubt.
Sparks and Fort, the staunch
Friends of Harris, Sacrificed.
Neither Lea Nor oiapp Are Pronounced
Harris Supporters, the Latter Par
tlcularly, but He is Instructed
The Why and Wherefore Of
Certain Peculiar Deals
The Ball Still Rolls.
Stan Correspondence OF Tho Appeal.

siah Correspondence OF The Appeal.
NASHVILLE, Tenn, Jan. SIT has not
remained .or the present General Assem-
bly, OF Tennessee TO demonstrate that in
gratitude thrives greatest in the heart Of
the politician. For ages philosophers OF
large and small caliber have sungthe same
old song, until il has settled down into a
sort Of cardinal principle in all govern
ments. At present Tennessee is engaged in
political war that is holding the attention
OF the entire United States. The politi.
clans are waging il, but the common peo.
pie are also involved TO the extent OF hav-
ing peculiar interest in the most attract
tive Office at stake-that OF United States
Senator. So complete and uncertain has
become the contest that all the other Of
fees must be voted away under a spirit Of
subseryience 10 that.
Mai j. W. Sparks, Of Murfrecsboro,
Rutherford County, has been the embodi-
ment Of llarrisism. His congressional
district, the fifth, is the backbone of the
Harris frame In middle Tennessee, due in
large measure 10 the popularity of Maj.
Sparks as n man and Democrat, the re-
naming cause being unwonted inter
ference by the Federal ring. Mai.
y,Sparks is n member OF the present Senate
-nl aspircd 20 the presidency Of that
BODY His leading opponent was Judge
. II j. Lea, OF Haywood, Senator from
Haywood, Lauderdalc and Crockett Coun-
tics. The latter two counties belong To
the Atkins contingent, aud the Judge has
also said that he believed Haywood 10 be
in the same column, though not so in
structed she was generally conceded 20 be
among those who would support Senator
Harris for q time. Natumllythe inference
arises that considering the undivided ear
nest AMI efficient services OF Maj. Sparks
for him, Senator Harris would through his
partisians push that gentleman into the
presidency, but he did not although Sem
ators for him were in sufficient majority to
have accomplished his bidding The rca.
son for this Is plain. Senator Sparks IL no
doubt properly considered nm unscliish
man and a stanch friend. Through him
and the Federal ring the greater part Of
the Fifth Congressional District is gagged
for the Senator with restraining influences
ever near 10 circumyent early efforts 10
bolt. Julgc lea Is from the Western
division OF the State from which the Sen.
aior Is 10 be chosen barring accident That
section has pronounced overwhelmingly
for Gen. Atkins. Judge Lea Is an inliucn.
iial factor in the politics Of that section,
standing high in the esteem Of those who
know him. lie inclincs Just little
toward Senator Harris andha u semblance
OF liberty upon which 10 act In accord.
Two OF his counties as against one tell
him 20 sustain the candidacy Of Gen.
Al. Is.N LOT UtVs,
10 clinch his vote and influence.
il was not hard 10 settle upon the method.
Thc Judge must be male Speaker Of the
>, Scnatc. even NJ the sacrifice Of no true and
unsclflsh friend rs Senator Sparks, and
the sacrifice was made.
have not heard Mai Sparks bemoan-
ing his fate, but he now bas the golden
opportunity Of his life to vt down and
coolly reflect.
In the House Speakcrship contest end
ing IN the selection Of the Hon. w. l.
Clapp, OF Shelby, another slaughter occur
red, the victim being sianch aud encr
goilo friend Of Senator Harris. True the
gentleman elected u in the highest degrc,
capable for the honor, and Shelby County
il proud OF him and his distinction, but
that Is not the question. Mr. Clapp ant
every other member Of the Shelby dclcga
tion knows something Of the gag they carr,
and know that should they remove Il from
the start In the ballot for United State
Senator and vote Tor other than cx.GOv
lsham q. Harris, the rank and file Of truy
Democracy nj home would shower praises
upon them rather than abuse. Mr.. ClapI
and his associates on the ticket wcrl
elected, not because OF their llarrii
procliyities, but for the sake Of Democracy
State and national, and through the com
binod efforts Of the Democrats The mair
fpht was for pholan, Taylor and Clcyc
land, aud il was made by Democrats N
their enthusiastic friends To secure thei
triumph ile Harris instructions had 10 bl
carried, or no much weight and kickinl
was out of the question. Peculiar comb
nation Il was between interests pmot
from friendly, but Il had 10 20 for the SAX
of Tive party. Now, the shelby member
know all this, but were elected undo
these instructions. Thoy are all honorn
bic men and will acquioscc, some Of them
. no doubt, 10 the point Of ridiculous stub
" bornness, others only until the time az
rlvcs when they cnn assert their intelli
gent manhood and represent their owl
convictions aud those OF their cons,itu
ents
Joel u. Fort was the recognized llari
candidate for Speaker, Mr.. Clapp bein
aligned mainly because Of the gag MI
Fort must 90 under 10 more thorough
bind Mr.. Clapp and Shelby County, m
under he went. Two fine examples Of III
Senator's ingratitudc and sacrihce. {
friends TO boost himself into Office. II h
succeeds what time taere will be IN She