The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-01-13
NOT ENCOURAGING.
Harris Men Get Little Comfort
Out of the Caucus Vote of Friday
Night Last.
Their Attempts to Appear Cheerful
Are Amusing to See.
The --latest INSTRUCT ons From
Homo" Racket Being Played.
Every Conceivable Dodge Known to the
Political Profession Being Worked
For All It is Worth-AtkinsjMen
Have an Opportunity.
STAT correspondoncc of The Anncnl.

NASHVILLE, Tenn, Jan. l2.-"Well,
what 10 you think Of the vote last night?"
A question every member oil the General
Assembly and no end OF outsiders have
asked innumerable times. The reference
was to the vote for United States Senator
in the Democratic caucus. 1t has been
: fde sole topic OF conversation in political
circles, hence the inquiry. Now what is
the significance Of the vote? Plainly, and
in fact, it is an explosion Of the idea OF
Harris's claim to overwhelming strength
over all opposition, and therefore dis.
couragement to the cool, calculating man
ayers on that side who look beyond their
noses. Ask the common run OF his friends,
however, what the vote portends and the
reply will be, his election on the first bal
lot Monday night Ask them further for
the foundation Of that faith and you will
find them unpreparcd for an intelligent
reply
Go then TO the anti-lIarris men for an
analysis OF the vote. They have little to
say but smile at the opposition's Boosting.
They realize the strength of organization,
know where they stand, and are willing to
wait patiently and receive all the shocks
aimed at them in future ballots. There is
nothing in the situation TO warrant alarm
among the anti-Harris forces beyond tho
swarm OF workers here for the Senator,
who understands every political trick in
the catalogue and knows when and how to
spring il. His campaign, from now on, or
until Lis hu.t lofe. - lr,lran .ttlt ~ ~
the hip, hip. hurrah order, whiring,
rushing. mad onslaught. The only hope
OF success for him is to brighten the
Aikins-Savage forces. Since the publica-
ton of the vote, aligning all the members,
the telegram racket is being played for all
II lis worth. The time for those hid out
in the brush TO act having arrived, the
timid, shaky fellows are bewldered over
Cater instructions from home, this time
for Harris"
In their confusion they do not halt 20
- study the true inwardness OF the game,
they do not remember what they would
otherwise know TO be the true sentiment
OF their constituents, and unless fortified
would throw down their weapons, hold up
their hands and beg for mercy.
The simple truth is this: The large and
powerful machine, carefully built up dur
ing the past twelve years by Senator liar.
ris and the Federal ring he has got about
him, has small majority here. Aside
from the majority OF thuse invested with
the voting privilege being trained fighters,
there Is u largo army OF manipulaiors ON
hand TO work in the dark ON the outside
flank OF the opposition and yell like thun.
der whenever the time for IL arrives. This
trick was beautifully worked in the caucus
last night. Senators Berry aud Moody
and Representatives Whitthome and
siainback did the soft persuasive talk act,
while the horde Of legislative and outside
workers moved nimbly about over the
House. confused tho uninitiated support.
ers Of Atkins and Savage, and eventually
got the Scnatorship up by the slenderest
sort Of majority. When Mr. Whitthornc
offered his substitute resolution TO 20 into
caucus. leaving the order Of business TO be
there determined, and establishing the
two-third rule TO nominate, he simply
remarked, "Now, gentlemen, what iairer
propostion can YOU Lsk?' but he might
probably have added, "And what more
powerful weapon eau you place in our
hands 10 hammer you into accepting sem
a,or Isham 6. llarrsg'
To adopt an order Of business requires
only n small majority vote, aud one would
h. sufficient That much they could rely
upon, and they got IL, with n few more
. gathered from tho dcmoralizcd opposing
- ranks. There was not an argument adj
yanccd TO show that u was the part Of
wisdom 10 take up the United States Sem
atorship fiiHt The desperate hurrsh tact
les bk which Il prevailed, without merit
..tssW s.sfsaFfls.I "a. Nha
yincing confirmation Of what | have pre-
yiousy statcd-SCnalor Harris II 10 ride
into Office on the shoulders OF candidates
for State offices, or go down into private
life. What though he should prove unable
20 deliver votes Tor which hopes and assur-
nuccs arc held out 90 aspirnts--that mat
ten not, once hc IN fixed. Whether re-
turned 10 the Senate or not, the chances
are nine 10 one ho would have nothing
moro TO ask 81 the Democratic party OF
Tennessee. No disappointed oiliccsceker
would vote 30 turn his batteries upon him
and drive him from the field. the present
IA his last race. terminate ne II may.
Methods by which no can succeed are
considered ouly from the standpoint OF
the electives. This is the great and sole
secret underlying the mighty effort TO Jet
the thirty or more candidates for State
OilllIt halN Vut uhhNI AAItha9 anu ahA'
iciy
Senator Crews Is a good man, ono whom
all who know believe imbucd with a spirit
Of honesty and fairness, even toward an
enemy AZ such, he owes TO the Demo
Gratis Of Shelby County, Of the State, and
especially OF the General Assembly, an
humble explanation and apology. lilo wa
one OF the members stakcd cut 10 eulogiz,
Senator Harris and second his nomination
lie discharged the no doubt pleasing obi
CATION. In his remarks the plain PROPOSE
ton was laid down that In Shelby County
II the issue between Harris aud anti.llarril
, men was drawn and that Harris triumphed
- by a vote Of something like II. 900 10 400
This statement was offered 10 contradictions
10 that Of Mr.. Jones. Of Benton, giving III,
relative strength OF the two candidates
fairly aud regularly tested In Henry Coun
~, where both resided for several years
and irom which both have been elected I,
Office. But why Il was submitted make
no difference. II would bc a reflection