The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1892-05-19
Writes a Letter for the
ause of Pure Democ-
racy.
Reasons Why Governor Buchanan
Should Not be RenOminated.
Judge Peter Turney's Candidacy Cor.
daily and Heartily Indorsed.

UNITED STATES SENATE, WASHING
TON, May 4, 1S92.-W. G. Cooper, Esq.
Dear Sir: In answer to yours of I'd
inst. l have to say that in my opinion
If Gov. Buchanan had frankly an
nounced his position on the questions
of sub-treasury, land loan and Govern
ment ownership of railroads and tele-
graphs, he would have been renomina-
ted without opposition or division,
provided he should have announced
his position in opposition to these
heresies but in favor of them the or
ganized Democracy would have been
compelled to have united upon an
other-upon some man who is an or.
thodox Democrat.
These questions are too large and
too important for any political party
to ignore or to take any chances as to
the position OF the man whom it may
put in as leader.
Gov. Buchanan has persistently re.
fused to announce his position on
them, unless it is announced in favor
OF them in recent Interview pub
lished in the American, which, / am
informed, he repudiates.
If the interview is true he committed
himself to the support of these meas
ures, and if not true he declines to in
form the public what his opinions
are on these subjects.
In either attitude l should insist on
nominating for Governor a Democrat
who does not hesitate to announce to
the public, frankly and fully, his opin-
ions on all questions ofpublic interest,
and / think that Gov. Buchan.
an has made, and is making a grave
mistake, and doing injustice to him
self and the party that nominated and
elected him Governor, by occupying
the doubtful position he does upon
these questions,
The Democracy of Tennessee could
never consent TO nominate as its can.
didate any man who favored such
measures as these nor could it con-
sent to nominate any man who refuses
to announce his position on questions
as important as these.
} Democrats can afford to surrender
mere personal preference as between
men, but they cannot afford to sur.
render Or compromise principle.
For these reasons ! am opposed tC
the denomination of Gov. Buchanan
D and am in favor OF the nomination O
g a frank and outspoken Democrat, who
$ is sound and true upon all questions
? of public policy, and does not hesitat,
+ to fearlessly and publicly announce
his opinions.
The pending contest for the nomi
r nation for Governor seems to be be
0 tween Gov. Buchanan and Judge Tur
ney. / have known Judge Turne,
. from my boyhood, he and / both beini
natives o! the good old Democrati,
d county of Franklin.
That he is man of decided abilit,
t and the highest integrity, no on
!. doubts who knows him, and that h
y has always beena bold, frank, outspo
b ken Democrat know.
II There are not now, nor will ther
., arise questions of public interest tha
a the humblest citizen cannot ascertain
:. what Judge Turney's opinions are ur
IL on them by simply asking. He ha
IS convictions, and the courage of hi
g convictions.
4 While Tennessee has many Demt
: cratic sons / could support for Cove
u nor with pleasure, know of none ths
u could support with more pleasui
g than Judge Turney.
n Now, in conclusion, want to sa
and to emphasize the fact that my ol
lection to Gov. Buchanan is not ths
he belongs to the Alliance. have n
more objection to an Alliancema
ty than | have to a Methodist, Baptist (
N Presbyterian, to a Mason or to an Cd
,e Fellow, unless he belongs to seer,
: political organization.
~ But cannot, nor can the Democra
ID ic party, support any man who favo
lg unconstitutional, undemocratic an
o. impoltic measures such as those aboy
N referred to, or any man who refuses
= say whether he does or does not fave
ne them. Respectfully,
IsHAM g. HARRIS.