The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1902-08-22
A LEGISLATIVE CONTEST.

The Nashville Banner, one OF the
a,est all-round daily journals in the
State, if it is independent in poll
tIcs, has the following very sensl-
syge reflections and refreshing re-
marks about the personnel OF the
Legislature:
The Memphis News, in an editorial
urging that the best and tittest men
he nominated and elected from Shelby
4>rNlnty to serve in the next Legisla-
Sure, says; "The result would be to
give Shelby County the first place In
the councils of the State-the place to
Vx5gich she is entitled by virtue of her
rrimacy in population, wealth and in
felligence."
waving a discussion of Shelby
&younty's alleged right of primacy, it
rs we'll enough for the people of Shelby |
arounty to assume that right if such a
4y,Dnceit shall serve to inspire them
w5th determination to send the very |
best meg to the Legislature. Really,
at would be good for Tennessee if eV-
,aYycounty in the State would become
Gmbued with the idea that it is the
best county and therefore should re-
e4llYe to prove its claim by the charac-
Ter of its representation in the Gener-
al Assembly. If the people OF every
county with commendable self-esteem
and pride would say, "We have
splendid county and our population Is
81 the best, and we are not only Will
Eng. but anxious to be Judged by the
CAPABILITIES and characters of the men
we send to represent us in the Legls-
IaGure, y the standard of representa-
aion in the General Assembly would
Ere greatly elevated.
Is there not some way to encourage
end secure this kind of emulation?
What benefit would accrue to the
State if all the counties should begin
TO vie with each other IN the contest
-Ggr first place in the General Assem-
bly, IN respect to the ability and stand
ing of its representation. why not
let us have such competition? Shell
nv County is urged to send leglsla-
tive delegation which will take hrst
wsak and hold primacy in the Gen
earal Assembly because of it's strength
of character, high intelligence and
earnest and honest concern for the
y welfare of the commonwealth. we
hope Shelby County Will respond tc
such an appeal. But Davidson Coun
w should not be willing to take sec
0nd place. 1t should determine t(
have a representation that will out
measure Shelby's in the commanding
Influence and usefulness which char
s-9uEer and capability can secure. Anc
4'aen no other county should be Will
ing to be rated in its representation
as commonplace, inefficient or un
worthy. The smallest county ma!
send man to the Legislature Wh'
will stand high in all that coqstitute
a Yirst-class representativeIInd law
maker, one who will reflects honor OF
his county and make it rank in tn
< halls of legislation with the larRte.' {
most populous Ead most nuy~@luSl
represente1~.. !
The 30 you'd like to see sue
IL GloTN Eould be the lest thin
chat at ~ for the State. Th
b mai tO6ei Representation in tn
Legisg@ Se truly repressnt3rve
fhe 81 t4ey claim toj Panselvc
audi g5n beE,iiNSZ to judged b
theEf fsaracte NJ Intative
DIR. H. SO 'hn "a sI;scte
as mem{ 6f the Board Of AIDE
men to Pf the vacancy cause
bv the resignation Of ,. S. Taton
OF course many of2 regret tt
loss Of Mr.. TatYb citizenshi
..and his Efficient TEk as an a
derman, but, VIZ Re sure that Il
people genAalIE and the Boar
are to be congratulated upon tt
accession of Pa. Butler as his su
cessor. His.iA Immediate neighbo
and friends OF the eastern local
" Of the citA are no doubt hig
IN pleased over the news, feelil
mat their special interests a