The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1903-09-17

knows that it is not good |
politics to NEEDLE in business that
does not concern him directly or indi-
rectly. He is the unknown quantity at
present in the senatorial contest to Sc
lect Senator Bates successor, and cir
of course will dictate his
course in the future.
The only ayowed senatorial candi-
dates are Senator Bate aud ex Gov.
McMillin. 1t will be an animated
contest between these two gentlemen.
Gen. Bate is veteran compaigner and
he has always had an immense hold
upon the democracy of Tennessee. He
has, however, reached an age when
age is apt to be factor in any fight he
may make. In the case of Senator
Harris this made no difference; he
dominated the situation until he died.
Should Gen. Bate retain his vigor there
there can be little doubt that he will
be formidable antagonist. Another
strong factor in his favor is the cordial
support of ex-Gov. Bob Taylor. There
is no more popular man in the state,
and in case Gen. Bate should not for
any reason be a candidate, we can
hardly doubt that the author of "The
Ei1J1o and tbo Rou,O mi ~, hin, GOLF Ian
into the arena and merge the bate fol-
lowing with his own, if that be posi-.
BILE.
The Hon. Benton McMillin, how
ever, has signed for the campaign.
Twenty years service in congress and
two terms in the gubernatorial chair
have made Gov. McMillin one of the
best equipped public men in Tennes-
see. He is a man of democratic man
ners and genial address, and he knows
the A B C's of politics himself. He is
an effective speaker without being a
great orator, and he has q head full of
common sense. He is vigorous, ag-
gressive and almost brilliant at times,
and he has active supporters all over
the state who will omit no effort to see
him elected.
There is naturally no little interest
manifested in the future for Governor
Frazier. He has been governor now
for the better part of the year, and he
is still more or less of an unknown
quantity. In some quarters it is init
mated that he would like to be a sena.
tor of the United Strtes himself, but he
would be handicapped as long as he
occupied the governors chair. Furth.
ermore, if Gen. Bate should for any
reason fail to be candidate, we do moi
imagine the govdrnor would stand
much chance in contest with McMil
lin and Bob Taylor. Already his adj
ministration is the subject of no little
controversy in the press. Some of oul
esteemed contemporaries indeed are
busily engaged in assailing and Others
in defending him. 1t is charged ir
some quarters that he has turned his
back upon some of his most energetic
friends, and that he has ignored those
who had the local ascendency in theil
particular counties. Some very savage
attacks have been made upon him, in
dicating that fight will be made upo1
his denomination for governor. 1t il
said that his course IN the guberna
torial chair first alienated the liquor in
terests of the state, and subsequently
displeased the temperance people. Ii
this county he is credited with the de
feat of the Reform School appropria
ton. Of course the governor has hi
enthusiastic defenders, who are mostly
from East Tennessee, though severa
influential West Tennessee Journals
are taking up the cudgels in his behalf
! These things would indicate that the
governor will not get a second nomina
tion without fighting for it.
1t is possible that Memphis even nov
is growing a candidate of gubernatoria
size: Major Williams seems to be wei
thought Of by considerable number
of people throughout the state for gov
ernor. There is every prospect tina
the present investigation of his Office
by his political enemies will revea
nothing but medal sins and minor I'M
Intentional mistakes. Should THU
prove to be the case, several cubits will
be added to the mayors statute, and il
the next gubernatorial convention tn,
race may be between the highlands ant
the lowlands, with the caterans of Viii
liams vigorously contesting every incl
with the caterans of Frazier.
There are still two elements in th,
political situation here to be consid
cred. These are William j. Bryan
and the Anti-Saloon League. All tn,
indications are that Tennessee demo
Gratis recognize the passing of Bryan
and that he will not be allowed to pre-
scribe the course which they must pur
sue. As for the Anti-Saloon League
that organization is preparing to q
still further in the direction of drasti,
legislation against saloons. There car
be no doubt that the temperance ele