The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1904-05-13

Senator f. w. Carmack came il
Tuesday night from Memphis, where h'
has been for the past two weeks. He wa'
called upon Wednesday by a Herald
reporter, who asked him for ar
interview on the situation in Shelby
County. but he declined to make
any statement whatever, saying
that there was nothing rev that ht
cared to say in addition TO his interview
no the Memphis News.
The Memphis Interview.
That interview is as follows, taker
from the Memphis Morning News Of
Tuesday:
A reporter for The News saw Senator
C.rmack at the Peabody Hotel just
after he had called upon his colleague,
Sc, ator Bate.
What do you think of the senatorial
fight in this county," asked the re-
porter.
IL have never disguised the fact" re-
piled Senator Carmack, "that / favor
the reelection of my colleague. Senator
Bate, though | have the friendliest feel
ing for Gov, McMiIlin, and the personal
relations between him and myself have
always been of the kindliest character.
Outside of this county | have taken
practically no part ia the contest between
them, while never hesitating, when
called upon, TO express my preference
for Senator Bate. want to say, how
eyer, that there is a much bigger ques
ton at stake here than the election of a
United States Senator. That question
is whether the politics of this city shall
be controlled by professional and habit
nal yiolators of the law
The Professional Gambler In Ward
Politics.
1T is Gov. MoMillin's misfortune that
the management of his political inter-
ests in this city is intimately associated
with class of persons who make their
living by violating the laws of the State
and city. These people have grown in
soient and defiant through long immu-
nity from punishment until conditions
have become lntolerable to a self respect
ing public man. So far as | am con
cerned say frankly that | would rather
have the honor of purging this city of this
insolent and iawless elembnt than to be
a senator of the United States, and in-
tend to do it. | could not, for instance.
be elected as a delegate to a county con-
yention from the ward in which I live
un'es l could get the consent of three
or four professional gamblers, who con-
troll that ward and who have been chosen
by those who misrepresent Gov. McMil-
hin as the officers of the primary in that
ward. | have never been straight laced
and have never hoped TO enact the Mil
tennium by law, but | have never be-
Heyed that men whose business it is to
violate the law should choose the men
whose business it is to make and enforce
the law.
Gamblers Assaiing Bate On Old
Score.
THAT is what has been done for some
years past ia this county. 1t has come
to pass that the man who wants to en-
force the Law is held in con tempt. Sena-
tor Bate is now being bitterly assailed
by the gambling fraternity because while |
governor of the State twenty years ago |
he refused to pardon gambler con-
victed of felony in this equity. | have |
heard some of these gentlemen say that |
practically every gambler in the State
would go against HIM in this fight, and
that while a few of the old fashioned
gamblers would be for him, they would
be without influence. If our political
affairs in Tennessee have come to such
q pass that must ask the consent of
these persons to hold public office
then the post of honor is private sta
ton.
1t was suggested to Mr.. Carmack that
The SO somewhat warm remarks might
affect his candidacy for delegate from
the State at large
II do not care" said Mr.. Carmack,
''whpther this county instructs for me
Tor delegate or not. That is Ct even
less Importance than the question of
whom it shall instruct for United States
senator The important question is to
put the law breakers of this city under ;
he heel of the law. l repeat that 1t is
,nfortur ate that Gov. McMilin s ]
candidacy for the senate should haye ,
become mixed up with our local politi-
All conditions, but those who have ;
haFge of his interests here have fixed
{ that way II