The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1906-02-08
W. P. BR0WNLOW FIRES
A RAKING BROADSIDE
Sarcastic AllusiOn to Newell Sanders As a
Standing Political Joke Sometimes
Takes Himself Seriously.
BY LOUIS BRowNLow.
Special 10 Nashville Banner.

suggestion of President Roosevelt's in
tention to take hand in the affairs of
the republican party in Tennessee.
'iowever, he pays his respects to some
nf those who have suggested such ac-
'on on the part of the administration
n the following interview:
Il have not been the least bit worri-
ed by these publications, because
rave never doubted the presidents sin
'ere interest of the party's welfare, his
political sagacity, nor his keen appreci-
'tion of the eternal fitness of things.
.oeidentally / had heard that efforts
we're to be made TO draw the admins
"ation into the support of Mr. Evans
ambitions to be candidate for govern
'r, but treated it lightly because loath
~ believe that anybody of any stand
,ng wouId have little enough sense to
believe it could be DONE
"When the publication was made
from Washington that the president
had decided to take hand in our in
side affairs, discredited it, believing
bat the report was inspired at Chatta-
npoga. | now know that it was. A.
distinguished republican of Tennessee,
@ judge on the bench, and, of course q
gentleman whose veracity is above
question, came to Washington some
days since to tell me that he had been
advised over the telephone by Newell
Sanders that Mr.. Evans would be a
andidate with the presidents endorse
ment, that Brownlow would be called
town by the administration and that
Wrlght's candidacy would be eliminat-
ed by an administrative demand.
SANDERS A POLITICAL JOKE.
"I did not treat even this seriously,
cause | regard Newell Sanders only
3 a standing political joke, clever
-nougb, perhaps, in his way, but un
ier any and all circumstances a real
uuny political joke. Indeed, / ought
. say that he is the colossal political
mbecile of the country, whose estl-
mate of party responsibility is measur-
'd by wealth and whose only god is II.
lay Evans, at whose shrine he has
1een bOwing and scraping for many
years. But Sanders sometimes takes
himself seriously, and in one of these
moods got it into his head that because
the president for satisfactory reasons
dismissed or removed Mr.. Evans from
the consular service at London, with
out call, recall, or other usual notice,
that he might be persuaded to invade
Tennessee politics and invite me to
step down and out, so far as have to
do with the management of party af
fairs, Sanders might have reflected
that possibly the first was considered
in the interest of the public service and
III pursuance of administrative policy
while the second would be simply to
bolster the ambitions of a politician
whose appeal for presidential support,
whether made with his connivance or
not, could only be regarded here as q
pitiful acknowledgement of that politi-
clans inability to stand alone among
the people where he lives. II the pro-
moters of this scheme in party affairs
had been capable Of thinking, they
would have known that the very effort
of itself was to discredit the president s
sense Of dignity and propriety.
"But those fellows did come here,
am told, with the purpose stated, and
presented their unheard of proposition.
LAUGHED OUT OF COURT.
81 also learn that they were laughed
out Of court. The coming was men
toned at cabinet meeting, where the
president indicated that he had no in
tentiou OF taking up Mr.. Evans candi
dacy. Then also member of the cab
met said; If Mr.. Evans can not stant
up in Tennessee without calling on thu
commander in chief of the army anC
navy for aid, then he ought to fall"
"Ohl They we're here all right, ant
that is what they got, and other report
going out from here to the contrar,
Notwithstanding. The republicans 0
Tennessee know under what leadershi
they wish to fight If majority pre-
fer Mr.. Evans, no man will have
right to complain; not even the presi
dent of the United States. II they pre-
fer some other person than Mr.. Evans
then no partisan of that gentleman vii
have any right to complain.
"That is the view taken by the pres
ident and his cabinet, and it was ridiC
ulous for any body to think they woul
think anything else.
II am for Asbury Wright for GOV
ernor. Iexpect to see him nominated
and just as confidently expect to Sc
, HIM elected. If he is not elected th
! country will know the reason why.
! 81 will be at the state convention
{ there is enough life left in my body
, take me there, and | hope to meet {
many of the republicans of The stat
who are interested in party succe'
above personal ambition as can con
there.
"Asbury Wright is candidate b