The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1906-02-22

given greater weight even now than
that of Brownlow at Washington.
Sometime since interviews appeared
with many strong republicans all over
the state urging Mr.. Evans to accept
the nomination for governor. In the
list were such men as Newell Sanders,
of Chattanooga, former chairman of the
state committe; aon. John H, EARLY, q
former elector on the republican ticket;
Hon. John @. Houk, former congress
man from the Second district; S. b.
Anderson, chairman of the congression,
al committee of the Tenth district; G,
H, Trimble, of Memphis.
Two days ago Jas. A. Greer, a lead
ing republican of Loudon county and
one of the best known politicians in
Eastern Tennessee, and heretofore one
of Brownlows main standbys, came
out in salty statement in which he
favored Mr.. Evans. The interview as
it appeared in the East Tennessee pa,
pers follows;
MIR. GREERs INTERVIEW.
In an interview with J. A. Greer, of
Loudon county, he discussed the polit-
ical situation. He was asked:
"Mr. Greer, who are you republicans
going to nominate this year as your
candidate for governor"
81 can not say" he replied. 81 see
from the numerous interviews had
through some of the papers by Con
gresham W. p. Brownlow and NV.
Hale and some of their appoinUees tC
office that they very strongly favor
Hon. T. A. Wright, of lockwood, but
the people are in favor of and want
Hon. H. Clay Evans, because he is fa
vorably known from one end of the
state to the other. He has an enviabl(
national reputation, is a christian gen
tleman, fine organizer, able debatel
and strong campaigner, and, in my
honest judgment, would receive by 10,
900 to 10000 more votes than any Other
man the republican party could nomi
pate. If the people can get a square
deal he will not only be nominated
but will be elected" "
"Why are Brownlow and Hale Sc
strong for Wright?" was asked
"Well, to make long story short,
will say General Will d. Wright, whC
is brother of Z. A. Wright was al
applicant for reappointment to the oflic,
of United States district attorney from
the Eastern district of Tennessee. II
the deal between Brownlow and Hale
MIR. Hale swapped the attorneyship aut
the assistant attorneys place for th
pension agent, so that he might secur
the influence and support of the Jour
nal and Tribune to keep him in con
gress. Next Brownlow and Hale start
ed the Wright boom, which had beel
prearranged to the deal between Hal
and Brownlow, as developments seer
to justify, in oriler that the Wright
might be held in line for Hale for con
gress and in order that the Second dis
/ trict might be held in line for Brown
low to get what he wants in the stat
convention and that he might continu
to dominate and control the federl
: patronage of the state and retain hi
: position as national committeeman
All these interviews by these tw
! Ipolitical bosses and their appointet
. to office are had and published for tt
5 sole purpose of trying to turn the pei
s pie from Evans to Wright, but IL
] people are not going to turn. The PEI
Q pie are not going to be canght in tn
4 kind Of trap this year. Bossism
: gettiug to be very much under par vii
e the people, especially when they see Il
t sole objects of the bosses are to furth
: their own interests at the expense al
e sacrifice of the peoples interests al
Q welfare.
"What do you think of the co
: gressional committees denomination
Q Hale for congress, and their action
l. re. electing themselves" 2" was also ask,
i Mr.. Greer.
g II think Hale was renominated
g the committee and the committee !
Is elected itself but neither were non
IS mated nor elected by the Republic
10 party and such denomination or elt
,e ton is not binding upon the part
>. There are only two ways Of nominati
% candidates for Office and electing col
Ie mittees, that is either by conventi
.e or primary election. All other non
2, nations are fraudulent aud void, 1t
lie travesty upon good morals, good ci
'. zenship, and gross infringement
le the peoples rights to express tn
r. choice. Not only that, but such acti
is is revolutionary, without precedel
ic arbitrary, undemocratic, tyrannical a
en insult to the rights and privileges
free people. / don't like to see a
rights belonging to the people iguol
- and trampled under foot aud since
!, ly protest against any usurpation Of
- peoples rights. If the peoples rig
= are not protected and defended {
government would cease to be a &
ernment of the people, for the peor
!. and by the people.
LEE BROCK TALKS.