The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1907-11-07
Rasnnearance Of Carmack


1t is perfectly we'll understood in
Tennessee that the Hon. E. W. Car
mack proposes to himself another Ca
reer in the United States senate. Such
was the opinion Of democratic leaders
in that state as far back as last June,
although the gossip met with emphatic
denial OF the hands of Mr.. Carmack's
friends. Apparently, however, the
gentleman has since explored the field
with critical industry and satisfied at
least himself that the enterprise is
promising, for the announcement of his
aspirations has very recently been
made under circumstances which guar
sntee it's authenticity.
Mr.. Carmack expects to approach
the toga by way of the governorship.
The chief executive in Tennessee has
"the organization at his command.
Without that accessory Mr.. Carmack
could not hope to control the legisla-
ture. Therefore Mr.. Carmsck first pre-
sents himself to a palpitating public as
q candidate for governor. II he can de-
feat the present incumbent for re.elec-
ton and have two years in which TO
convert TO his own personal uses a ma
chinery which has almost always hith-
erto met every expectation, the chancs
ell are that a we'll trained band OF
statesmen will make him senator by
reclamation. There are diffiulties in
the way, Of course. There are the pri-
maries to begin with. But a shrewd
and aggressive politician, employing
with vigor and discretion the forces
that governor may manipulate, can
easily divert the primaries to his pur'
poses. In word, the governor OF i'm
aginnble for the United States senate,
provided he wishes to utilize his oppor
tunities, and is equipped with the in
telligence necessary to their utmos
exploitation. Thus Mr.. Carmack ad
vances along the line Of least resistance
II is true that Tennessee democrat
recognize an unwritten party Law
whereby governor, under ordinary
conditions, can count upon renomina
ton. tits equally true that Mr.. Pat
terson, now serving first term, ap
pears to have discharged his duty will
credit and good renown. But for man,
months past Mr.. Carmack has beel
preaching lay sermons throughout tn
Estate, denouncing liquor and its vota
ries, hurting ansthema at loose living
"wassail and ungodly glee," extollin
] total abstinence as the only virtue up
on which the Preside and the famil
can depend for honorable preservation
and by an interesting coincidence piou
and God-fearing Tennesseans are NOV
receiving intimations to the effect tbs
D Gov. Patterson is, perhaps, the moi
dissolute and degenerate monster eve
endowed with authority over mora
orderly and deser wing people.
The country at large is not especial
interested in Mr.. Carmack. Natural
3 we all enjoyed him while he was sci
ator. He talked with fuency and fel
ivor. He pointed with pride ond hur
ed back, and brandished his sorr'
Iforelock in fashion calculated to It'll
late the most languid fancy. PerhaI
: many would like to have him back
| the senate, if only as the comedy ell
o ment in @ somewhat tedious dram
J. But really Tennessee can do bett'
9 than Carmack. The South is gettin
rich, resuming its long lest place in Il
national equation so far as concern
substantial progress and prosperit,
= Doesn't the present situation sugge
4 the idea Of o South represented in Il
a national councils by its finer types,
r men who stand for its conservation
!. its brains, its courage, its anciel
q idals? Tennessee would do we'll, Fl
!. itself and its section, to send to Il
senate n genuine and typical exponen
New York Sun.