The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1907-01-24
The New Governor.

II u6W RONSTuOr lb Always III HUT
esting figure. He is, too, something
in the nature of an experiment; for
other public position he may
have held, he is called upon to con-
front new conditions and grapple with
unusual problems. The governorship
of Tennessee requires executive ability
as a matter of course, and it also calls
for tact and sound political sense.
Malcolm r. Patterson, who is now
the governor of Tennessee, is a strik-
ing and interesting personality. No
political career in this state has been
more dashing and romantic. He has
never lost but one contest that he ever
made, and that was when, shortly after
his return from college, he was, with
out any solicitation on his part, nomi-
mated for the legislature.
The secret of his success has been
his faith in his star. From the begin
ming of his career others doubted his
ability to triumph, but he remained
serene and confident Of the outcome.
When he announced himself as
candidate for attorney-general of this
countyagainst three able and resource
full antagonists, very few of the wise
men in politics thought he stood any
chance to win; but he made wonder
full campaign and scored signal vic
tory.
About six years ago he decided to
become q candidate for congress. At
the very time of his announcement
the cards had been stacked against
him in two counties. The machine
politicians of Upton, before the con-
gressional committee had taken any
action at all, held snap convention
and instructed that county for Manson.
Hardeman county, the home of Man
son, instructed for its own man. In
Fayette county, where Manson had
made thorough canvass, a mass meet
ing was called by the machine fellows
with view of freezing Patterson out.
He had only about week in which to
organize his forces there, but he went
to Fayette and made his fight right
there, routing the machine and win
ming out in the mass convention by
about two to one. Fayette's vote, with
that of his home county-Shelby-o of
course gave him the nomination.
When he decided to become candi-
date for governor. the shrewdest poll
ticians in this city declared that his
cause was hopeless. AT that time no.
body knew anything about Cox. By
an accident he had become governor.
He was reputed to be a political Oily
Cannon, and it was said that he had
built upa strong and compact machine.
A number of snap conventions had
been pulled off in his interest in sever
al republican counties in the early
winter; but this did not discourage
Patterson.
Gen. Patterson began his campaign
by notifying Gov. Cox that he would,
in his opening speech, assail his record
as revenue agent and legislator, and
invited him to be present and defend
himself The governor discreetly de.
cined. Patterson did not indulge in
any personalities, but he proved from
the legislative records that Cox had
been the trusted friend of the liquor
interests in the general assembly, and
that his methods as a revenue agent
had been condemned very emphatical-
ly by Legislative investigating com
mittee.
Gen. Patterson made his fight virtu-
ally alone. He had no one interest
back of him, and all that he could rely
on was the enthusiastic support of his
friends. His virile and picturesque
canvass caught the fancy of the state,
and yesterday he secured the fruits Of
his triumph.
He has now to justify himself in a
new office, the kind of an Office to
which he has hitherto been an alien,
He now takes his place as the success
or to Isham G. Harris, William B.
Bate, Benton McMillin and other
great governors, aud We do not doubt
that he will vindicate his title to the
peoples confidence. If he discharges
the duties of his office in large mind
ed, liberal way; il he grapples with
state questions vigorously and proves
himself a faithful servant of the PEG.
pie, we are satisfied that he has begun
career that will prove illnstrious.
Democratic in all his instincts and
training, he now has golden oppor-
tunity; and we do not doubt that he
will avail himself of it-Commsrcial-
AnneAl.