The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1907-03-21

ii OF the memphis democracy, The
senator is only an occasional resident
Of Memphis, and of course when he |
took up the cudgels for the independ-
ents he Immediately lifted the charter
bill from its local environment to the
higher plane of state issues. He gave
out interviews in the Nashville papers,
the amended charter indis-
criminately. He opened fire on the
governor, and that added fuel to the
flames. The governor resisted the in
clination to reply, but he doubtless
made up his mind to use his influence
more emphatically for the Memphis
charter bill. Ex-Gov. McMillin, Col.
Spiral Hill and others got into the
game in behalf Of Memphis. 1t resolv-
ed itself into fight between the sena
tor and the governor; the local nature
of the bill was lost sight of; irrelevant
issues, such as the liquor question,
were injected into the controversy;
several ministers we're induced to take
up the fight against the charter, and
the conflict waxed furious.
There were times when the victory
seemed to waver between the respec-
tive factions; and it was during this
uncertainty that the American cleared
the atmosphere considerably by com
ing ont for the passage of the charter
bill, because it was a local measure and
because it had the sanction of both the
democracy of Shelby county aud the
people thereof. Editor Ewing put the
case very tersely and pointedly in two
strong editorials, and Memphis is there
fore that much in his debt.
Speculation is rife about the political
future of Senator Carmack. 1t is pref
ty generally conceded that as matter
of policy he has made mistake in try
ing to impose his own will on Memphis
in preference to the will of the people
and of the democratic party A period
of quiescence after his retirement from
the senate would have been the wiser
course. But he comes from Washing
ton to engage in fight that could have
had nothing but political Importance,
and his coterie have been decisively de
feated. 1t is small defeat apparently
but succession of small defeats will il
the end amount to big defeat. II the
senator had accepted gracefully the
election of Gov. Patterson and Senator
Taylor, and had offered them his, cor
dial support as a democrat, he coulo
probably be elected governor at the
, expiration of Patterson's second term
Two terms as governor might have
, paved the way for his return to the
senate, and his absteution from petty
local contests would have made his
stay in the senate doubtless per manent
But the senator somehow seems to love
the tumult and the shouting, and it il
rumored that he is thinking of being 6
J candidate for governor against Pattel
son two years from now. This, il
strikes me, would be taxing unduly the
patience of his friends, and would pre-
cipitate another internecine fight in the
party.
l can not but consider the passage OF
the charter bill as a matter of great
Importance to the future welfare OF
Memphis. l have looked into the
amended charter carefully and compar-
ed it with the charter of Houston. To
say that it creates five oligarchs and is
framed in the interest of vice and i'm
morality is q gratuitous piece of non
sense. There is only one possible dan
ger, and that lies in the character OF
the appointments the governor makes.
It is conceded that he will appoint Mr..
Williams and Mr.. Walsh, and it il
thought that the remaining three COM
missioners will be practical men in
whom the people of Memphis have ev
cry confidence. If he does this, will
venture to say that the commission
form of government will be found sc
popular that Nashville will adopt it al
the earliest possible moment. Many
thoughtful people here are already
thinking very favorably of it.
The Memphis government now is {
cumbersome and wasteful affair. Will
our bi-cameral council, al anemoment
er is badly needed to keep tab on the
airspring windbag and the chap who
has never been blessed with an imped
iment in his speech. Under the new
form, the human pianola will have bu
small opportunity to air his large ant
lusty lung. Memphis is today practi
cally run by the five fire aud police
commissioners. Three of the board car
of course control it. The board of pub
lie works is q superhous body that su b.
serves no purpose except to add to the
general confusion. The new commits
sion of five ought to promote and expe
dite the business of the city, and it will
have tendency to put quietus on 10.
cal fractional fights. | venture to pre-
dict that new era of progress Is about
to dawn for Memphis, conditional OF
course upon the governors appointing
the right kind of men.
II is true that some very good men
will be put ont of Office by this bill, but
I do not consider that this is rehec-
ton on them. Tt resolved itself into a
Il