The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1907-09-12
NO SNAP ACTION.

A Memphis paper, hostile to Gov.
Patterson, contains local item to the
,ffect that primaries are soon TO be
leld to instruct for Governor. It says;
Within the next few weeks several
will hold their primaries, and
It is understood to be the plan OF the
Patterson men to secure as early in
structions in his behalf as possible.
They figure that John /. Cox secured
that advantage last fall, and realizing
it to be one worth much in deciding |
counties inclined TO go with the win.
ner, will work it for ell it is worth.
This sort Of Misrepresentation and
nonsense is characteristic Of the more
reckless Of the enemies of the Demo-
cratic Governor Of the State. Behold
how plain q tale shall mark it down.
No counties will hold primaries within
the next few weeks to instruct for
Governor-and il any were to be held
nobody should pay any attention to
them. Although disapproving it, The
American was slower than it should
have been in cOndemning that sort OF
thing nearly two years ago when an
effort was being made to secure the
nomination for the then incumbent
office Of Governor. II would be more
prompt in doing so now. It is not
understood" by anybody to be "the
plan OF the Patterson men to secure
as early instructions in his behalf as
possible" Nobody Of intelligence
Figures that John I. Cox secured that
advantage last fall" or any other fall.
The only instructions "last fall" were
given by the people OF the ballot boz
in November.
The campaign for the nomination for
Governor, which began nearly two
years ago and continued until last
June, was an experience in unneces
sariIy long and wearisome campaigni
which the Democrats Of Tennessee dc
not care to have repeated. The tactics
of the then Governor, referred to in the
above quotation, availed him little, anG
did much to create dissatisfaction and
resentment in the Democratic party
It was ct least an error Of Judgment OF
his part, but the practice Of beginning
campaigns, even for county and
municipal Offices, year before thu
; nominations, had been growing unit
! it had reached the height Of absurdity
The Senatorial race was another Ions
and wearisome contest. We trust vi
shall have no more such, for any office
, in Tennessee.
! Governor Patterson is opposed to an!
early conventions or primaries for gov
, ernor. No friend Of his will seek t.
have such convention or primary. Thi
. is 19O7-not 1908. The race for cover
nor is open to any man who desires t.
J enter it. Governor Patterson will no
, seek to take snap judgment agains
l any man who may desire to becom'
0 his opponent. He does not desire
4 single county to act with undue O
, unseemly haste or with view to gain
Q ing advantage over any candidate
I active or prospective. II any candi
Q date should appear demanding a join
!. canvass we think we can safely sa,
r that il will be accorded him and that
q fair opportunity to make Q canvass vii
o be afforded. The man in the Cover
Q nor's Office has demonstrated that he
under no necessity Of employing
proxy to make his speeches for him o
to meet any man that may or can b
l. sent against him. When candidat
D for the nomination he invited his com
:. petitor to debate. and as the demo
n cratic nominee he challenged his reput
:. lican opponent 10 joint canvass. ]
n himself challenged we feel sure ne wi
meet any competitor. But the tim
for that is next year.
This is en- off year. Let us hav
l. quiet and rest and peace. Next yes
II will be one of great POLITICAL activit
& and contention. Sufficient unto th
J, day is the evil thereof" Let's nc
d anticipate the strife and turmoil. N
n unduly early campaign; no prematur
't canvass; no snap conventions or pr
II maries, but q square deal for every
= body. Any other policy The Amer
r can will oppose with such vigor as
b may be able to command. -Nashvill
!. American.