The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1908-04-09
The N ews .Banne


The following is taken from last
weeks Obion Democrat: "It has been
the custom in this state to allow the
governor two terms, that is, endorsing
his administration by electiDg him to
the Office for the second term" The
Democrat might have said that it was
the almost universal custom in this
state, and in this county especially, to
allow a member of congress second
term, and to allow county officers to
have the office twice in succession.
Take the members OF congress from
this district and it has been the rule of
fairness to allow all of them two terms
in office. That has been the almost
universal rule in the matter of eur
county officers, and the same is true
with respect to our state senator's and
representatives in the Legislature. When
man Is once elected to these offices,
our people have always conceded him
the right to another term. 1t has al
ways been regarded as just, fair and
right by our people to give an Office
holder a second term. This rule has
prevailed from president down to the
smallest office in the state and has been
varied from in Tennessee but twice in
regard to the Office of governor; once,
when Gov. Marks refused to be can
didate for the second term and next,
when Gov. Buchanan was defeated by
Judge Turney, and in this race the
former WAS not a candidate for the
nomination, but made an independent
race against Judge Turney and was de-
feated.
Now after this rule or custom has
been 30 universally followed in this
state in respect to all state and county
officers, why should an exception be
made against Gov. Patterson? Why is
not Mr.. Patterson entitled to second
term? What has he done, while in Of
fee. that he should be deprived of the
right to an endorsement and an election
for second term9 Why turn him
down at the end of his first term just tC
put in office another who does not care
for the office of governor, except as 6
stepping stone to the office of United
States senator? Has not Patterson
made good governor? Name one who
has made better governor, or one who
has given the duties of the office more
thought and attention than he has. II
he not democrat, and has he not ai
ways been such? Has he not carrie1
out the platform pledges on which h'
was elected? Has not all his appoint
ments been of men we'll fitted and quail
fled for the duties of the places Il
which they were appointed?
Find single one of his appointment
to any office which should nos hav
been made Take his late appointment
= of Judge Bell as q member Of the su
preme court and you can not pick fiay
in it. Judge Bell was his friend befor
the appointment. He was an activ
J church working member of the Metho
dist and had often been member G
its general conference, taking leadin
part in all its work. There were sever
al applicants for this place, one of whor
r. was said to be in sympathy with th
whiskey men OF the state. For Chi
- reason he was turned down. Anothe
one of the applicants for this positio
was understood to be in favor of th
union between the Presbyterian churc
U. s. A. and the O. P. church. Th
man was also turned down and the al
, pointment given to Judge Bell, and
the Loyal Cumberland Presby byteriar
win in their suit lately tried in the 81
preme court at Nashville they will ov
Y their victory to Judge Bell and to Go
Patterson, who appointed him. Shoul
not these loyalists all over the countr,
- and in fact all over the state, rally
IN the support of Mr.. Patterson?
Now find q single fault with any
Mr.. Patterson's official acts. Has the
been one single breath OF scandal abo'
his administration? Has it not bee
Il honest, open and above board? The
why turn him down and refuse to allo
him the endorsement of o second tern
y What has he done or omitted to do
deserve this at the hands of this par
r which he has faithfully served all b
life? l can not believe that the demo
racy of Tennessee will turn out of off
: faithful servant just to let in anoth
man who wants to use this Office to &
better one. The people of this con
try are honest and fair minded al
want to do what is right about Go
Patterson and they are not going to l
IS. fuse him this endorsement which th
coneede aud allow sll other oIlicehol
ers. But it is said he pardons too mai
convicts. Do you know that he has n
mt pardoned any more than his predecC
Is sors. All governors use this pardoni
power freely-perhaps too freely-b
:. Patterson has not done so any mo
than his predecessors in Office ha
done. This was the great objection