The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-06-29
HOW CARlNACK RODE TO
DEFEAT, NOT OFFICE
Seized Popular Issue That Wasn't as Popular as He
Thought and Governor He Had Ridiculed
Got the Votes.
ny G. a. BOYCE.

by C.. A. BOYCE.
American, politicians are prone to
seek out popular issues on which to
ride into public notice, but they fire.
squently risk and sometimes lose their
political fortunes in the exercise OF
their Judgment as to what issues are
popular.
Z There are some recent instances OF
this in States near Virginia, upon which
brief comment might not be untimely.
The most striking of all is that Of the
Tennessee gubernatorial contest, which
has Just ended in Victory for the In
scumbent. Governor Malcolm r. Patter-
son, over former United States SEN
Sator L. w. Carmack.
Carried Him to Defeat.
The prominence of senator Carmack.
who is man of national reputation,
and who was regarded as the most
brilliant DICTATOR in the upper branch
of the Federal Congress from the
South, would of itself be sufficient
warrant for more than passing refer
ence to his recent battle, but the main
issue which he injected into the cam
8paign, and which was probably the
cause of his recent reverses, at once
furnishes additional interest. He chose
State wide prohibition as his vehicle.
and it carried him to iSnominious de-
feat. In order to have a clear UNDER
standing OF the situation 1t Is neces-
sary to gd back a little. During the
second administration of President
Cleveland. the late Colonel Joseph
Patterson, distinguished lawyer and
Confederate veteran, the father Of the
present Governor, represented the
Memphis District in Congress. Colonel
Patterson was strong supporter of
the administration and took the gold
standard view Of the currency ques-
ton when the country went silver wild
In 1896.
Cormack was then editor of the
Memphis Commercial, and was violent
in his opposition to the gold STANDARD.
He entered the contest for Congress
against the old war hero. and was
chosen after bitter struggle He
served two terms and was promoted to
the Senate, ana in lNrn defeated for
recollection two years agosto that body
by former Governor Bob Taylor,
formerly known in Tennessee as "the
apostle OF sunshine"
Rise of Patterson.
Meanwhile young Patterson succeed
ed Carmack in the House of Repre-
4sentatives. where he served three
terms. Two years ago, John f. Cox,
a State Senator from East Tennessee
and perhaps the most astute machine
politician in the State, had succeeded
Ito the governorship through operation
of law, the then Governor James B.
Frazier having been sent to the United
States Senate. Cox was standing for
recollection. and hough he had all the
powerful machinery OF the adnlinistra-
hc6 Ind Is tn, Doy
forward and administered to him a
sound drubbing. IL
This year Patterson was standing
FOR reelection. and Carmack, desiring
1T is said. to keep in line for another
election to the Senate. to succeed
Frazier, declared himself candidate
for Governor in the primary. He and
and his friends We're at first almost
/ arrogant in their confidence, and
though apparently believing he could
easily unhorse the Governor in an.
event. he concluded that the qulckest
and best way to do the Job was to set
4 him on the stump. Therefore, Car.
mack issued a challenge for {. series
aof Joint debates extending through al
the principal cities and towns from
River.
y 4 -
To the surprise OF many, Governo,
Patterson cheerfully accepted. and ths
FONT campaign committees arrange,
alternating terms for fifty meetings
all OF which were faithfully held. Car
mack was known to be en- intellectual
giant; a man of wonderful powers o
sloquence, and a debater who mad bee,
) feared By the ablest leaders of III,
United States Senate. Therefore, Ii,
and his followers felt that lie woult
Gun over Patterson rough shod, ant
B many of the Governors supporter
Viewed the contest with feelings O
uneasiness, II not Of fear.
A prominent Virgin!an who has re
sided all his life on the border lin
Of Tennessee, and who served in Con
gress with both the candidates, toll,
the writer just as the contest was com
ing on. that Patterson was no mate
Tor Carmack; that the latter woul
tear the Governor to pieces on th
stump. and would defeat him easily q
the polls.
The first debate was at Chattsnoog
Starly in May. Carmack opened wit
severe arraignment az the Governor
administration. denouncing his libers
pardon record and assalling many othe
acts OF the executive In his rcpl
Governor Patterson showed that Cal
mack had at last met his match. II
defended his pardon record IN mar
ner so eloquent and touching that Il
throught his great audience 10 tear
ard then turning TO the Senator h
N said " ~ ~ haYen' rdpned enough Il