Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-06-30

ernor OF Tennessee was robert Love |
Taylor, now in the United States SEN
ate. Governor Bob" appointed Mr.
Turey to fill out the unexpired term
of Senator Harris. That was in the |
summer of 1891. Two or three years |
before that date there was an issue in
Tennessee which should be borne in
mind in connection with Law Partner |
Turkeys appointment to the senate in
estimating the causes which operated !
to make Mr.. Wright a fayorite with |
the Republican administration.
A "Sky Blue"
Shortly after the civil war, when
Tennessee had a legislature composed
largely of negroes, a considerable debt
was saddled upon the state by the vot-
ing of certain railroad bonds. Thirty
wears later this bonded debt became
an issue that almost split the state in
twain for time. There was a large
faction which held that, inasmuch as
the bonds were voted by an illiterate
and corrupt legislature when most of
the white citizens were dfsfranchised
and whereas 80 cents on the dollar
was about as much as the bonds cost
the railroads, so cents was enough to
pay. The other faction commended that
the bonds should be paid dollar for
dollar. The people to whom the bonds
looked like 80 cents were called Regu-
lars. The dollar for dollar folks were
known as Sky Blues. Luke Wright
was a Sky Blue.
After fight in which blood was shed
and the Democratic party was split
open from Memphis to Murfreesboro
and beyond the Regulars won, the
compromise plan was adopted, and the
Sky Blues faded out of the armament.
Then along came the campaign of
| 1896 Bryan and free silver were in
| the saddle. The former Sky Blues used
| the reputation scheme and victory of
the Regulars as ground for boiling the
national Democratic ticket. Mr.. Wright
and others became Gold Democrats
and supported Palmer and Buckner.
Mckinley became president the next
, March In July Mr.. Turley was ap-
pointed senator Another year and the
| Philippine Islands came into American
| possession. When the Philippine COM
mission was to be created, the presi-
dent looked about him for a suitable
man to appoint as the southern mem
Der thereof. Senator Turley was in
| favor with the administration. He
limited that his law partner, Luke
| Wright, was an available man. The
administration rather liked the Sky
Blues of Tennessee for their aid in de-
feating the Democratic ticket in 1856.
This service was not forgotten. Mr..
Wright accordingly was appointed on
the Philippine commission. of which
another man comparatively new TO
national politics. Judge William H
Taft of Cincinnati, was chairman.
So that, in brief. is the story of Mr.
Wright's springing up into national
Importance. For the rest, it was VI
to Wright, and Wright made good
He had been capable lawyer in Ten
nessee In the Philippines his frst
, duties were in connection with the
legal aspect of the islands. He render
ed high service in untangling a maze
of local and international compiled
tons which would have taxed the pa
| tience of demigod. He was so use
: full that new Office, that of vice gov
ernor, was created for him. WheI
: Governor Taft went to the Vatican t.
adjust the differences concerning TIL
friars' lands Wright served as actin!
l governor of the islands for severa
months.
5 Early in 1904 Governor Taft wa
called to the war department. Lux
5 Wright succeeded him as governor
. but with even n higher title than MI
Taft had enjoyed. Mr.. Wright be
t came governor general of the Philip
pines, being the first man to hold tina
[ | SitIa