The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1908-01-17

1t ia true that Gov. Patterson has
given no public expression to his
views: but this silence is itself almost
conclusive. He has said that he has
given no thought to the subject" 1t
is strange that the Governor, who has
been giving a great deal of thought
and a great deal of activity to other
aspects of his campaign, and who has
been In frequent conference with his
lieutenants and political managers
from every part OF the state. should
have given no thought to a question
which is the subject Of most heated
controversy through the newspapers
and with respect to which his most
confidential friends are expressing
very positive and decided opinions.
He has made guarded reference to
his record" This might seem sig
riAcant II We did not know that the
Governors friends are openly claim
ing that the fake delegated primary
being urged By the American VIII be
satisfactory response to the popular
demand and entirely consistent with
the record" to which the Governor
refers. 1t ia a notorious fact that the
Governors most confidential friends
are raging bitterly against the pri-
mary movement
Attitude of Governors Friends.
His two chief organs. the Nashville
American and the Memphis CONNER
cial Appeal. have almost taken leave
of their senses In the fury of their
oppositions. The Dover Courier,
owned BY Mr.. w. NJ. Brandon, who is
slated to be the Governors campaign
| manager and one of his chief liecten'
ants. is out in long and labored edi-
torial TO show that the primary sys'
tenn is a wicked device OF the wills
| XIV ring" Among the few weekly pa
pers who oppose the primary the op'
position is led by member of the
| Governors Staff In East Tennessee
and by another member of his stan
In Middle Tennessee. Prominent OF
fcials about the Capital who are IN
constant and daily association VIII
him have expressed themselves In op
pogition to it in the strongest terms
His private secretary has repeatedly
done the same. These have not only
declared their opposition to- pri
mary, but have confidently asserted
that there would be none. NO mar
Of common sense believes that these
organs and lieutenants of the Gov
ernor have no knowledge of his per
sonaI views on the subject, or tha'
thew would be thus denouncing pol
lev which the Governor approves
And. finally, to remove all doubt
comes the Nashville American witt
the claim that 1t is authorized u
speak the Governors views in VIVA
II says on this subject. If the Cover
nor we're standing firm and unmoved II
the position he held in 1906 he Ger
tainly would not keep that fact iron
the knowledge of his most intimate
friends and confidential advisers. TIT
Governor himself, habitually speak
disparagingly of the primary move
ment. and asserts his belief that Their
Ia no popular demand for direct pr
mary.
It is therefore plain that the GOV
nor himself is opposed to primar
and It remains for the people to COZ
vince him that he will invite destruc
|. ton by defeating their demand. HOY
far he has been deceived by the ciair
that there is no popular sentiment Dc
> hind the demand for primary q
not know. l do know that man @
his intelligence could not be cor
|. WINGED by the shallow arguments oil
posed to It., His present oppositio
can only proceed from the belief tina
= bis personal interests would be be
ter served by convention. 1.-THE pr
mary places the power of selection
tho hands of the people" but his II
teres;s demand that this power sha
be placed elsewhere. ~ Will go
: iorg way to putting IN end to corrul
M.
zion N elections but in Gov "a
,crs.u's present predlcau.ent this n
lorrer seems a desirable end
,tuld make party strife a thing {
~ asst" hut via: good would th'
!. 90 4 It should AFRO make Gov Pa
! tersca . thing os tae ,RsstfIs
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