The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1908-01-09
Tho Governors Silence.

We are not advised as to Gov. Pat
terson's views concerning q general
primary for the nomination Of Gov.
ernor. His preference in this matter
might affect the decision of the state
executive committe, and again, it
might have no influence whatever with
that body.
1t may be the governor remains
quiet upon this question for the espe-
Clal purpose Of allowing the executive
committee to determine the matter alb.
Solutely free from any sort of influence
on his part. 1t is natural to suppose
that the committee would be inclined
to adopt q suggestion from the COVER
ernor, even though it might not just
exactly what the members, as repre-
sentatives of the Democrats of the
state might believe to be to the best
interest Of the party under present con-
ditions. Should the governor parade
his preference over the state, garnish'
ing 1t with demagogic complaints and
appeals that have been conspieuously
present with the demands of his COM
petitor, there can be little doubt that
he would be accused of using his Off.
ciAl position to shape the action OF the
committee. By maintaining silence,
he may be and is accused of opposing
the desires of Mr.. Carmack; but most
certainly this silence can not, in rea-
son, be called an undue influence upon
the deliberations Of the committee.
On the contrary, it strikes us that the
governors silence is assurance from
him that the committee will act as il
sees ft; for the good of the party as
the committee sees it, and not to the
advantage of any mere candidate.
The executive committee has the
prerogative of naming the method Of
nomination. Candidates, at times,
have been asked for their preferences.
At other times they have not been con
suited. The governor, per Sc, has
nothing to do with this business, and
Is long as the committee has not asked
his help in the matter he does we'll tC
let the committee alone.
II may be, though, that the persist
ent, even threatening demands Of hi
opponent will necessitate some sort o.
action on his part; for his silence over
. matter which the party has consigned
to the wisdom Of the executive com
mitEee has already been garbled ant
contorted by some Of the supporters o
che candidate who has "butted in" OF
this business.
'Gov. Patterson is afraid Of pH
mary"
"Gov. Patterson knows that pr
mary would bring him face to fact
with Senator Carmack on the stump
and would avoid the encounter"
.Gov. Patterson wants to trick thu
people"
These and other accusations equally
unjust, far fetched and unfair are lait
at the governors door, because, for
sooth, he is attending TO his own du
ties and not meddling with the dutie
Of others.
Rejecting Democrats will see tn
dsmagogy in these attacks, and tn,
conservative dignity that has thus fs
kept the governor silent. Contrasting
ais conduct with that OF his opponen
leaves the honors clearly with him
he has not sought, with mandator!
letters and blatant appeals. to infu
unce the action Of the committee
While bis competitor has cnce agaiI
shown to the slate that, unless be Gel
dietate every act Of the party, he j
quite ready to scOId and abuse the par
ty's machinery; to fret and fume, an
threaten party trustees with specie
d rabble rebellion, wherein is mixe'
The HoreheAd, the mugwump, The In
dependent. the Republican and som