The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1908-12-31
PAUL E. DIVINE
OUT FOR JUDGE
TYLER WILL NOT RUN.
Bristol Politician Spends Night IN
Chattanooga and Talks to Re-
porter of Politics Up Here.

A well-known republican politician
Of Bristol was at the Read House last
night, returning from Nashville, and
when seen by Chattanooga N9ws re-
porter, said it seemed that Major Paul
+. Divine, candidate for judge in the
First judicial circuit, would have easy
sailing, as the rumor around Greene
vile is that neither Gen. Dana Harmon
or Judge A. j. Tyler will be candidates.
The gentleman from Bristol knowing
so much about the situation says:
"There seems to have been a sudden
turn in the political status of the First
judicial circuit in the past few days,
destined to have a far-reaching effect
in the settlement of many political
questions coming up in the near fu-
ture. A report comes from Greeneville,
based on no less an authority than the
statement of the close political and
personal friend of Gen. Harmon, in
fact, the gentleman who managed his
campaign six years ago against Judge
Tyler, to the effect that neither Judge
Tyler or Gen. Harmon will be candi-
dates to succeed themselves as attorney
general and circuit judge. This report
is confirmed from several quarters and
is now fast becoming the generally ac-
cepted condition of affairs.
"The determination on the part of
Judge Tyler and Gen. Harmon not to
enter the field of judicial politics will
be welcomed by the republicans of the
First judicial circuit, because it pre-
sages peace and promise of harmony
in their ranks. Their fight six years
ago was bitter and personal beyond
anything our people had ever known,
and inflicted wounds which festered
and refused to heal. So, then, their
voluntary determination not to enter
the field will have wonderful intu-
ence for peace and good will, eliminat-
ing in large measure the bitterness
and antagonisms of the past. And
coming to the effect it will have, it is
conceded that it practically insures the
nomination of Maj. Paul +. Divine for
circuit judge without opposition, and
will materially narrow the field in the
race for Encouragement, as well as
robbing the entire campaign of faction
alism and bitterness.
Judge Tyler and Gen. Harmon are
to be congratulated upon their determi-
nation not to run, for it displays on
their part good Judgment and sound
discretion, as well as regard for the
welfare of their party and its peace and
harmony, 1t is useless to conceal the
fact that Maj, Divine is popular mar
with the people and one of the strong
est campaigners in upper East Tennes
see. He never fails to take the stumI
in answer to the call of the people anC
his party. In addition to this, no on,
who is at all advised doubts his ability
to make splendid judge. And so, al
t these things considered, augmented by
e the fact that there is an unbroken pre-
q cedent in the First. judicial circuit tina
, no man has ever yet been circuit judg,
but one term, Maj. Divine would have
! developed great strength as agains
Judge Tyler or anyone else.
1t may be said also in Maj. Divine'
favor that he is young man, and al
/, reforms and beneficial innovations
have always been inaugurated by new
q er blood and younger men. All in all
. the practical settlement Of what ha
, loomed up as sharp contest for tn,
future is gratifying. With this settle
ment, so near the actual opening of tn,
!. campaign, it is practically certain tina
the republicans of all factions will ac