The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1908-07-16
How Jno. |. Cox Viewed
the Situation
WHEN CARMACK ENTERED
This Interview a Curiosity
in View of Recent
Happenings,
From the Bristol Herald-Courer the day fol-
lowing CarmaCks announcement for
governor in 1907


governor IN 1907.
Former Gov. John l. Cox thinks that
former Senator Edward Ward Carmack,
who has announced that he will be a
candidate for the governorship at the
next election, will win the coveted hon
or easily. After having noted a strong
sentiment in East Tennessee for the
Memphian, Mr.. Cox spoke of the sig
niicance of the Carmack announcement
as follows, when seen by a Herald
Courier reporter:
II am not surprised at the announce
meAt; the demand was SO overwhelming
it could not be resisted.
"No man ever became a candidate
under more favorable auspices, and he
who can not see the result is not wise.
"It is evident that Mr.. Carmack, af-
ter his defeat for the senate, desired to
engage in private enterprise that would
have been congenial and profitable. He
did not want to appear as an officeseek-
er, but he has unwillingly yielded to
the demands of the people who have
honored him."
"What do you think of the reported
agreement between Mr.. Carmack and
Senator Taylor?" was asked.
81 am of the opinion" replied the
ex-governor, "that the smart newspa-
per boys saw the inevitable and became
prophetic. A few months since Car
mack and Taylor were facing each other
with backs bowed and bristles up, ready
for another fight. The people put their
hands on them, rubbed them the right
way, and said; 'Oh, no; you do not
want to fight again; we want you to
make friends. And like good, dutiful
, sons, they are sure to harken to the
voices of the people.
"It may seem strange bedfellows,
but not more strange than convenient,
and when they are nested down side
by side in their warm bed, they will
feel even more comfortable than they
were made to appear in a recent car
toon of the Knoxville journal and Tri-
bune.
"No one need not hunt for the wise
man who is bringing about an under
standing between these two favorite sons
of democracy; the people are attending
to this, and if they did not, it is so nat
ural and desirable that it would adjust
itself. The voice of the people, ever
dear to both of them, has been heard
to say: we have mapped out future
fur you, our beloved sons, that will put
you both in the United States senate
and keep you there during your natural
lives without another conflict between
you. And it is to be expected that they
will accept the map with thanks"
eff there should be an understanding
between Taylor and Carmack, and some
people should complain, Senator Taylor
! could answer by saying, 4 have only
done what you have been trying to dt
,, for four months, but your offers wer,
spurned.' The people did not defea
Carmack for the senate because they
loved him less, but because they loveC
Taylor more.
. Continuing, exGov. Cox said: "Mr
Carmack will make the people goo,
. governor. He will have no enemies t.
punish; no pet to favor. He will no
promise the people things he can no
} do, nor make pledges to be broken
: The office will belong to the people
! He will not treat East Tennessee as
. conquered province or as an allie
country"
"What mode of making the nomina
: tion for governor will the party adopt?
! asked the reporter.
: "Fhe people will demand state pri
! mary, and if this is denied, they wi
Z proceed through the county democrat
! organizations to hold primary election
J in the various counties. The democrs
: cy will not again send its delegates to
\ state convention to be overrun aud in
z timidated by thugs and toughs frol
\ Memphis.
J "Will you support Mr.. Carmack fo
; governor" was the next question.
J Without hesitation the ex governe
: replied:
= 81 could not refuse to do so and r,
z tain the confidence and respect of m
people. shall take no active part i
] the contest.
= Best the World Affords.