The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1908-04-16
SPLIT SURE IN (ARNA(K RANKS
Memphis Correspondent Of Nashville Ameri-
can Gives Outline Of Attitude of Car
macks Friends in West Tennessee
Statewide Declaration Will
Prove Stumbling
Block
PROHIBITION THE CAUSE


Especial Correspondence Nashville American i
Memphis, Tenn, April 9.-The an
nouncement of the dates of the opening
OF the joint debates between the csndi'
dates for governor is sadly disappoint-
ing to Memphians and West Tennessee
ans generally, who are in the dumps
because they feel satisfied that they
will never have the pleasure of seeing
the contending candidates measure
swords. Both the candidates are we'll
known here and the knowing ones are
figuring that no joint debate will be
held in West Tennessee or in Middle
Tennessee and but few in East Tennes-
see. Carmack, it is expected, will fly
the coop after few rounds,
This opinion is based on the knowl-
edge that the ex-senator is not equipped
by nature or training to meet the gov
ernor in forensic conflict. He has not
had the practice, and while he is some
what opulent in verbal extravaganza
and an adept in the rhetoric of invec-
tive, he is defective in those rapier
thrusts of logic that penetrate the I'M
derstanding of multitudes and carry
conviction.
If the debate becomes acrimonious,
as is probable, Carmack will have some
advantage, because he is at home han
ding q domestic weapon when handy
ing the coarser- -fbered epithet. How
ever, there is no reason to apprehend
that he will have his own way, or that
he will be permitted to exercise his pc
culiar talent without a summary and
vigorous call down. The governor is
no stranger to acrimonious debate and
, he always gives good account of him.
} SELF
AN AWKWARD ISSUE.
Senator Carmack's declaration in fa-
= vor Of statewide prohibition precipi-
+ tates an awkward issue to some of his
, friends. Hitherto he and they have
been in favor Of exempting the large
: cities and his sudden change of posi-
0 ton. almost took their breath away.
: Carmack's organ here had not word
8 about it and printed the interview only
o after it had appeared in the Commercial
8 Appeal and then in an inconspicuous
q manner and without editorial comment.
g The fact is that this radical reversal
:, of form has left the ex-senator's most
n enthusiastic friends marooned and they
o are trying to minimize and forget it,
?. It is quite we'll understood that the for
NAL declaration was cry Of pain utter
y ed when the thumbscrews we're tight
O ened beyond endurance by the politica
a. prohibitionists and it was intended onl.
:. for domestic use among the leader
q who hold the purse strings and VIII
a were becoming importunate and de
n. manding positive declaration.
o. Hence many Of Mr.. Carmack's friend
n can not come out in favor of prohibl
ton without stultifying themselves an
=. going back on their former pledges an
at declarations. The more pertinaciou
Il. among them cling to the old ,sloga
ba about the great wrong done by th
"a. state executive and they are letting
be known that they have a campaig
fund Of $3.50, 900 contributed by outsid
brewers and distillers who would sc
- to Tennessee, in the event of prohib
tion in this state, the soft drink peop
~ ~ and the patent medicine people, t
" gether with the dimes and nickels CO.
~ tributed by the good ladies OF the ter
W ~ perance societies. This exposition
10 ~: real money is intended to excite Il
~ cupidity of those very competent ge
= tIemen who are 30 effective about Il
-'0 " polls and who are patriotic enough
wy wy vote for and support any one who pu
~ considerable monetary premium
e their services. This element, howevt
1.a is dwindling.
,o,. WHOLE HOG OR NONE.
DDS The sincere prohibitionists who q
- supporting Carmack- many of thu
look upon his leadership as joke a
will support Patterson-those amo
them who are supporting Carmack