Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1908-07-11

ernor of Tennessee was Robert Love
Taylor, now in the United States SEN
ate. Governor Bob" appointed Mr..
Turley to fill out the unexpired term
of Senator Harris That was in the
summer of 1897. Two or three years
before that date there was an issue in
Tennessee which should be borne In
mind in connection with Law Partner
Turkeys appointment to the senate in
estimating the causes which operated
to make Mr.. Wright a favorite with
| the Republican administration.
A "Sky Blue"
Shortly after the civil war, when
Tennessee had a Legislature composed
largely of negroes, considerable debt
was saddled upon the state by the vot-
ing of certain railroad bonds. Thirty
years later this bonded debt became
an issue that almost split the state in
twain for a time. There was a large
faction which held that, inasmuch as
the bonds were voted by an illiterate
and corrupt legislature when most Of
the white citizens were diSfranchised
and whereas 80 cents on the dollar
was about as much as the bonds cost
the railroads, 80 cents was enough to
pay. The other faction contended that
the bonds should be paid dollar for
dollar The people to whom the bonds
looked like 80 cents were called Regu-
lars. The dollar for dollar folks were
known as Sky Blues. Luke Wright
was a Sky Blue.
After fight in which blood was shed
and the Democratic party was split
open from Memphis to Murfreesboro
and beyond the Regulars won, the
compromise plan was adopted, and the
Sky Blues faded out of the armament
Then along came the campaign of
1896. Bryan and free silver were in
the saddle: The former Sky Blues used
the Reputation scheme and victory of
the Regulars as ground for boiling the
national Democratic ticket. Mr.. Wright
and others became Gold Democrats
and supported Palmer and Buckner.
Mckinley became president the next
March. In July Mr.. Turley was APP
pointed senator Another year and the
Philippine Islands came into American
possession. When the Philippine COM
mission was to be created. the presi-
dent looked about him for suitable
man to appoint as the southern mem
Der thereof Senator Turley was in
favor with the administration. He
limited that his law partner, Luke
Wright. was an available man. The
administration rather liked the Sky
Blues of Tennessee for their aid in de-
feating the Democratic ticket in 1896.
This service was not forgotten. Mr..
Wright accordingly was appointed on
the Philippine commission, of which
another man comparatively new to
national politics, Judge William 81.
Taft of Cincinnati, was chairman.
So that, in brief, is the story Of Mr..
Wright's springing up into national
Importance For the rest, It was up
to Wright, and Wright made good.
He had been a capable lawyer in Ten
nessee. In the Philippines his first
duties were in connection with the
legal aspect Of the islands. He render
ed high service in untangling maze
of local and international complied
tons which would have taxed the pa
tience of a demigod He was so use
full that a new Office, that of vice gov
ernor, was created for him. When
Governor Taft went to the Vatican to
adjust the differences concerning the
friars lands Wright served as acting
governor Of the islands for several
months.
Early in 1904 Governor Taft was
called to the war department Luke
Wright succeeded him as governor,
but with even higher title tran Mr.:
Taft had enjoyed. Mr.. Wright be-
came governor general Of the Philip
pines, being the first man TO- hold that
title.
Ambassador to Japan.