The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1909-03-16
IN THE SA4IE CLASS
WITH SPOILERS OF THE HOME.

lie measures?
There have been two opinions e*-
during the past week, one py
the attorneys for the Coopers VINO
killed Carmack, and one by Judge
Caxnor of the New York Supreme
Court.
According to the lawyers for the
ooper an editor has no right 10
criticize the public acts OF a cltizen
who is a power in politics. Col.
Cooper was known to be q political
mower in Tennessee. He had been
the leader in Patterson's successful
campaign. After that campaign was
ended. the battle royal came on N
Tennessee to determine whether the
will Of the people for State prohibition
sbould be carried out. Patterson and
Cooper sought to preven State pro-
hibition; Editor Carmack sought 70
secure such a law. Patterson. an OPP
ponent Of State prohibition. had been
nominated (by the grace Of cooper
and money furnished by the whisky
tTlSlj loI ~ ! ih1'
elected. At the same election q ma
iority to the Legislature lodged to
State prohibition had been chosen.
The task Of inducing enou9h OF these
legislators to Freak their pledges was
undertaken. Cooper secured A-GoN
ernor Cox. q former enemy Of Patter-
terson. to break his pledge.
saw that il Cooper could continue tlat
sort of work under cover the cause
Of State prohibition might be defeat
ed. AS q high public duty he there
fore sharply called public attention
10 the role Cooper was playing. Light
would make Cooper an Othe1lo with
out occupation. He was the sort OF
political manipulation. too, who worked
along lines that preferred the shad-
| oWs. Carrnack's publicity you'd cause
his work to fail. Therefore he let it
be known that Carmack must not
. print his name in his paper under the
threat that one OF them must die.
Carnlack could no more rave Waged
war az the attempt Of the liquor for
80 - $500 A.-@ -ItA-N ~ 49,
, without showing Cooper's part in the
fight thar one could play Hamlet
without the character Of Hamlet.
And 50 he continued to use the name
Of Cooper in q prope and legitimate
way. If he a let II cause hin to de-
unfit TO lead a great movement. Now.
mind You, Carmack never printed a
line about Cooper. the man, though
after Cooper undertook TO manage
public matters the sins that came out
in the trial would have. been legitimate.
The. man who assumes to direct the
public, either in public or to pull the
strings in private. invites public criti-
cism. n he challenges public discus
sion as to whether he is a fit man to
lead. If he has been an embezzler in
public Office. there is no reason why
1t should not be made public. If he
has been a gambler. it is a legitimate
matter for editorial criticism. But
Car1nack never referred even inferen-
TALLY to these sins charged against
Cooper in the trial. He confined him
self wholly to his action in trying to
induce Legislators to violate their
pledge and to oppose State prohibi-
ton. He accompanied his criticism
with sarcastic reference and with
ridicule. but nothing more. Cooper
demanded thai his name be not used
in public though he was trying to COR
troll in q public measure. He was as
much a public man as if he held pub
lie office. Political manipulatocs and
lobbyists are always opposed to. pub
licity. For that Very reason the hon
est editor must print their doings and
compel them to accept responsibility
Tor their acts with reference to pub
lie measures.