The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1909-10-22
FRIDAYS Daily)

Sensational deVe' pments, the hlnu
that thrill and electrify, have taken
place in municipal politics since the
sun sank to rest in a bed of clouds
on yesterday evening.
John Latta has Withdrawn form the
mayoralty race, and Esquire Robert
H. Guest has taken his place at the
head of the Law Enforcement ticket.
There are oDw but two tickets in
the field, and they stand as follows:
For Mayor-Robert H. Guest. For
AIdermen-R. S. McCarty, DR.. o. j.
Porter, First Ward; w. C. AydeIott,
J. A. McAlister, Second Ward;
George Hayes, c. D. Park, Third
Ward.
For Mayor-Dr. w. M. BiddIe. For
AIdermen-J. M. Dedman, w. o. Cher
ny, First Ward; Frank Swansbure,
E. Yoest, Second Ward; w. T. Chaffin,
Joe Anderson, Third Ward.
At a called meeting of relatives and
friends held late yesterday afternoon
Mr.. Latta stated that the condition of
his wife's health would force him to
retire from the race AS is well
known, Mrs Latta has been critically
i'll for some time, and at the confer
ence yesterday her physicians author
lied the statement that the end was
near. In fact, it is not believed that
10 EIo nf ant
campaign. This was the sole reason
that inspired Mr.. Latta's withdrawal,
as no other reason would have been
accepted by his supporters, who have
fought for him nobly, and who be-
lieved that his election would have
been to the best interest of the city.
While there will perhaps be some
captious critics who will hint that a
deal has been put on between Mr..
Guest and Mr.. Latta, this story is
knocked in the head by Mr.. Latta's
statement in today's Herald, in which
he declares that he will accept no
office within the gift of the administra-
ton, regardless of who is elected.
This morning a joint meeting of the
aldermanic candidates on the Law En-
forcement ticket, and Esquire Guest
was held in the office of ]. G. Voor-
HES, chairman of the campaign COM
mittee. The meeting was enthusiast
tic in the extreme, Mr. Guest readily
agreeing to head the ticket, and the
aldermanic candidates agreeing to
give him their full support.
Following this meeting Esq Guest
gave out a statement in which he
clearly defined his attitude, promising
to enforce the law without fear or
favor, to give his entire time to the
discharge of the duties of the position
of mayor, and to conduct his admins
tration along business lines.
Since it became known last night
that Mr.. Latta had withdrawn from
the race tie public has been agog
with excitement. There have been
rumors prevalent, and much specula-
ito mas to the effect that Mr. Latta's
withdrawal will have upon the desti-
MES of the remaining candidates. DR..
Biddle would make no statement to-
day, but it was evident that his sup
porters feel that their chance of sue
cess is still bright. There was visible
citation in those quarters where the
Biddle supporters are wont to gather,
and many claims of coming victory
were voiced. On the other hand, 1t
was evident that the Guest partisans
were also elated, and that they, too,
are shifting victory. Many Latta ad-
herents were stating openly that they
would vote for Guest, and 1t was easy
to see that most of the Law Enforce
ment vote would go to Guest. How
ever, q portion of the Latta strength
will switch to Biddle-but small
portion.
With the race less than two weeks
off, with two strong tickets in the
field, and with every nerve being
strained, the fair city of Columbia is
certainly in the throes of the most
strenuous campaign known in her re-
cent history. Every vote will be
brought out, and It will remain for the
counting Of the ballots to determine
the result.