The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1909-08-19
PULSE FELT BY
THE AMERICAN
SENTIMENT OF COUNTIES
Practically Every One Favors Gov.
PatterSon-Reau E. Folk Fav-
orite of the State Widers

Nashville, Tenn, Aug. l4.-In IN
Producing its reports from correspon-
dents concerning gubernatorial senti-
ment in Tennessee in tomorrow's issue
the American will summarize the sit
uation as follows:
at is warm weather for political
thought, and it was hoped the state
would escape consideration of political
issues until cooler temperatures pre-
vailed. But the 'state-wlders' Jack
son conference started the pot to bub.
bling, and the Hon. jeff McCarn md
the Hon, Harvey Hannah, by their
formal announcements, added to The
sizzle. DESTROYS of securing, II possible,
the democratic and 0yer-democratiC
sentiment of the state with relation tC
the party's next nominee for governor,
the American recently addressed al
inquiry to its correspondents asking
an impartial, painstaking inquiry in
the various counties. Correspondents
were requested to set aside personal
preferences, ignore personal prejudices
and to get the news of the situation re
CARELESS of any candidates ambition OF
the choice of any especial faction.
1.-THE American wished to ascertain
for its readers the trend of democratic
opinion throughout Tennessee and wen
10 counties, through its correspondents
to get the situation ut present prevail
ing.
"lt appears that orthodox democracy
from Sullivan TO Shelby is for the re
nomination of Gov. Patterson, notwith
standing objection which has beer
urged in some quarters against thirC
term. Scarcely county is reported Il
the American but wherein the governo
has the first call by those who pre-
viously supported him. Many demo
Gratis express themselves as favorinI
him for senator or for governor, but tn
vast majority of his former follower
appear determined to insist upon hi
denomination for governor.
"Within the statewide and near
statewide ranks the favorite appear
TO be State Treasurer and Insuranc
Commissioner Reau +. Folk. The Can
didacy of Atty.-Gen. McCarn and Rail
road Commissioner Hannah does no
appear to have aroused great amour
of enthusiasm, although each of tn
gentlemen has some following in ever
section of the state.
at is evident that no one can as We
state with authority whether eithe
Gov Patterson or Treasurer Folk vii
become candidates. Neither gentlema
has made any formal announcement.
"Mr. Folks friends insist that h
will, in what he deems proper season
become an avowed candidate, but h
declines for the present to either affirr
or deny. Gov. Patterson'S closest friend
seem confident no will be either car
didate for senator or governor, but
can be stated on unquestiOned autho
lty the governor himself has not d.
termined as to his future course. Th
nearest he has come to any eXpressio
was in conversation with some friend
few days ago. He then said:
In my judgment the democracy I
the state will have more to say an
more to do with any mans candidate
than the man himself. The voice
the party, which will be heard in DIT
course, will determine the matter
the satisfaction of the people. Undl
haste on the part of the individual wi
not avail him. In the final analysis,
believe, you will find that all posSibi
tiles and all probabilities will be in Il
hands of their friends. In the meal
time would much prefer agitation
the good roads convention than polit
cal discussion. There is time enoug
for The latter, andno better time tina
the present for a statewide mOvemei
in favor of good roads. A better col
tribution 10 the peace, prosperity an
happiness of our people cannot be mac
than the improvement of the preseI
state highways, and planning INTEL
gently for new ones.
"Some of the more important cou
ties in point of population are reportt
in some detail. A number of the CO
respondents contented themselves |
merely reporting the preferences
their county as they found. From ST
ty-nine of the counties out of the tot
of nidety-six, the American receive
reports epltomized in the statemeI
above.