The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1910-07-21
JKE Is kE-
COMMUNICATION

The readers of The American wer
pleased and gFatified upon observing
in yesterdays issue the announcement
of /. b. Tigrett, member of the stat,
board of Elections, favoring an equa
division of officers in the August elec
tien. His statement as published il
as follows:
"Quite number of inquiries hav,
come to me as 10 the position of the
state board of elections, with reference
to the division of the officers, who are
to hold the August election. Without
assuming to speak for the other mem
bers of the state board, am undertalx.
ing to give my viewpoint.
"Election commissioners have been
appointed in every county of the state,
and most careful effort has been
made to select men of ability and in
tegrity who could be depended upon
to take an active interest in conduct
ing elections. Wherever it was possi-
Bile for me to do so, the men under con-
sideration for appointment were SUBJ
mitted to prominent citizens of differ.
ent political affiliations, and the man
Objectionable to any faction, insofar as
integrity was concerned, was elimi-
mated.
"Having made these appointments,
the work of the state board was prac-
tically ended. With the county cleo
ton commissioners, and not with the
state board of elections, is the authori-
ty vested to appoint the various cleo
tion officers who shall serve at the
polls. Hoping to assist the county
commissioners, however, the state
board has recently distributed letter
containing information as to the vari-
GUS laws governing various elections.
In this letter is the following para
graph: 1T is earnestly hoped that eve-
ry commissioner will carefully study
these laws that govern on this subject
and will consider the men to be chos-
en- for service at the polls with equal
care. His prime and paramount object
should be to obtain for those positions
the very best and most intelligent and
law-abiding men that can be found
who are willing TO serve. The division
of the judges and clerks as set out in
the law will, of course, be obeyed, at
the same time, let the main object be |
10 have good and intelligent men of
whatever party affiliations. 1t would |
be well to request such men to serve
when appointed, and such an Office as
Judge or clerk of the election in the in.
terest of law and rights of citizenship
should be considered an honor, as it is
an opportunity to inspect or maintain
respect for and confidence in the law
"Further than this, the state board
has no authority or inclination to go,
having profound confidence in the
character of men appointed.
"It is my personal belief that men
,f high standing from both elements
If the democratic party should be
chosen 10 hold the August election.
"While realize that there is a suf-
icient number of honest men allied
with either faction TO hold fair cleo
ion, yet it seems TO me that represen-
;atives of both or all factions in the
capacity of election officers would tsnd
o promote peace and order and salts
action in this or any other contest.n
Mr.. Tigrett places himself squarely
N record. There are two other mem-
,ers of the board. Their attitude will
Ietermine the political complexion of
he election officials, for Mr.. Tigrett
Eliminates himself from responsibility.
i bestowing upon one faction the en-
ire machinery,
Mr.. Tigrett is in cordial sympathy
With the independent ticket; but he
ealizes that fairness can be insured {
My by equal representation at the
allot box. Ifit is fair to allow equal :
representation, it is then unfair not to !
omIel such division. K
Regardless of our preference of tickets
nd regardless Of who may be elected
ldges of the supreme court can not
ford to permit any circumstance
'hich will in any way cast shadow 8
suspicion over the result. A court :
hose duty is to insure equality and !
istice can not employ methods incon- |
stent with the character, of the Office {
ley seek. !
Two years ago The officers were divid- !
between Governor Patterson and I
& Senator Carihack and there was not I
trace Of faaund or a criticism offered I