The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-17
HOOPER IS HEAD OF
THE STATE TICKET
Republicans Name Man For
Governor of Tennessee
PLATFORM Is VERY DRY
Republicans Take Up the Prohibition
Cause In Order to Get the Votes
of the Independent Demo-
cratic Voters

Nashville, August 16.-Capt. Benjamin
W. Hooper of Newport, Coke county, was
this afternoon nominated for governor of
Tennessee by the republican state con-
vention assembled in the Ryman audito-
rum here at noon today. The name of
Alfred A. Taylor of Washington county,
brother of Senator Robert l.. Taylor. was
the only other one presented to the con-
vention, and immeditely following the
announcement of the result of the first
ballot the nomination was made unani-
nous. The ballot stood. Hooper Ss2 Ola
Taylor 2o1 5-l5. The convention also in
dorsed the candidacy of B. A. Enloe, in
dependent, for railroad commissioner from
west Tennessee.
The Independent statewide prohibition
democrats, who are opposed to Gov. NJ
r. Patterson, are expected to support the
ticket nominated today as against the
regular democratic nominees, which in
clude Patterson for reelection and the
coming campaign promises to be one of
vigor and bitterness.
The platform adopted today declares
for no backward step in the prohibition
lows. which We're passed over the veto
of Governor Patterson, and asserts that
CARDS congressional, judicial and legisla-
tive districts. 1t says that the present
system of distributing is nothing less than
larceny of the elective franchise
Captain Hooper was the choice of the
leaders of the independent statewide
prohibition faction of the democratic
party which recently elected their candi-
dates for state judicial Officers. 1t is
conceded that the same combination will
be in effect in the coming gubernatorial
campaign and the independent state
widers were deeply interested in today's
proceedings
Hooper was also the final selection OF
the Sanders Evans-Sharpe element of the
republicans, and it was evident early
this morning that he would be the win
ner. Congressman Richard Austin from
behind the scenes led the fight for Tay
lor and his friends claim that had the
vote been taken promptly following the
presentation of the names Taylor would
have developed much more strength.
Announcement of the nomination elicit
ed very mild demonstration and Cap
tain Hooper took the floor for his ac-
ceptance speech. He declared that he
was the candidate of no clique or ele-
ment and that he stood on his record
solely He referred to stories of confer
ences at Beverly, and announced he knew
nothing of them or their purport. He
came unattended to the convention and
was a party to no star chamber pro-
ceedings. He stood on the platform and
was the candidate of the entire party
Captain Hooper's name was presented
by former State Senator H. N. Cate of
Newport and Robert S. Sharp, chief post
office Inspector made one of the second
ing speeches.
Captain Hooper is 80 years Of age and
a native of Coke county. He was grad
uated from Carson and Newman college
with first honors and served two terms
in the state legislature. He was assist
ant United States attorney of the east
Tennessee district. and served as captain
in the Fourth Tennessee regiment dur
ing the war with Spain. He has been
successful In financial affairs and is said
to be a man of large means.