The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-05-19
GAINES SEVEREON
GOV. PATTERSON
Former Congressman Says Ten
nessee Political Conditions Are
National Scandal.

Political conditions in Tennessee
are a public disgrace and a national
scandal" declared ex-Congressman
John Wesley Gaines, one of the most
prominent citizens of the Volunteer
State, In Richmond yesterday. The
time has arrived when men who value
public honor and who would preserve
the integrity of the judiciary to take
a stand. Such a stand | ropos to
take. | am sorry that / could not be
present at the meeting held in Nash.
vile to-day having for its aim the
preservation of the integrity OF the
courts. But l am or that side. I
shall cast my vote for a reform In
the State of which in days gone by I
was proud
Mr.. Gaines has spent the last day or
two looking up old land titles in the
office Of Colonel John w. Richardson,
Register OF the Lam Office, at the
Capitol. He LETT the city yesterday
afternoon.
Much In Earnest.
Every word uttered by the distin-
guished statesman was emphasized us.
his earnestness. Eloquent in ordinary
conversation. big of frame. with an
extremely attractive face and silvery
hair. every word he spoke was vibrant
with feeling and glowed with indis-
nation. An interview with this extra
ordinary man on this topic is an event
and an experience to be remembered.
Mr.. Gaines. who is engaged In the
practice of law in Nashville, has been
away from his city for the past six
weeks. He was absent when the
Judgment of the Supreme Court in the
Cooper case was handed down and the
pardon of Colonel Cooper followed.
But he has been keeping close track
of political events. inc has treasured
his thoughts until they reached :1le
explosive point III Richmond yester-
day. The explosion came.
Il said nothing about murders and
about pardcns, because l could moi,
help myself said Mr. Gaines. 81 kept
quiet about the killing Of Mr.. Car
mack. Furthermore. my feeling re-
sarding Mr.. Patterson, with whom L
served in Congress, is entire imper-
sonal.
Court Is Invaded.
Three of the judges of the Sill
preme Court, the citadel of Justice In
Tennessee, have twice said. over their
signatures, that Governor Patterson
attempted to interfere with or to in
J''S VI 'ilclI lVuN III
the Cooper case. To think that a man
In the highest executive Office in the
state should arrogatc to himself the
right and the privilege and the brains
and The horns n the hoofs and the
fetlocks to invade the sanctitv Of the
highest court Of his State! The s,t,la.
ton is horrible, It is %unbearable; 1t is
unbelievable.
Tits a time for grief and for shame.
but 1t is also a time for Indignation.
The occasion calls for men who will
stand for the traditions of the athers.
Tor an untarnished judiciary, for
honor, for clean hands, for patriotism.
l expect to do my part.
! believe concluded the former
wit and orator of the House of Repre-
sentatives. that judges should be APP
pointed by the Governor and confirmed
by the Senate. They should serve for
terms OF ten or twelve years, and
should thereafter be ineligible for re-
appointment or for any office in the
state, civil or judicial. In this way
the judiciary might be taken ont Of
politics.