The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1910-07-15
WALTER PRESTON BROWNLOW
A Character Sketch.
by ]. |. FINNEY.l


eminent; the evolution OF Demo
crazy; the progress Of constitutions
government, these and other absorb
ling questions OF administration which
have vexed and troubled man since
the infancy of the race, were un
worthy Of notice Brownlow believ
ed and sincerely and honestly >belieV
ed, that governments we're instituted
for the purpose Of providing jobs for
1.-THE faithful and distributing funds to
the districts.
BrownloW was a typical representa-
tive of this great materialistic age.
He was the very embodiment of the
spirit Of his time. He succeeded: he
died in Congress, while Mr.. Carmack,
brilliant, able a statesman in the
highest and best acceptation of that
term, was defeated at the end OF
his first term because he refused to
buy the favor of his constituents
with the jobs to secure which he
must barter his convictions for the
| favor of the executive. He scorsed
to court the good win Of his people
I, by an indiscriminate distribution of
pork" Carmack, the altruist, the
statesman, the patriot was not appre-
ciated; Brownlow the practical poll
tfcian, unschooled in the science of
government but an exceptional sue
cess as distributor of its funds, cied
at his post. Brownlow was of this
day and time; Carmack represent
ed an earlier, more patriotic, less
practical but better day.
The Brownlow conception of gov
eminent is the popular idea OF to-
day. Congressman return biennial
ly to tell their followers Of jObs and
pensions; to point with pride 20
new buildings; to render a financial
statement Of their worth. In the
olden time Representatives Came
home to tell admiring constituents
Of how they had voted on questions
vitality affecting principles Of govern
ment; to instruct and entertain them
with diGqusitions on the duties 2 Of
and the problems Of con-
stitutional administration. Who will
say that the BrownloW theory has pro-
nted this people?
Walter Preston Brownlow was born |
IN Virginia and was nephew Of the |
great Parson, William G. Brownlow, /
during the years following the great +
war the dominant factor In the affairs
Of the Republican party Of Tennessee.
Brownlow was born in poverty and
his early years in life were hard; a
severe struggle for its necessities. He
worked for years at the timers
bench In Rogersville. While yet a
youth he developed a fondness for
politics and with that intensely prac-
tical turn of mind which ever charac-
terized him he at once turned his
love of politics into practical bene,
it. He secured job as messenger /
IN Congress.
Brownlow's rise in politics was
steady and rapid. He served as I
Chairman of the State Committee end !
n 1896 was elected member of the {
National Committee from this State, /
/ place that he held for twelve years.
His absolute control of the Republic
IAN party in Tennessee dates from {
he convention of 1896 of which he s
vas permanent chairman. This domi- q
lation lasted for ten years. Outing d
hat time he was as completely the |
MASTER and dictator of the Republi- q
an party in Tennessee as the Gar {
{ Russia is of the destinies of that k
Il fated land Brownlow was as au- t
ocratic, as cynical of the opposition, d
s relentless in his administration OF v
he affairs of his party as was ever Ii
he great Walpole. The latter was a p
tatesman, Brownlow was not but in D
ONE respects there is a remarkable L
imilarity in the characters Of the C
wo. Both were superior organizers, G
9th had the very highest appreciation Il
what is now known as the ma j.
hine; both we're Indifferent to the
leans necessary to accomplish the q
esired end ii
Brownlow was an autocrat. During =.
le ten years that he was boss o. his y,
arty, its every platform declaration ST
sceived his imperial o X; its candi- w
ates were named only after his ap- m
roval had been obtained; its eau q
Uses and conferences and conven- :
ons acted wholly at HE behest. Il
rownlow never trusted to his Heute- "