The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1910-11-25
The Finale of a Tragedy.

VI llls olftie. 70 MS nome was met D
two men father and son, and shot t
death.
The citizen was a man in the prim
Of life, barely so years Of age, maj
who had served this district two term
in Congress and one term Of six year
in the Senate Of the United States
During his public career he had achieveC
marked distinction. One of the few
speeches which will defy all time. b,
delivered during his first session, wher
confronted with contest by Hon
Josiah Patterson, Of this city and dis
trict His Senatorial career was one Of
unbIemished fealty TO his people as he
saw it, and Of brilliant espousal Of their
cause.
fractional politics caused his retire
ment from the Senate in which body
especially his ability shown as a rarest
jewel.
Local ard State differences forced
him into gubernatorial contest in
which he was beaten, by the force of
hostile organization, from the moment
he announced his entry From the
proudest pinnacle, which he most SUI
perbly adorned, to the attitude of sup
pliance, which his friends cxacted of
him, was a sore step and one which
caused his undoing. Defeated second
time, yet full of spirit which contem-
plated nothing short OF the enactment
OF his idea OF a remedy for his people,
he turned his splendid abilities to a
journalistic career, in which, before he
entered politics, he had outshown all re
val luminaries. As editor, with the
added experience which a political ca
reer embracing both houses OF Congress
had given him, he attracted the atten-
ton OF the nation.
There were peculiar political condi-
tons at the time. The man by whom
he had been defeated in the Democratic
primaries for the office of Governor,
was in the executive chair. When E.
w. Carmack took charge Of the Nash
vile newspaper, he became the bette
noir OF the Patterson administration.
Behind the latter were gathered as a
political machine the most conscience
less group Of political dereicts and
buccaneers that ever disgraced State. |
One OF these, the chief and foremost,
was Duncan B. Cooper. He was the
Governors political and personal men
tor. BY his own subsequent confess
sion, lie was a broken gambler, de-
generate, the embezzler of sacred funds
II was this man whom Mr.. Carmack, in
a series Of caustc but well guarded edi-
torials had connected with the admins
tration of the executive affairs Of the
State. II was this nnn, who had
threatened the life Of Mr.. Carmaek,
Who eventually, accompanied by his
son, shot down and killed one who had
no chance to protect his own life.
The tragedy, over two years old, is
none the less fresh in the public mind.
The two Coopers were convicted in
long drawn out trial in which they had
every advantage Of counsel and news
paper sympathy that money could buy.
BY only the extreme mercy of a jury,
from which they had felt sure of acquit-
tai, their penalties were fixed at twenty !
years each IN the State penitentiary. !
Appeal was taken to the Supreme Court
Of the State. The verdict of the trial ;
court as to the elder Cooper was sus-
tained that as to the younger Cooper !
was not; he was remanded ON a techni- ,
eality for new trial Before the elder
Cooper could leave the capitol grounds r
he had pardon from his adviser and ,
friend the Governor Of the State, who o
declared that the courts were unjust q
md that only he himself was just; that n
&c had never intended to do aught but a
,ardon the two slayers. Il
Time has dragged along; only on a
tuesday did the case of Robin Cooper p
,ome up for a re-hearing. In the 0
meanwhile, there had come up new ST
,oltico-iudical regime. A new pros Il
cutting attorney had been chosen, one b
avorabe to the Governor of Ten W
Iessee. The Judge who first tried the W
'oopers had died and gone to the re- to
ard he deserved. His successor was ol
AIMED by Governor Patterson. II was, q
therefore,, before this Judge and this to
rosecuting attorney that Robin Cooper, re
creme and confident, appeared Tuesday a.
lorning. BY instruction OF the Judge, a
pom motion of the attorney general, til
.obin Cooper. 2S years OF age, who