The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1910-05-13
rnE eovERNoR ANo coURIs

past four years in Tennessee, tn
Nashville Banner has kept discreeu
silent II has taken no hand in tn
contests that have embroiled tn
State. Whatever political leaning
has shown during that time has oeel
toward the Patterson faction. Its OWE
or and its editor supported the Cover
nor in the last campaign. But in tn
face of the issues that menace the pee
pie today the Banner cannot longe
remain silent. The following edito
rial from that paper is one OF tn
strongest indictments ever writer
against the Governor Of any State:
The controversy that has arisen be
tween the Governor and the thre'
Judges OF the Supreme Court is de
plorable and humihating to the people
Of the State. 1t adds fuel to th'
flames of factional politics already
famed to a dangerous heat by recent
untoward circumstances; puts stig
ma on the Chief Executive and dragS
the judicial ermine into most unseemly
association.
The address issued yesterday by
Judges Beard, Shields and Neil would
make very startling revelation. If ru'
mors to the effect of what it imports
had not already become rife. But no
anticipation could have removed the
shock of such astounding statements,
nor take away the ugly aspect of what
is therein charged. Put 1t into the
form of an address to the people of
Tennessee over the signatures OF three
Supreme Judges, these charges neces-
sarily produced in the public mind
feeling of amazed Indignation. The
Governors conduct, as described in
this statement, was in the highest de-
gree reprehensible and utterly with
out defense.
It is impossible to ignore a matter
of such serious import. The address
cannot be treated as a mere campaign
document; it has significance much
wider than any political bearing it
may possess. and must be consider
ed as it affects the states honor and
welfare, and not with regard to party
or faction.
The Governors reply, published this
morning, is in his usual vigorous style
and quite adroit in presentation. The
Governor is skillful fencer, but the
reply is not altogether convincing
There is a general denial Of any in
tention to influence the court, but no
refutation of the detailed charges is
80 specific as to be entirely satisfac-
tory The Governor, too much be-
rates the Judges for alleged disloyalty
to the Democratic party, which is an
extraneous matter, and he also uses
the device of avoiding the attitude OF
defense by bringing counter charges.
He is especially combative towards
JuuSe WIOI NJ oCOhAo w NSN |
slider the head and front Of the offend |
ing, and whom he indicts with having |
beguiled his lifelong friend, Judge !
Beard into making such grave charges |
against the Governors character. The
public is not so much interested In
what Judge Shields did In the Car
mack primary or at any other time,
as 1t Is in knowing whether the head
Of the Executive Department Of the
State sought, through means OF politi-
cal manipulation, to coerce the SUI
preme Court in an important decis-
ION.
The Judges of the Supreme Court
standing for reelection and other
judiciary candidates who rejected the
the primary plan put out by the State
Committee were altogether justified
in that action, because of the patent
unfairness of the plan, its machine as
pect and the political involvement In
which it placed them. Their independ-
emit candidacy could have been safely
prediccated on this phase of the STU
ton alone, but the statement made In
the address of the three Supreme
Judges to the people gives the primary
a still more sinister suggestion and
shows how utterly impossible it would
have been for them, consistent with q
personal honor or the dignity OF the t
places they Hi, to submit their claims t
Tor reelection to its decision. .
This PLAN" the Judges In their ad- q
iress to the people. say, I'VE regarded a
lnder the conditions as a menace to t
he members of the Supreme Court" c
Accepting all the statements made in a
he address. 1t was that and much c
more. It was a deliberate attempt to
impede justice for a personal politi- 8
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