The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1910-12-01
PUBLISHED EVERY THURSDAY
LOOKING BACKWARD.

Recent disclosures over at Nashville
have caused the unsuspecting republic
can lambs to look backward. The so
called independent democrats have
made propositions of compromise with
the regular or straight democrats, from
which it is apparent that there are no
differences to settle, no great issue to
adjust, no policies to modify and on
fundamental questions creating the
slightest difference of opinion, but it is
all question of dividing the spoils.
The whole thing stands boldly 10th
stripped of the halo of martyrdom and
that nameless yearning for preserYa-
ton of the sacred institutions of the
state has all of sudden degenerated
into mere longing for the flesh pots
a free and untrammeled pie brigade.
Many of the rank and file were SINGERS
and followed what they thought TO be
right and best, but what an awakening
now. BY this gold brick manipula-
ton as now appears in all its selfish
ness it is admitted that the cause of
real reform and the forward move.
ment for a gradual uplift for better
government and better laws has re-
ceived set back that years alone can
over come. Broken promises, shatter-
ed ideals, and the uncovered hand of
hypocracy, can't and greed are indeed
unsatisfying memorials to the fidelity
and energy with which well meaning,
but deluded men followed the stand
ards and the banner of leaders who
bartered to exchange all for further of
fees which they were unable to film
fam from the wincing and sore backed
republicans who are weary in waiting
for their time to come. y Reform, o
Patriotism, how many crimes, how
many triumphs of avarice and office
hunger have been committed IN thy
name
And where does Newell and the re-
publicans come in? Looking back
ward they behold how generously
their free and untrammeled allies re-
fused to allow them even one judge out
of ten, and yet with all they furnished
eighty per cent. of the votes and more
that created the tidal wave of so-called
reform wherein the free and untram |
nleled rode serenely on and, into eighty |
years of Office. They also behold how |
in addition to these ten judges the free |
and untrammeled pie hunters also APP
propriated to themselves the attorney |
general for the state while their repub-
lican brethren who furnished nearly |
all the votes for the sake of sweet |
patriotism skunk hunger stricken
away. Then there are the three clerks |
for the supreme court, the three Mar
shals, making seventeen officials all
told, not including other minor places,
which, at eight years each, amounts to
one hundred and thirty-six years of
good fat Office. And now after they
have obtained all that was in sight
from their republican allies, silently,
secretly, even with an hunger like the
grave or the barren womb, like the
cry of the horse teaches daughter, they
propose to heal up the only wound,
the only aching void, for the rest of
the offices which alone the regular
democrats can aid them to obtain.
What have the republicans gained,
what have the democrats gained, what
have the people gained, and what has
the cause Of good government gained?
There were many republican lawyers
who hoped for an opportunity to run
for high and honorable judicial office,
even if there was but little chance of
success, rs it was recognition of their
professional standing and legal attain
ments. When there was no chance
heretofore, with regularity, with pre-
cision, with much show OF banners
and trumpets, they were called upon
and accepted the nomination for these
different judicial offices. Only once in
their day and generation did the door
Of opportunity open for real chance
OF election, when il was shut in their
faces The result of such political
management is inevitable and must
bear its fruit. Who did it, and why?
What was the object and purpose ?
Have all the lawyers been sacrificed
upon the altar of mere hope on the
part Of republican dictator or boss
that could 50 manipulate affairs that
his election To the United States senate
would result 1t was only dream
and The spell is broken. The free and
demanded delivery first,
and after that behold they are now
counter deal with the reg.
ulars to get all the balance. The re-
publicans are now sadder and wiser,
and the end Will of necessity be feel
ing of mans disbelief in man, the
Matching out Of brood of evil senti-
ments that will burden for days TO
come the normal and natural co opera
ton Of political parties along legiti-
mate and useful lines, Will the expe-
renee be worth the price? Our only
is to wait aud see. If spoils
ana office is the only division now, If
that is the only bone of contention, ii
III fsAy Ton