The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1910-04-22

defended. His feeble voice is, raised
amid the general execration in de
Tense of that blot on the history OF
the state. Indirectly this defense In
cludes an attack on the efficiency Of
the courts. Having constituted him
self judge, jury and witnesses. little
: difaculty is reached in arriving at
the verdict of innocence for the de-
PENDANT. and having gotten to this
point, the final step of pardon was
easy, not to say necessary.
Then he could not resist an on
slaught on the election laws, which are
going to be so awkward in the Noyem-
Der election. Honesty in the counting
of votes has a distressing sound for
candidates who fear the verdict of an
aroused people hence it stands In hand
to the dictator to ding brick at these
safeguards OF the people Capital is
attempted to be made out of the pas
sage of the primary law, which was de-
cIared unconstitutional, as indicating
the wishes Of the opponents of the
present primary plan.
In thus coming out for another race,
Patterson has dared his opponents to
do their worst It Is certain that the
gage thrown down win be picked up
and Pattersonism viii be placed on
trial for its life, with its high priest
in the role of chief defendant and
there will be no one to issue a pardon.
Very many people did not believe
that Patterson would have the nerve"
to make the race again, but these evil
IDENTIFY reckoned too little with the
"headyness' of the Governor. 1t did
not appeal to him to retire under the
hail of public criticism, but he has
chosen rather to hurl back an answer
which seems to an onlooker like reck-
lessness rather than courage. There is |
nothing to lose, for all seems lost al |
ready, and there may be something to
gain. Certainly it will enable Patter-
son to sink with flying colors, rather
than have to raise the white flag of
surrender to those he hates above ex
preston. rs
With Patterson as a candidate to
succeed himself, the lines of battle can
be more clearly drawn than il he had
placed dummy in the lead. Likewise
the results will be more decisive
For this reason it was not thought
that he would hazard his entire politi-
cal fortune on the governors race
Patterson has thought otherwise and
goes into the primary with every
chance of successful HIS PRIMARY.
After the primary comes the Noyem-
Der election, where the real test of
strength will come.
It is understood that the announce
ment of Patterson was made little
earlier than was intended. In fact, at
least ten days earlier. 4.,.
To understand the motives that led
up to it the events OF yesterday must
be- explained.
In the belief that change In the
primary plan was eminent, number
If administration leaders assembled, in
Nashville yesterday, being doubtless
tipped off by Patterson. Rumor had
,een afioat for thirty-six hours that
hree members of the supreme court
we're about to publicly announce their
Intention to run before the people in
he August election. entirely repudi-
ting the primary set for June A.
That such a step should be prevent
d, which seemed to be desirable in
he highest degree to the administra-
ion forces the plan was to have been
hanged, and at a meeting scheduled
Dr. last night a call was to be issued
,r a meeting of the executive COM
littee for the purpose of resembling
ome Of the more Objectionable fea-
Tres Of that plan.
This, it was fondly hoped, would
alt the judges in their determination
, step over the line for good and the
mango of plan, conceding everything
the dissenting judicial candidates..
as tc~be efficacious in bringing the
dges back into the fold.
But before the leaders could confer
was rumored that the judges we're
,out to announce their candidacy,
lbject to the August election, and
tile later an early edition of the Ban
n confirmed the rumors.