The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1910-07-14

not to be commended AT any rlme OF
anywhere. The judicial office is one
purely nonpolitical, and it is not good
for the honor or safety of the state to
inject to much politics into contests
for judicial positions.
am not egostical enough to think
that l. could add one vote. to the ticket
by public discussion. Every man
knows, or can know if he wants to
know, how l stand politically on all
questions and candidates. Thousands
of my friends in this district are not
for the regular democratic'ticket They
have as much sense and patriotism as
you and i have. 1 wish they were
with us; but they are not. They leave
us for the time being. They will be
with us again if we act with common
sense and accord them the right which
we claim for ourselves in the determi-
nation of public questions.
The democratic executive committee
of the Third congressional district OF
Tennessee alone has the right, if any
body has, TO command that take the
stump for the judicial ticket. When
it does so will obey its order, or sur
render my nomination for Congress.
This district has in the last fourteen
wears past overcome republican ma
Ijority of $500 votes and gradually in
creased the democratic majority in the
congressional race to 6,225 at the last
election, without any aid from the
state committee, The American or
anyone outside of the district. Its
voters are incorruptible. Its democra-
CIV knows how to take care of the tick
ct. II has triumphed in the past with
out the the use of money or dubious
methods; it will 30 so again. we
neither expect nor ask outside aid OF
influence, and scorn that criticism
that would force us to despitefully an
tagonize our democratic friends who
differ with us OH this question for the
hour only.
The reason assigned for the opposl'
ton to the democratic organization dc
not appeal to me as sufficient toJustlfy
its abandonment. ! did not approve
J of the action of the committee III The
methods adopted and the drastic rules
passed for primary nominations
These seem to me not quite just o.
democratic. MT:: preferred convention
to nominate judges. AS the legisla
ture must elect senators under th'
constitution, prefer that the legisla
ture select them until the constitution
is changed, Still, did not feel JUST
fed in revolving on account OF thes'
things which to me seemed mistak
en- policy. Errors are best corrected
in my judgement, within the party
do not think that any effort wa'
made to coerse the judges in any cas-
by the democratic party or by TN
democratic executive committee, or BY
anybody. The facts, in my opinion
do not substantiate this-charge. Th'
meagre statement of facts, supplement
ed by inauguration, representative
ness and much argument, all fall t
establish coercion of the judiciary, 0
any attempt at it. II will be readii,
. agreed that an effort to coerce tn
: Judges by the governor would be yer,
: reprehensible; but it must be remem
bered that the governor is not the dem
ocratic party, and do mot think h
did it.
This is only my individual view, o.
7 which he must act. 1t is, after al
only from the conflict of ideas that W
: can secure good government.
. We should have free and untran
:. meled judiciary; we should have fire
- and untrammeled men in all publ
positions. We can not secure theI
: without free and untrammeled voters
You say that the democratic col
e gressmen declining to make speecht
! in July are selfish, and that they sin
i ply do not want to make enemit
a against them in the November election
.. This is true, but it is a seltishuess
4 the public as well as private interest
. Selfishness is said to be the mainsprin
! Of human action. 1t may be that va
% have never experienced this huma
= fiality. ] am not in sacrificial moo
y and have not that faith that woul
y move mountains and dry the sea.
: prefer to take care Of the present an
prepare the way for protection in u
! future, even though it be by ordinal
v, and commonplace methods.
as You assert that we are without cou
or age. Maybe SO. You are remindt
" that courage without discretion is O.
lie ly an exhibition of folly. DO us u
e, credit to assume that we are not e
ly tirely ignorant of the situation, nor
Re our duties and responsibilities to u
It. people we represent and that we a
C. doing the best we can for the unity
st the party and good government for Y
er state and union, in accordance viii
lie our abilities. Very truly yours.
Is $500 JOHN A. MOON.
ii ,y....-.-..o T,,l., ~ 1o1n