The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-03-30
LEGISLATURE
TAKE UP MATTER
PLANS FOR ENLARGING
Election Commission, Will Eithsr
Five or Seven Members-To
Prepare For 1912

Nashville, March 27.-One of
the first matters for consideration
this week upon the reconvening
of the legislature, and decidedly
the most important in a political
way will be the selection of a
state election commission to sue
coed 1, B. Tigret, of Jackson.
A disposition is creeping abroad
among the conservative element
of both factions of the democratic
party to harmonic for the ap-
preaching presidential campaign
in the fall of 1912. AS the MEM
bers gather for the final session
of thirty-one days the "get-to-
gether" spirit increases.
Two lines of procedure are be-
ing discussed. The first and
more desirable of these is that
both wings of the democratic
party unite in the selection of a
commissioner or commissioners to
be chosen from the conservative
element who have the preserva-
ton of the party at heart, making
the bitterness of factionalism sec
ondary, with the hope of absolute
harmony in the big campaign
next year. One thing is practi-
cally certain, to-wit: The number
of state election commissioners
will be increased from three to
either five or seven, making an
equal division as far as possible,
with reference to parties and par
ty factions. This plan is reach
ing the hearts of number of
the solons who have already ex-
pressed themselves.
One of the most powerful ex-
ponents of this plan is United
States Senator Luke Lea. While
he is silent himself, it is said that
Senator Lee is preparing to pur-
sue a more conservative policy
toward the democratic majority
of Tennessee. He has asked for
seat on the democratic side of
the senate chamber. It is known
that he can get very little of the
democratic patronage for his state
if he does not pose as democrat,
elected by the democratic party,
retaining their good will and in
dorsement. 1t is talked in Nash
vile, too, that his paper will
hereafter pursue more conserva-
i've policy.
In the event that the get-to-
gether" plan on the question OF
state election machinery fails it is i
pretty we'll established that the reg
ular democrats and the Brownlow
will control. While the
senate is known to be safely in the
democratic column, it is said tonight |
a sufficient number of the Brown
low republicans Of the house have
signi6ed their willingness to affiliate
with the democrats to control the
the machinery, the members of the
commission to be divided.
The commission is now composed
Of two boilers and one republican.
The term of Tigrett has expired,
leaving one republican and one boil
ter. 1t is said that the law will be
to have a commission of
seven members instead of three, Civ
ing on the election the democrats
and Brownlow republicans the ma
ority.
The talk of longer recess is said
20 be an unfounded rumor. The
'olons are fast gathering in, and they
want to remain here until the duties
If the ffty-seventh assembly are fin
shed. The recess that has just
,losed is one of the longest in the
history of the state and is by far the
most costly. The junketers have
spent nearly $4,000 of the states
money. While none of the political
PARTIES of the state are shouldering
he responsibility. the democrats are
aging the extravaganza at the door
# the republican administration.
The executive department. is rcpub-
ican, the house is the same as re- I