The advocate. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1901-1913, 1911-01-26
OF THE NEGRO IN TENNESSEE
\ UNCHANGED BY THE ELEC-
TION OF SENATOR.
New Leader Needed
10 guide the people in their politi-
cal activity, old ones having
proved unfit because of their in
clination to "corner'' all the hon
Ors and emolunents.
Especial to The Advocate.

ty-seventh General Assembly of Ten
nessee to-day in session elected Luke
Lea of Nashville to succeed Senator
J. r. Frazier. The election was the
elimination of the struggle that has
lasted since the beginning Of the ses-
sion. All other candidates were prac-
tically eliminated on last Saturday
when they all failed to command the
Republican strength SO necessary for
the election of any Senator at all.
. The whole thing has been a kind of
political "SeeSaw" with the balance
Of power alternating between the Reg
ular Democrats and the Republicans.
When both houses finally agreed upon
the inauguration of Gov-Elect Hooper
and set Wednesday, Jan. rs, as the
fate, the struggle for the -Senatefehip
was about settled. Until that time the
situation was an embarrassing one for
Hooper and-the Republicans because
the Democrats clearly appeared to be
holding off the inauguration, with the
Senate rather than lose the points Of
advantage they were seeking. AS mat
ters stood they could have forced the
Republicans into a trade Of that kind
and would perhaps have done so, even
at the expense Of bringing the Patter-
son influence into play again. Luke
Wright and Luke Lea have been the
Democratic dark horses all along be-
cause either was in a good position to
win. FIJI the light of the past in the
politics Of Tennessee 1t was supposed
that all Democratic factions would be
willing to unite upon either man, and
the Republicans have had strong at
tachment for both of the men all along.
They are the kind Of Democrats to
whom the Republican party has been
catering in building up Lilly White"
sentiment IN the State. They will al
ways be Democrats of course, but as
long as the G. O. P. keeps the Negro
ont of its organization in the State
some business can be done with the
newly elected Senator Luke Lea and
other Democrats Of his kind
Now that the struggle for the Sena-
torial toga is over, there may be some
lawmaking. The election of Senator
has occupied so much of the thought of
the RED NeCks and Hill-Billies" Of the
Tennessee -EegiSlatHfethat there has
been no opportunity for Legislation OF
any sort.
Governor Patterson has already sent
his Farewell Message" to the body and
received his final praise and criticism
by the friends and enemies who have
stood so faithfully by him during the
last two trying years. He is not "a
dead one" by a long sight and will
very likely be heard from for long
time yet in the political life Of the
state Of Tenneshsee. If the truth were
known, 1T would perhaps be found that
ne has had great deal to do with the
election Of Luke Lea. His influence
was certainly manifested in all the
early deliberations of the present AS
sembly. The "Regulars' who DELAYED
the organization of the body. were .
part or Pattersons broken hosts but
they stood by their colors until thei,
wishes were granted. Then they hello
or the inauguration of Hooper unit
thelf commander Patterson, could
build up the broken hopes of his fol.
lowers by giving out such plums as he
could possibly distribute within tn,
time allotted. Now they are ready tt
get down to work and make sucl
laws as can be made within the time
remaining There are a few more lob
left for Gov. Hooper to distribute
Patterson and his followers have
certainly done some nice things for th,
colored people in spite Of the disposi
tlon OF the Southern white man to leg
1slatc against the Negro. For this h,
has won the lasting gratitude Of tn,
masses Of Tennessee colored people
During his administration the faciltie
Tor Negro education have been largel,
increased and the colored people hav
enjoyed many other favors at hi
hands. In spite Of the criticism of hi
pardon record, he has released man,
Negroes who have been given lon
terms IN the State Prison for trivia
offenses and among those whom he ha
pardoned can be found many BOYS an
young men who may yet recover from
the unreasonable and unjust punish
mtnt sometimes inflicted upon ther
and lead lives or usefulness some
where.