The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-05-11
GEO. T. RENFRO
WRITES LETTER
GOV. HDDPER'S APPO|NTEE
Letter Begging for Funds to Pay
Runaway Legislators Their
Expenses and Per Diem.

Inc Dover courier performed con-
spicuous public service by securing
and printing the following letter,
which it appears has been sent out to
all the "fsithful" in the state, and in
dicates the sensitive solicitude the re-
publican machine has for the purity
of politics and the welfare of the state:
Nashville, Tenn, May l
Republican State Executive Commit
tee.
Dear Sir-As you no doubt learned
through the press, thirty-four mem
bers of the legislature, composed of in
dependent democrats and repu bicans,
are now in Alabama for the purpose
of preventing the repeal of the election
and Temperance laws of the state.
The repeal of the election laws would
turn the state irretrievably over to the
democratic machine politicians and
| liquor men and result in the repeal of
all the reform legislation that has been
accomplished by theindependent dem
ocrats and better class of republicans
of the state.
In order to keep the thirty-fou men,
u,
beeu necessary for the republican state
committee to furnish money to pay
their expenses, and also the per diem
OF some of the members. 1t is believ-
ed that every patriotic republican aud
Independent democrat will regard it as
special favor TO be allowed TO con-
tribute to the expense fluid. The eX-
penses referred to have heretofore been
borne by few leaders of the party and
it has resulted in Il larger burden than
was at first expected.
! am therefore writing you as patri-
otic republican to send me check for
such amount as you feel able, in the
enclosed, and the same will be placed |
TO the proper purpose. Receipt will |
be sent for Suc' amount rs you con-
tribute.
You can ask others to contribute if |
you desire, but it will be necessary to
send your check by early mail, as help
is very much needed at once.
| am writing this letter as secretary
of the state executive committee of the
republican party, with the hope that
each one will contribute to the good
cause. Thanking yon for any favor,
| am, yours Verv trnly,
GEORGE L. RENERO
Secretary State Committee.
Mr.. Renfro is not only secretary of
the republican executive committee,
but be gets comfortable salary from
the people of Tennessee for performing
his political duties, incidentally re-
ceptipg for the same as superintendent
Of the capitol, appointed by Governor
Hooper because of his dual fitness for
,he job. Is
Mr.. Renfro shows he is patriot, be- 2
,ause he thinks the absconders of the I
legislature ought to be remunerted for [
holding up the business of the state $
md stopping the wheels of progress. a
What boots it if the states credit is o
its schools go unproyided for, U
md its name made the common SUBJ
ect of disgnst and ridicule all over the
ountry, so long as the sacred election
aw is preserved and Memphis, Chat
anooga and Nashville, continued in
he grip of the blind tigers and the =
T.
oetleggers? :,
The bclters are patriots, says Renfro :,
a effect, but patriotism has got to be
ewarded with its per diem or the pa :
riots will come back and give the T,
licked democrats an opportunity to u
ransact the business of the state. This .
er diem, naively says Mr.: Renfro, has !,
cen paid by few leaders of the par
y-is it possible the governor is one
mong the numbcr?-and the burden m
becom ng bill irksome! Heavens, IN i!
it possible that patriotism, devotion j.
, the cause Of professional temperance
as grown so small as TO stegger under fir
lie load of a few dollars expended in
$ holy cause? Have patriotism, hon d,
~ of purpose and fidelity to prin- fir
pie comet 10 be measured by ''expens- k,
and rer diem paid2n st
II am writing this letter." says the fo
ithful Renfro, las secretary of the fu
ate executive committee and not, al
course, as superintendent of the cap br
oil, hence his "hope that you will eS
'ntribate to the good cause" is official, ST
1t mandatory and not merely adviso- TO
y 1t is well that Mr.. Renfro makes ge
lie dlstirction-ifh he were writing as
e superintendent Of The capitol he re
light embarrass the governor, who is in
great stickler for sep parating business tic