The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1911-07-14
Tax Assessor.
Sentiment Finds Response.

w have a letter from Robt. Williams,
a newspaper man Of Knoxville, com
mending us for special mention OF Gov
Wilson in connection with the
Presidential nomination. Mr.. Williams
is connected with the Knoxville Senti-
mel and special correspondent for other
State papers. Mr.. Williams states that
during the past month he sent out
about forty letters TO East Tennessee
Democrats, members OF both factions
in Tennessee, and in reply finds that
the sentiment is practically unanimous
for Wilson. Among the members Of
the bar he found some sentiment for
Governor Harmon, but in the same let
tiers the people were for Wilson. Mr..
Williams adds that he is a member of
the County Court and has the distinc-
ton OF being the only justice Of the
peace in Knoxville or suburbs that, in
trying cases, does not tax the county
with the cost. He desires a campaign
OF education in order that the LegisIa-
ture may be instructed to abolish the
fee system in Tennessee. which is doing
SO much to corrupt the voters OF the
State. He says there are four offices
in Knox County which pay at least
$50, 900 and the officers do not hesitate
to put up $4,000 each for campaign
purposes.
We are under obligations to Mr.. Will
liams sfor his kindness, and are pro-
foundly glad to know that the senti-
ment for a sweeping change in our
affairs, both State and national, is grow
ing. The progressive movement is gath
ering strength everywhere and Tennes-
see is beginning to feel the effects OF
the enthusiasm. AS to Governor Will
son, he has evidently shown what sort
Of metal and spirit he has. He has so
far proven the master Of the most pow
erful combinations of special interests
in America. But the question is, is he
sincereY There are some who are dubi-
Gus Of Wilson, particularly in the Bryan
quarters. But is il not true that Bryan
still nurses a lingering hope that senti-
ment may turn back TO him. Wilson
has changed some in his political theo-
ries. Is this change due to honest
motives, or is it done for a purpose.
Would Wilson enter the campaign as
a progressive leader and, wrenching vic
tory from the grasp OF iron and steel
and sugar, oil and tobacco, turn his
back upon the people and consort with
these interests. These are questions to
decide. Politicians are not above such
a thing. We have a precedent in the
great swashbuckling bunch of guffo-
Roosevelt. OF all the political bur
Roosevelt is the limit.
as ~ HUNS w us UAsOu CuulQ no III
possibly make the fight he has made {
as an expedient. The combina- l
Of privileged interests would not, {
our opinion, suffer such a test, though |
made for the purpose of ultimate sue ]
cess, and hence We think hat Wilson a
must be sineere-not only sincere, but
Intensely and powerfully so. u
SO far the horoscope shows Wilson to S
% the most logical leader in the Demo- b
ratio party for the Presidential nomin-
in 1912, and so far as we are con-
erned Wilson appears to be our choice. a
The Commercial is not one of the Il
which desires the success of the v
Democratic party simply to get control 81
1 the patronage. II that is % be the K
n-consuming aim then the quicker the il
isintegration Of parties the better. II o.
here is nothing more to American pol te