The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1911-06-23
BUSINESS AT LAST.

It is with no small degree Of pleas
ure that we note at last
aat there is to be re-
.lmption of business by the legisla-
ire of this State. Being assured
hat a majority of the House will &C
cord them fair and just treatment,
that no successful effort can be made
20 reverse the will of the people ex-
pressed in two elections last year, the
tusionists of the House will return to
their seats and the business of the
session will be continued until neces-
sary legislation is enacted
And no fair and patriotic Tennessee
IN can fail to rejoice at the improve
ment in conditions. Certainly no man
who desires a fair election and the
correct registration of the will Of the
people can object to the settlement
which guarantees a continuation of
the legislative session. The regulars
improperly so-called, secure the legal
election of one member of the State
Board of Elections, giving them the
same voice on that board enjoyed by
the independent Democrats. Not on
iy that but there is no man in Tennes-
see who can truthfully say ought
against the characters Of Messrs.
Maynard, Young and Stratton who are
to be the state commissioners. That.
it's all that the people should or do
ask. It Is a fair, just and honorable
settlement.
The Herald will In the future az
It has in the past advocate the dir
ect election of the county election
boards, properly safeguarding the
guaranteeing the rights Of the minor.
ity. But 1t realizes that no sincere
effort has been made by the Patter-
son majority in the Senate to carry
that promise to the people into
effect. No effort whatever was IN
fact made to press a bill Of that kind
until after the legislative hiatus, pro
duced by the infamous Baxter-Leach
bill. In the meantime under the pro-
posed settlement the people are as
,ured of fair and just treatment, they
are guaranteed honest elections and
honest men cannot ask for more.
If we fail to have harmony in the
Democratic party and lasting peace
in Tennessee the fault will rest with
the so-called regulars. They have
spurned every proposition for fair
and honorable adjustment of differ
ences. Senator Lea, just after the Nov
ember election, made the first over
lures, but his suggestions were made
the object Of the wrath and misre
presentations of the Pattersonites.
Since that time he has made repeated
efforts to bring about an honorable
adjustment. But the Pattersonites, |
seemingly confident of their ability |
to turn a minority into a bra2en |
and insolent majority, have stead |
tasty turned a deaf ear to every ap-
peal Now that they have no further
opportunity to enact the nefarious
Baxter infamy it is possible that they |
will manifest a more patriotic In
terest in the welfare of the State |
and the future of the Democratic |
party.
The Legislative session should be
brief one Only necessary legisla-
ton should be enacted and an ad
journment sine die taken. No sug
gestion of any extra session should
be entertained The people Of Ten
nessee are sick and tired unto death
of the present situation. They de-
mand and are entitled to have a rest
from politics. Candidates for Office
next year should manifest some
slight regard for the interests of the
State and refuse to preciptate a
campaign until the very last moment
possible. Let us have peace for
time at least.