The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1912-08-22

The people were concerned. With the
idea Of a state ticket for governor, 1
have very little patience; this cam
paign must be fought out along federal
lines, federal, not state issues, espeei-
ally in those states where state tickets
were nominated before Roosevelt be-
came candidate, and therefore before
the presidential contest was really on.
This was the situation in Tennessee,
and therefore no excuse for nominating
a.candidate against Hooper, and such
action was in my judgement, sheer fool
iShness, and under the circumstances
can only injure the progressive move
ment.
GAS to the congressional situation,
conditions are very different, especially
in view of the fact that both Sells and
Massey we're clamoring for reconition
at Chicago as Taft supporters, and
therefore giving aid and comfort to the
plan of log rolling tactics that boldly
defied the will of the people fairly
expressed at the polls in the preferen-
tial primaries and forced upon the
party candidate the country did not
want and will repudiate at the polls
in November, in other words to admin
istrate failure is added political
theft.
"Both of these gentlemen having
placed themselves on record as opposed
to the progressive idea represented by
Colonel Theodore Roosevelt, and en-
dorsed by the people, at the crucial
moment when Tennessees vote would
have saved the day even under the log
rolling scheme at Chicago, what as
surances would the people have that
their action would be different as their
representative in congress. The party
and the peoples representatives at
Washington must be broad minded,
conservative, capable men, who will
not only look after local matters in the
way of appointments, but who will
also take active part in the great con-
structive legislation that will necessari-
ly be considered by congress touching
industrial, financial labor and other
great questions directly affecting the
interests of the masses of the common
people.
zone of the complaints al Chicago
was that federal office holders and
their allies dominated the convention
and wholly disregarded the people
and the peoples rights; both Sells
and Massey were federal ofliee-hold-
ers-both sought recognition as Taft
upporters-SellS, member of con-
gress-MasSey member of the board
OF KAN liners Of soldiers homes
throughout the nation. While Colonel
Roosevelt, the now progressive san-
te2Wts, YVES PGssE4eAAs 4aSstbsA wESI
made on enc Of the then members of
this board in New York, who while
holding this position, became candi-
cative order was issued requireing him
to either resign bis position on the
board or quit the race for congress.
This order having been made while
Roosevelt was president, present
member of the board could scarcely
in good faith support him in his race
now, very sincerely, unless he intends
This order was eminently
correct, because no man has the right
to hold two federal positions at the
same time, especially one as congress
man, and the other of such nature as
requires from time to time COMPRESSION
al aid and such dual holding of such
offices is in direct conflict with the
platform of the progressive convention
Colonel Roosevelt for
president. / am not making this
statement in the interest OF Mr.. Sells. |
or against DR.. Masser but merely |
stating the situation as it is, and as it
will necessarily appear in the APP
preaching campaigH.
II we are to succeed, we mnst take |
the situation as 10 is, and l suggest |
that there must be an organization
and such action as to congressional |
as may subserve the inter-
ssts of the party and the people who
are really interested in progressive
government both now and hereafter.
The people should speak out in this
and let the question be settled
one way or the other. II they favor
candidates, ideas and gov
,rnment, they will have to say SO; If
hey do not favor sach ideas, then les
he matter drag along as it is,-Bristol
.---.-=----
FAIR EXCHANGE.