The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1912-04-05
APPOINT A DEMOCRAT.

APPOINT A DEMOCRAT.
Tennessee is a democratic state A
majority of the people OF Tennessee
believe in the cardinal principles OF
the democratic party. In every cleo
ton since 1872 a majority Of the cleo
tors Of the state have voted for the
principles of the national democracy
However, twice within that time re-
publican governors have been elect
ed. but their election has been due
entirely to schisms in the democrat
IL party as a result of differences
over purely state issues. When Haw-
kins was elected in 1880 Hancock
carried the state. When Hooper was
elected in 1910 eight of the ten con-
gressional districts elected democrats
70 the house OF representatives.
Hooper carried the ninth district, the
Gibralter of democracy, but Finis
Garrett, the democratic candidate on
national issues, was elected to con-
gress by more than 10000 majority.
Gov. Hooper was elected, not as a
republican, but in spite Of his repub-
licanism. He received the votes of
$4,000 democrats, without whom he
could not have been elected. A large
majority of the Confederate soldiers
of the state voted for him, not be-
cause he was republican but be-
cause he represented their ideas upon
non-partisan, state issues. The cam
paign of two years ago involved is
sues that were above and beyond par
tisan politics and Gov. Hooper re-
peatedly said so in his speeches. Re
publicans and democrats who voted
for Hooper were united in their de-
mand for good government, for tenn
perance and for the enforcement Of
the laws, just as were the republi-
cans and democrats who voted for
Bob Taylor united in their ideas of
state government
In view of these known facts Gov.
Hooper cannot do otherwise than ap.
point a democrat to succeed the late
Senator Taylor. To name republi.
can would be a breach Of faith with
the $4,000 democrats who voted fol-
him. It would be an act of bad faith
that would be quickly and emphatic
ally resented. Gov. Hooper has no war
rant for believing that the appoint
ment OF republican would reflect
che will of the people whose votes
made him governor. On the contra
~ there Is every evidence to prove
that such an appointment would no
reflect the will Of the Governor
supporters. To name republican
would be to use power for partisan
purposes that was conferred
wholly for non-partisan reasons. TIL
republican party would not profit b,
such IN appointment, but on the 9th
er hand the cause of good govern
ment, law enforcement and homes
elections would suffer a tremendou
set back. Gov. Hooper cannot al
ford to jeopardize all these pera
mount interests even to crafty pal
tisan desire
The Herald insists that a demo
crat be appointed as Senator Taylor
successor. Before the people or |
the legislature a republican would nc
have a ghost of a show for election
In making his appointments the Co
ernor should show some regard &c
the will of the people. A democrs
would represent majority of HI
people: a republican would not.
The Issue is squarely up to Go
Hooper. Will he appoint senate
who will represent Tennessee at tt
capital as a majority of her Peep
would be represented, or will he a
point senator who will represel
only minority of the people? WI
he be true to the cause Of good go
eminent or will he jeopardize all
tie glorious results Of the rece
campaigns by making partisan a
pointment?
WHERE ARE WE ATT