The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1912-01-05
CALLED
FROM TENNESSEE
BY THE PRESIDENT
GOVERNOR HOOPER AND LEE
BROCK AMONG THOSE WHO
ARE SUMMONED.
HOUK INTERVIEW The CAUSE
Chief Executive Wants information
AZ to Growth Of opposition.-Rosy
Tales Whispered Into Tiafts Ears
Hint at Capture of Tennessee.

MINT AZ SaptuIo W sS"USoSOS'
WASHINGTON, Dec. 29.-Since
the warlike declaration Of former
Congressman John G. Houk and
State Treasurer Taylor with refer
ence to the denomination Of Presi-
dent Taft, the White House has be-
gun to take notice Of Tennessee re-
publicans without regard to person
atty or. fraction. Lee Brock, the
we'll known republican leader from
Nashville, was at the White House
today by invitation of the President,
and Governor Hooper is understood
to be on his way to Washington In
response to a letter Of invitation
from the chirf executive. Other re-
publicans of note need not be sur
prised should they receive letters on
White House stationery requesting
their presence in Washington. Mr..
Taft is out for another term, and
having heard the mutterings from
the south in oposition to his nomina-
ton, Is determined to leave no stone
unturned to line up the delegates
from south Of the Mason an dDixon
line in his behalf.
The Houk interview In The Ten
nessean and American, declaring
that Tennessee republicans favor the
nomination of former President
Roosevelt, was promptly called to
the Presidents attention, and that
is said to be one of the reasons for
invitations that are being extended
to state republicans to visit the
White House.
The Taft program is to get the var
ious state delegations to the republi-
can national convention selected as
early as possible. The occupant of
the White House is impressing upon
his political callers the importance
Of early action and the best means
for lining up the delegates. In some
states of the south, political plums
are being passed around to attract
the wary, but as Tennessee republi-
cans have more federal patronage to
their credit than any of the other
southern states. it is hardly prob
able that they will be the beneficiar-
les of any more good Offices.
In sending for Gov. Hooper the
President was doubtless actuated by
a desire to give recognition to the
Sanders faction. He has had num-
Der of conferences with Representa-
tive Austin regarding his political
fortunes in Tennessee, and naturally
he was anxious to get in touch with
a leader in the other faction.
The warfare of the Brownlow and
Sanders factions has never ceased,
Notwithstanding the fact that leaders
have changed, and it promises to be
very much to the front in the selec-
ton of delegates to the republican
national convention. This and ether
phases of the situation in Tennessee
are being threshed out at the White
House just now.
Representatives Austin and Sells,
Newell Sanders and State Treasurer
Taylor, all of whom have been to the
White House recently, have pictured
to Mr.. Taft the possibility that Ten
nessee may give its electrical votes
to the republican candidate. While
the President is most concerned
about his denomination just now, he
is impressed with the chances of the
republicans of Tennessee to carry
the state. If the democrats get to-
gether and work in harmony, Ten
nessee is safely democratic, and that
is what Mr.. Taft and other republi-
cans are hoping they will not do.
Tennessee democrats here believe
this phase Of the situation should
make a big impression on the demo
cracy Of the state.