The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1912-12-26
QUESTIONS
FOR THE
GOVERNOR

carrying The governors public pape
that | was 'active' and in the fight TO
legislative organization. They botE
stated that a merciless campaign o
publicity would be waged and insin
mated that something sinful and crook
ed was about to be done.
1T was under these circumstances
that | replied to the attack of Hooper
and to my reply he says he cannot
stocp to exchange billingsgate. AS
cannot get him to quarrel with me
along that line, / will ask him to an
swer publicly few questions involv-
ing no billingsgate and requiring nc
tort to 'liquor agent. These questions
are short and simple, and the facts are
well known to Hooper.
''First-Who is the chief executive
officer in Memphis?
''Second-Does the chief executive
officer in Memphis control the saloons
and the police department?
''Third-How many saloons are run
ming in Memphis openly and motor
iously. according to your information?
"Fourth-Who absolutely controls
the eleven votes in the general assembly
from Memphis?
"Fifth-Have you agreed to help ell
ect one of these eleven speaker of the
house of representatives?
"Sixth-Have you begged the Hon.
T. b. Hughes, of Greene, to vote for
one of the eleven Memphis members,
and did you tell him you would take
care of his friends with appointments
if he would and that you would turn
out some men you now had in?
"Seventh-Did you tell the Hon, T.
b. Hughes that you would take care
of all the East Tennessee progressives
and republicans, including odd Boyer
if they would line up for Crumps man
for speaker?
"Eighth-Did you promise officers
to two other members in East Tennes-
see for their friends if they would line
up for your Memphis whisky man for
speaker of the house?
"Ninth-Did you tell another men,
Der that you wanted Newt White for
speaker of the senate so that if you were
elected United States senator you could
have man succeed you whom you
could control, and did you in that con-
nection say that White was a good |
man, but weak fellow, and that you
would and could control him if he sue
ceeded you, and in that way take care
of your friends?'
"Now if Hooper can answer these |
questions without employing his pat
ented phrase, liquor agent and 'bar
room bum, he will be entitled to the
thanks of the people of the state he is
as governor.
"It should not be forgotten that every
man who opposes him is promptly de-
a 'liquor agent The late
beloved Senator Robert l.. TAYLOR
whose heart was as red as the crimson
lush of summer sunset, and whose
soul was as white as the driven snow
was SO denounced time and again by
his conceited and unworthy popinjay.
Every man who opposes him becomes
victim of his wrath. He has gathered
about him set of designing men and
lie profanes the temple of God by as
uming to do everything in the interest ,
VI higher morality. If he wants to put I.
through dirty political bargain he
Ices it in the name of temperance. If he /,
wants to bride member of the legis- !,
allure by giving him state office he :
attempts il in the name of high NOR.
'lity. In the sacred name of God and
morality he is attempting to elect a
peaker Of the housewife will not
eny that he is absolutely owned politi-
ally by the mayor of Memphis and
he mayor of Memphis sells LOO sa- :
oons the right to stay open and dis
lay their goods in the show windows
a open defiance OF the law Hooper was
worn TO enforce. And in this situa-
ion he threatens publicity. He and
he Banner are going to publicly ex- :
ose every man who opposes them. l
invite them to open their batteries and
D the lame bull Of the Banner I doff
ny sombrero and say to him that have
number of good incidents in nv :
lemory and in my records regarding =
i'm that curious public would love
read and when he begins his CAM
align of publicity i shall offer these =
Kings to him for publication. Pub. y
city' sSure. Let it come and let il II
e war TO the knife; knife to the hilt q
nd damned be he who first shows the a
elbow streak. 81
For my part | shall not submit to +
lie bullying of Hooper and his organ,
nd while dislike to engage in this
ind of political warfare they have =
reed it. When | express prefer u
ice for the United States senatorship .
such men as Thomas r. Preston or l
ames b. Frazier or Charles T. Gates =
all Of whom ! like personally :,
copper yells Liquor agentv But g
hen he deals with the king of the .
We people in lawless Memphis he as Il
lines to do it in the name of temper.