The Newport plain talk. (Newport, Tenn.) 1909-1939, 1912-08-29
Leaders Threaten to Call a
Convention at a Very
Early Date.
DON'T LIKE WHISKY PLANK
The Independents Who Have
Been Sincere in Their Fight
Not Satisfied With the Way
Things Are Going and Offer
Some Criticism of Attorney
General Chas. T. Gates.

Nashville, Tenn, Aug. 23-lnde-
pendent democrats are not going to
wait any longer, but immediate action
will be taken, if reports can be relied
upon, to gather their hosts here in
mass convention TO take action rela-
tive to the legislative situation, and
discuss the question of putting out a
candidate for governor ana railroad
commissioner
A meeting or conference will be cali
ed in the immediate future, probably
the first of next week, for the purpose
of issuing the call, arranging a
date fixing the matters to come before
the convention, and deciding all de-
tails pertaining to it. The mass con-
vention will very likely be held dur
ing state fair week, which is Septem-
ber 1921. Independent mass meet
ings will be called in all counties about
the first Monday in September, for the
purpose Of arranging to send delega-
tions to the mass convention.
These are the result of a conferences
held this afternoon here. at which it
was decided that the time had come
to act, that nothing is TO be gained by
waiting longer on any recalcitrant
leader, or for any other purpose. This
determination was reached despite the
fact that Wednesday it was agreed
that ten days wait would be allowed
for the purpose OF trying to get the
primary called off. 1t is now believed
that such an attempt would be unsuc-
cessfull, and would only waste valu-
able time. Itis a further fact that no
one is actively engaged in any at
tempt to get the primary resclnded.
Senator Lea has returned to Wash
ington, Gen. Chas. 7. Gates, Jr., said
nothing and returned TO East Tennes-
see, and the organization of indepen-
dents already started will be pro-
secuted to completion.
The report here that General Gates
said that he would not accept fusion
nomination for the senate is denied
Whether ne made the statement or
not is question, as he would submit
to no interview, but it was generally
talked and accepted as fact that such
was his position. 1t is also said now
that he will, in case he does not inter
the primary, stump the state for Nc
Millin. This is also said to. be a decided
error General Gates, did say that he
would support McMillin, and he seems
now to be in position where he can
make no denial of this last report. Gen
eral Gates has hurt himself to great
extent with the independents. The
rank and HE are much disappointed at
the stand he has taken. Many are
now of the opinion that General Gates
showed himself ready to forget the
principles fought for two year ago for
the sake of seat in the senate.
A question for the approaching mass
convention of independents to decide
is whether to put out a candidate for
governor or not. This seems now to
depend on what th. republicans will
do. If the republican are going after
the election of senator to succeed
Sandars, the independents will put
out a ticket for state officers, and meet
ly run them to perfect their organiza-
tion. If Sanders announces that he is
not candidate for reelection, there
will again be fusion on the gov
ernorship, and the United States Sena-
tor, while some believe the republicans
will also be allowed the candidate for
railroad commissioner. 1t seems now
that this convention will endorse
Hooper and the republican candidate
for railroad commissioner, while the
republicans will agree to support an
independent democrat for United
Statet Senator.
For the republican state committee
meeting Senator SanGers is expected
here as guest of the committee. Also
w. j. Oliver, l.. w. Dutro of Mem
phis, Jesse Cotterll of Chattanooga,
and Others have been invited to be
present.