The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1913-01-31
Gen. Chas. 7. Cat
es, Honored
General Charles T. Gates Jr.

who, though not elevated to tt
high office, yet added fresh laure
to the hOnors already his. Genera
Charles 7. Gates, attorney geners
OF the state, was centered upon b
the fusion forces or the last day {
the voting, and without his solicita
tion, as their one hope for victory ,
Not a single member Of the legis
laturo was ever requested by Gen era
Gates to give him his support, al
though friends urged him to pursue
such 4 course at time when a re-
quest from him and his presence il
Nashville meant additional strength
His splendid stand is now a matter
of political history. General Gates
was Il loyal friend both to Judge
Shields and to the principles for
which he and Judge Shields had
fought so successfully. AS long as
Judge Shields preserved his original
alignment, he had no more loyal
friend or supporter than General
Charlie II. Gates.
But General Gates would not fol-
low Judge Shields into the camp Of
Patterson, declining, il is Understood
to support him or any other candi-
date outside of the independent align,
ment, especially when that candi,
date was the leader around whom
the Patterson-Dibrell-Cox forces
sought to rebuild their political
fortunes At no time WAS he either
an active or receptive candidate for
the office of United States senator.
Earlier in the contest, in reply to
the earnest solicitation of his friends
he refused to permit his name to be
considered by the independent demo-
Gratis for their support, and this at
a time when their endorsement
meant almost certain victory.
Later, when the candidate en-
dorset by the independents had
withdrawn, not in anger, but that
the independents might be free to
select another candidate, who might
be able to prevent their defeat, and
1isorganizatIon and annihiIation al
most threatened the independents
politica alignment in the legislature ;
without his knowledge General Gates
name was suggested as the only can
lidate who could prevent demorali- I
,ation. Subsequently he was en- {
lorsed by the Independents, republi- I
ans and the Shelby county delega- &
ion. An endorsement hich form
rly would have meant victory then c
meant mos probably defeat The
nan who had declined to he a can j.
lidate when such endorsement a
neat probable success was willing
o sacrifice himself and to permit {
he use Of his name for the cause he b
oved when it meant almost certain e
efeat. General Cate was big 8
nough and brave enough to make
his sacrifice for the principles fo,
rhich he has fought so long and so
aliantly.
Tennessee needs men like General
ates in public life. His eIoquence, la
ear insight, keen logic and politi- a.
u sagacity easily place him in the b
ont rank Of any movement in n
hich he takes an interest. To his al
forts more than those of any other W
ian in the state the members of
le present supreme court owe their
aces upon the bench. The sacri- T
,e which resulted in his defeat has
ade HIM stronger than ever before n
e people of the state, who will es
7ait with impatience to bestow up Il,
him even a higher position than of
e one which his talents now aGlOrn.
General Gates position in the
cent senatorial election shows that tt
was willing to place friendship
owe political preferment, hut was
willing to retain friendship, even
the strongest, at the price of poll oe
al perfdy. Always a strong
In, he is stronger today than he
8 ever been. Ever a popular
ure, he enjoys even greater popu- b,c
ity than formerly Nashville
nnessean,