The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1913-01-31
SENATOR JOHN X. SHIELDS.

SENATOR JOHN K. SHIELDS
That Judge John X. Shields will
make this state an able and consci-
entious representative in the senate
of the United States all will admit
He is one of the strongest men In
public life in the state. Until his en-
trance in the contest for senator az
the candidate of the Patterson-Dib-
rellCox reactionary forces in Ten
Hessee, he was beloved more than
any other nam by the good govern
ment forces. He had been the ac-
knowledged leader of that element
since the death of the lamented Car
mack
Judge Shields is a great lawyer. AS
a Judge upon the highest court of the
state he has measured up to the very
highest standard. His judicial
record is without faint or blemish OF
magnetic personality; unusual force
of character ard exceptional native
intellect, judge Shields has perhaps
the strongest personal following OF
any man in Tennessee. He has been
the dominant factor OF the supreme
court of this state for the past ten
years, the involuntary tribute OF his
colleagues to his superior ability and
strength of character.
Judge Shields private life has
been clean. His public career has
been useful and brilliant. He is ex
ceptionally well equipped for the SEN
ate. He should make this state a
great senator and will, we have no
doubt, soon forge TO the front in that
distinguished body. While never
radical Judge Shields belongs to the
progressive democracy of the state
and will use his power as senator
to uphold the administration of Pres
ident Wilson.
However, much as we admire Judge
Shields great abilities and profound
ly as we respect him as a man, we do
not deny that we are disappointed at
the manner of his election. Under the
circumstances his success was dis
tinct victory for the reactionaries
/, in Tennessee politics. 1t means that
Patterson and Dibrell and Cox are
once more powers for evil in the DEM
0cratic party and the affairs of this
state. He was chosen in the main
by votes of those whom he has oppos-
ed all of his political career. More
than three-fourths of those who voted
to elect him senator bitterly assail-
ed him when two years ago he led
q successful revolution in Tennessee
against the Patterson machine
regard for Shields or any sympathy
whatever with his political views or
allignments. They voted for him
because they thought that by elect.
ing him they could destroy the forces
of good government in Tennessee.
In his election they have defeated
the leaders who made possible the
election of legislature that would |
not name Patterson to the Senate.
Nine out of ten of the regulars"
who voted fer Shields would infinite
ly have preferred to elect Patterson
However, what they could not &C
complish directly they have achieved
by indirection. Patterson and Dbl
rell and Cox are once more powerful |
factors in the affairs of this state |
and flushed by this victory they |
may succeed in debating every
officer to be elected by the general |
assembly.
The Herald regrets that Judge |
Shields will leave the supreme bench. |
He is the ablest and strongest mem
Der of that court. His candidacy, !
under existing conditions, was not in |
line with the principle upon which |
he made his great campaign for re-