The Newport plain talk. (Newport, Tenn.) 1909-1939, 1913-01-30
General Charles 7. Gates, Jr.


Out of the stnat orial contest just
closed there has emerged one man " no,
though not elevated to the high Office.
yet added fresh laureis to the hoDors
already his. General Charles r. Gates.
Encouragement IF The state. WAS cen
tered upon by the fusion forces on the
la>i day Of the voting, and without
his solicitation, as their one holc for
victory.
Not single member of the legisla-
lure was ever requested by General
Gates 10 give him his support, al
, though friends urged him TO pursue
such course al n time when a request
from him and his presence in Nash
lille meant additional strength. His
i splendid stand is now amatter Of poll
teal history. General Gates was a
| loyal friend both 10 Judge Shields and
| To The principle for which he and Judge
| Shields had fought so successfully. AS
t long as Judge Shields preserved his
original alignment, he had no more
loyal friend or supporter than General
Charles T. Gates.
But General Gates would not follow
Judge Shields into the camp Of Patt"r-
sob, declining, il is understood, tosup-
| port him or any other candidate out
side of the independent alignment,
especially when that candidate was
the leader around whom | he Patterson
Dibrell-CoX forces sought 10 rebuild
their political fortunes. Atm 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 solicitations of
his friends, he refused TO permit his
name TO beconsidered by the independ-
ent democIales for their support, and
this at lime when their endorsement
, meant almost certain victory.
Later, when the candidate endorsed
by he independents had Withdrawn,
enls might he free 10 select another
candidate, who might be able TO PIE
vent their defeat, and disorganizalion
and annililalion almost threatened
the independents political alignment
in the legislature, without his know
ledge General Gates name was sug-
gesled AS the only candidate who
could prevent decentralization. Suisse
quently he was endorsed by the indie
pendenls, republicans and the Shelby
! county delegation. An endorsement
which formerly would have meant
victory then meant probably defeat.
! The man who had declined to he u
| candidate when such endorsement
meant probably success was willing
! to sacriiice himself and 10 permit the
! use of his name for the cause re loved
| when it meant almost certain defeat.
General Gates was big enough and
brave enough TO make this sacrifice for
the principles for which he has fought
so long and so yaliantly,
Tennessee needs men like General
Gates in public life His eloquence,
| clear insight, keen, logic and political
Sagacily easily place him in the front
rank of any movement in which he
takes an interest. 70 his efforts more
than those of any other man in the
state the members of the present SUI
prcme court owe their places upon the
bench. The sacrifice which resulted
in his defeat has made him stronger
| than ever before the people ofthe state,
who viii await with impotence 10 be-
stow upon him even higher position
than the one which his talents now
adorn.
General Gates position in the recent
senatorial election shows that he was
willing TO place friendship above pol
iticai preferment, but was unwilling to
retain friendship, even Of thestrongest,
at the price of political perfidy. Al
ways a strong man, he is stronger
today than he has ever been. Ever q
popular figure, he enjoys even greater
popularity than formeriy.--N sshyille
Tennessean.