The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1913-03-14

county of the state. If the governor
removed officials in the cities, his
apopintees would in turn be removed
by the machine-which once In pos
session of the election machiner,
would have no trouble in doing SO.
This is The practical politics OF the
situation, and we believe the gov
ernor will see it sooner or later
The conditions in the cities are
bad, but we see some light ahead
A majority of the commission ii
Chattanooga has declared for law en-
forcement. The Webb law will hell
enormously The governor will find
we believe, that it is best to work
out this problem under the present
laws, which already are strong and
need to secure their enforcement
only more courageous citizenship.
The above was written before Gov
Hooper's statement in reply to the
editorial In the Nashville Tennes-
sean was received. We see nothing
in this statement, however, to cause
us to change anything which is writ
ten above. The controversy over
what constituted the agreement be-
tween the independent democrats,
the republicans and the Shelby dele
cations does not affect the question
as to what is the best policy for the
state now. Friends of Gov. Hooper
differ from the governor himself as
to the terms OF the fusion agree
ment. Some of the strongest temp
erance men in the state, SO we have
been informed, took the position
then that it was in the interest of
their cause to protect both temper
ance laws and the election laws
against repeal and they were, there
fore, willing to agree with the Shelby
delegation that the status quo should
be maintained.
Those who know the men present
at that conference will not question
their sincerity or good faith. The
designing regulars knew the weak
point of this combination, and they
have attacked it successfully. They
have gone to Gov. Hopper on the one
side and said, "We will pass the law
enforcement measures for YOU"
then they have gone to Mayor C''ump
and said, III these measures are
passed, the officials of your city gov
eminent may be removed. Unless
you vote with us to repeal the cleo
ton laws, we will join with Hooper
so as to punish you" 1t takes no
expert mathematician to figure that
with Crnmp's forces added to the
regulars, they can repeal the cleo
ton laws. Gov. Hooper might make
a stronger appeal if he could prove
the election laws not in danger, but
he cannot do so. The governor is,
we feel sure, earnest and sincere: at
the same time, he ought to give
credit to some of his long tried
friends for equal sincerity and earn
He ought also to realize
hat he is entering fusion with
shrewd tricksters who have no fond
hess for the principles he advocates.
But, as stated above. whatever
might have ben the agreement with |
he Shelby delegation. the principal |
Dill as proposed by the governor is
lot, we believe, measure which |
pliers real hope for permanent i'm
With the election laws
'epealed and the machine again in
,ower, Gov. Hooper's appointees in
he four cities would not long re-
main In Office.
The best bill proposed by the gov
,rnor is the nuisance bill, and IL he
will confine his attention to that bill,
ome good may come of It, The other
measures would materially help the
he had better trust In the
development of a stronger sentiment
Imong the people of the different
communities for these laws. The
emperance cause will be very SER
ously weakened, we believe, If it de-
lends now on gubernatorial interfer-
nee for the enforcement of the laws.
This should, if ever resorted to, be
he last alternative.