The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1913-11-28

qooeIiohS iIom common viewpoint.
The Question OF Independent DEM
ocrats.
Within a little while the question
will be presented to independent dem
ocrats whether they will continue In
1914 the same course so honorably
and successfully pursued by them for
the last five years, or whether they
shall abandon this course, discard
their organization and submerge their
identity.
Record of Fusion In Tennessee.
The fusion movement has contrib
uted one Of the most notable chap
tiers to the history of American poll
tics. 1t has no parallel in any other
state in uniqueness of character, per-
sistence Of purpose and wealth of
achievement It has wrought more
deeply than does the temporary wave
Of reform which occasionally agitates
the surface of political stagnation. It's
results have been more permanent
than those which customarily follow
the quick thunder storms of popular
indignation. 1t has had in it the
steady lift of the sun and the con-
slant pull of the force of gravity.
Born of an honest purpose to bet
ter governmental conditions in Ten
nessee, 1t has refused to follow the
devious meanderings of individual
ambition, and has declined to be
sweryed by considerations of nation
al politics or to be controlled by the
promised reward or the threatened
deprivation Of federal patronage.
When men have proclaimed that
there can be no successful govern
ment without responsible party or
ganization, the fusion movement has
answered with dual organizations, alb
solutely separate, yet harmonious
and effective.
when leaders have conceived it
to be their selfish advantage to for
sake the fusion movement, the rank
and the file of the people have swept
straight ahead like a victorious army.
When prophets of evil have pre-
dicted that the temperance element of
republicans and democrats could not
properly administer the state govern.
ment because they were of one idea
the fusionists have responded with a
successful legislative program broad
and progressive and with an admins.
tration of the state departments vast
ly improved.
What Has Fusion Done?
What has been accomplished by
the combination of independent dem
ocrats and republicans? Let me terse
ly recapitulate, lest we forget.
Il. The enactment of state wide
law prohibiting the manufacture ant
sale Of intoxicating beverages.
20. The removal Of the govern
'ment of this state from under the cor
rupt and tyranical control of the liq
uor interests and their allied vices.
''3. The enactment and admins
tration of an election law which ha'
made it possible for Tennessee citi
zen to have his vote counted as cast
Without this law our elections woul,
be travesty on popular government
and the clean citizenship of Tennes
: see would be at the mercy of politica
crooks.
"a. Against the desperate on
slaughts Of the liquor interests, W
have so far held this election lay
upon the statute books in spite c
treachery from within and corruptio
! from without.
j. 20. From our movement has pre-
q ceeded the earnest and unceasing a,
}. itation in favor of the enforcement {
the laws, which has resulted in arou
ing criminal judges from their letl
I argy and has placed on the statut
It books part of the law enforcemeI
j. legislation for which we have tough
l. &C. This movement discontinue
IS the disgraceful abuse of executiv
e clemency and the odium of pardo
l. brokerage.
s. 81. 1t elected ten appellate Judge
y for a term Of eight years, in orde
e. that our courts of last resort migl
II be untrammeled by private or polit
n cal interests.
% IS. 1t has built up the publ
school system, greatly increased ii
r appropriation for education, promo
If ed the cause of consolidated school
y established compulsory education, r
D. formed the method Of examinin
n teachers and kept the educational d
partment out Of politics.
Of 80. 1t has revolutionized the woI
lie of the agricultural department ar
is made it serve the farmers rather tina