The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1914-11-12

veloped surprising and deserving
strength.
His opponent was a Confederate
soldier. In the last days of the cam
paign his Confederate record was at
tackled. The fact that a Confederate
soldier was campaign partner with
a republican did not set as well with
many Confederates as the managers
hoped.
Sadler was not strong in East Ten
nessee because the East Tennessee
republicans yet hates anything that
smacks of the Confederacy.
The character of the fight made on
WEIGH was also intolerant and unfair,
and these tactics, instead Of making
votes, lost them.
Ben w. Hooper passes-until there
is another revolution IN Tennessee
from state politics.
His career has been remarkable. An
orphan, he alone began to work out
his career.
AS former member of the legis-
lature he was inconspicuous but eff
cient. AS lawyer he was not bril-
liant, but he was thorough. He is
not man of magnetism, but he is
able to impress people with his sin
certify. To those most intimate with
him, he is hard to understand.
Hooper himself is a master Judge
of other people and can measure to
absolute exactness the effect of a
given cause.
Ten days before he was nominated
for governor half of the people of
Tennessee did not know that such a
man existed. Republican leaders three
days before the convention gave his
candidacy little consideration.
The day previous to his nomination
Hooper told a reporter for the Com
mercial Appeal in Nashville that he
would be nominated. At that time
his name was scarcely mentioned.
When Hooper was nominated every
body was surprised buthimself.
Bob Taylor came down from the
senate and attempted to draw togeth-
er the disorganized and conflicting
democrats. Bob Taylor's marvellous
power over the people availed him
nothing as against Hooper.
Hooper on the stump was not i'm
pressive, but he was far-reaching and
people remembered what he said.
Hooper was nominated and elected
over Benton McMillin. That cam
paign showed Hooper's strength be-
cause he was still able to hold nor
NAL democrats as supporters of his
cause. The sweep of the power of
Wilson should have elected McMillin,
but even this obstacle Hooper over
came.
There have been some glaring weak
nesses in Hooper's administration, but
Hooper succeeded in convincing many
people that these faults were not
chargeable to him.
Along certain lines of social endeav-
or, such as the parole system, child
welfare, the improvement of hospitals
for the insane, Hooper has shown a
kindly and intelligent interest.
But the chief issue on which he
stood has been settled His third run
ming was also against him. Many peo-
pie felt that his continuance in office
would mean a continuance of the strife
that has marked Capitol Hill at ev-
cry meeting of the legislature for
four years.
1t is, remarkable thing that Ben
Hooper was first elected governor of
Tennessee. 1t was surprising that he |
beat McMillin. In this campaign he |
had the democrats pretty badly scar
ed.
He was beaten because Tennessee |
is normally a democratic state and |
people began to tire of agitation and |
confusion and felt that a continuance
Of Hooper in power with an opposing |
legislature would mean a continuance |
Of disorder.
Gov.-Elect Rye has assumed tre-
mendous responsibility. He must not |
only carry out his pledges, but he
must see that his party carries out |
It's pledges.
who temporarily united in voting for
him, who for eight years have been
lighting one another.
His opportunity is magnificent. If |
ne can turn away from politics and /
political questions and center it upon
he things of real value, then he will |
10 a great service.
The finances of Tennessee are in
BAD way.
The public schools of Tennessee are
lot as efficiently managed as they
should be.
We have made some progress in
public education, but there must be
more progress. Our state university
must be encouraged. Our normal
schools must be developed.
There should be an agricultural
high school in every county in the
state.
Every county seat should be linked
o every county seat with macadam
'oad.
The work of rebuilding the soil of
Tennessee should be encouraged. Di-
agriculture in West Tennes-
zee should be encouraged.
More capital should be invited into
Tennessee which could be used in
from the earth it's mineral
md used in manufacturing much of
he raw material this state produces.
Possibly Gov. Rye may bring about
/ constitutional convention.
There is a splendid opportunity for
1ov.-Elect Rye, and The Commercial
Appeal hopes and believes that he will
De equal to memphis Commercial
Appeal.