The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1914-07-17
NOTABLE RACE FOR
SUPREME JUDGE
REGULAR DEMOCRATS SEEK RE.
VENICE ON JUDGE SAM c.
WILLIAMS.
ELECTION LAW DECISION
Principal Cause of Their Objection to
His Candidacy - Asks Endorse
men of Fine Record on Bench.

Notwithstanding the fact that Judge
Sam C. Williams, appointed to the SUI
preme bench to fill the vacancy caused
by the election of Judge Shields to the
Senate, has given complete satistac-
tion to the lawyers and the public, and
that the people of Tennessee have en-
phatically declared in the last two jul
dicial elections that they favored the
endorsement of such service on the
part of their judges by reelection with
out regard to factional lines, the Reg
ular Democratic organization in Ten
nessee has nominated a candidate
against him, and is making strenuous
efforts to defeat him.
While there are, perhaps, other rea-
sons for this course on their part,
their principal objection to Judge Will
liams is that he was one of the three
Supreme Judges who knocked out the
unconstitutional election law passed
by the last Legislature. If this law
had stood the test of the courts, Meth,
er Republicans nor Independent Dem
ocrats would have had any genuine
representation in holding the elections
of the state. They would have been
turned over to the tender mercies OF
the Crump-Cox-Howse gang in the
large cities, and it would probably
have been ten years before Tennessee
would have seen another honest cleo
tion.
The whole scheme was intended to
rob all men of their rights at the polls
who might dare to oppose the Regular
organization. When Judge Williams,
under his oath of office, helped to
wreck this crooked scheme, the disap-
pointed Regular politicians swore ven
geance against him.
Their Candidate.
In looking around for a candidate
It was but natural that they should
select Mr.. Burrow, the friend, political
supporter and fellow townsman of
John /. Cox. Mr.. Burrow, during the
legislative fight in Sullivan County two
years ago, sought to keep the Inde-
pendent Democrats from opposing
John |. Cox for the legislature. Mr..
Burrow received his nomination at the
hands of the old Regular organization.
Judge Sam G. Williams, who has been
on the bench since the resignation of
Judge Shields, was appointed to the
position by Governor Hooper. This
fact in itself seems to be one OF the
reason the Regulars object to him, but
1t is such a narroW-minded and partl-
san reason that it will hardly find favor
with the impartial voters of the state.
Upon the death of Chief Justice
Beard, Governor Patterson appointed
Judge A. S. Buchanan, Regular Dem
ocrat, and Judge of fine standing, to
the bench, but the fact that he was
appointed by Governor Patterson did
not cause the Independent Democrats
and Republicans to oppose him for
election when he had shown his capa-
bilities as Judge.
Judge Williams was born in Gibson
County, in West Tennessee, but has
lived in Johnson City for more than
twenty years. He has established a
reputation there as a strong lawyer
and sound business man. He had
never been regarded as a politician
and had never been a candidate for
public Office.
When the fight for the Independent
judiciary came on in 1910, Judge Will
liams was a staunch supporter, OF the
Independent Democratic ticket. Fol
lowing this he supported Governor
Hooper in both his campaigns.
Judge Williams has made a record
on the bench that has won the appro-
baton of the bar and the people, and
the result is that he is drawing sup
port from men of all parties. He an
nounced his candidacy direct before
the people, submitting his claims
straight to them without passing them
through any political convention. He
received, however, the unanimous en-
dorsement of a great convention of In
dependent Democrats, and likewise the
unanimous endorsement of the Repub-
ican State convention and Of every Re-
publican county convention. In 1910
the famous Independent Democratic
judiciary ticket merely received the
endorsement of the Republican State
Committee and not of the state or
county conventions.
In addition to the support that he
is receiving from the Independent
LomOCrdJS ana hSpuDlICduS, uOh
partisan movement in his favor is be-
ing led by Regular Democratic mem
bers of the bar all over the state.
The Question at Issue.
With such a candidate. and such a
record presented the question at issue
is the same as that of 1910. On the
one hand is a political candidacy, con-
ceived in a political fight for office,
and backed by the old John l. Cox po'
litical faction.
On the other hand is a judge with
the record of Judge Williams, asking
endorsement of that record by a non
partisan election to the bench.
The question now up to the people
is, shall an Independent, non-partisan
Judge be elected, or shall the repre-
sentative of the old Regular Demo
cratic machine be placed on the Su,
preme bench?
Another question is, shall Judge VII.