The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1914-06-19
Nh. Rys-some Objections to Him.

1 DctS VI tfc Douy. 4neot are the true
guardians Of the State. Plato.
OF course, Mr.. Rye's friends will pro.
claim all his excelIencies of character
and conduct, and | doubt not that he
has them, so l do not mean to be UNI
generous because / point out only those
things about Mr.. Rye to which object.
Neither do / mean to cast any rehec-
tons upon either the wisdom or integ-
rity Of his supporters simply because
they are for Rye, for some of them are
among our most worthy citizens and
substantial temperance people for whom
personally have a very high regard.
But do ask to be allowed to speak out
candidly and directly as l may what 1
have to say about Mr.. Rye and his posi-
ton politically, and let readers remem-
Der that in short article one can not
be very explanatory or liberal in the use
OF modifying words or phrases.
Mr.. Rye, ! believe ! am safe in say
ing, viii have the united support of the
liquor element, consequently if he
should be elected he would be under
considerable obligations to the liquor
people, and, therefore, would be seri-
ously handicapped, il he is a man OF
generosity, by sense OF personal obi
cation to his constituents Of the liquor
gang, in any effort that he migut wish
to make for the suppression OF their
business. That he would attempt any
serious. interference with the liquor bus'
mess in the face OF such obstacle, / very
much doubt. His election, fear, would
mean dead check to temperance legis-
ton, if not an undoing Of some exist
ing temperance laws.
Mr.. Rye supported Governor Patter-
son when Patterson was out and out
opposed to the Statewide law and was
known friend of the liquor business
Il believe that Mr.. Patterson is diff
ferent man now) Can anybody believe,
then, that at that time Mr.. Rye was a
prohibitionist at heart? / do not say he
was not. And what evidence have we
that he is for temperance now, except
for policy sake9 You say that he is out
on temperance platform ESQ it is--it
is not prohibition platform), but | tell
you plainly that that amounts to moth
ing If Rye himself is not temperance
man from principle and undying con-
viction. A man can only act out what
be is--he win do that in spite Of all
promises and platforms whatsoever.
How often are we deceived by men who
promise with the tongue but have moth
ing at heart.
Mr.. Rye owes his nomination to Luke
Lea more than to any other. II he
should be elected he would be under
heavy obligations to Lea, and OF course
he would know it. Lea's record shows
that he is domineering and unscrupu-
lousy ambitious for power. Conse-
vuently he would in all probability try
TO dictate Mr.. Rye's administration and
so be the real Governor; and that Lea
would succeed in that think must APP
pear more than possible to everyone.
If Rye is not very stern man or deaf
to the appeals Of gratitude, he would
evidently be subservient to Lea, and
that would mean Lea's complete DOM
nance of Tennessee politics and per-
haps the triumph Of the liquor people
with whom Lea seems to be yoked up.
We certainly are not credulous enough
to hope for anything from Lea except
what may serve his own interest. You
say that the main liquor delegations in
the convention at Nashville we're OPP
pose to Lea and Rye. l tell you that |
believe that was all trick to deceive
the Independents. The whole thing
was cut and dried.
Mr.. Rye says that he is opposed to
The Removals Bill or to any legislation
looking to giving the Governor the pow
Or to remove delinquent officials. Gen.
.lemen, the law ought to be enforced,
lereIict officials ought to.be put down,
common sense teaches us that. Some
one ought to have the power to put
hem down. The Governor is the logi-
:al head of the State government Prop
,rly, it seems to me, he is the one to
have that power, and il it takes such
measure to have the law enforced, let
IS have tive must enforce the law. The
Governor is the chief executive without
he power to execute--a figure head
With hands and feet tied. Was situa-
ion ever more ridiculous? But we are
.fraid to give the Governor, or any one