The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1914-10-29


attorneys. he said he did not He wa.
then asked If he thought Gov. Hooper
approved of their action in the matter
His answer was: Well, don't know
He did not scold them any
ut is painful to me to have to re-
veal this condition of affairs; to sec
the law enforcement question made a
political football; to see the Tennes-
see Anti-saloon League made a parti-
san political adjunct by the action of a
few partisan members of the govern
ing body that acted on Oct Is. By
so doing they have precluded the nee
essity of Gov. Hooper's carrying out
suggestion which he made to me on
more than one occasion, namely, that
they would organize league of their
own if the antisaloon league did not
do so and so. am quite sure, how
ever, that he has understood from the
beginning that 1 would never submit
to antisaloon league becoming part
Of any political organization,
Il am charitable enough to still con-
cede that Gov. Hooper would stand
for temperance and law enforcement,
but that the taking care of his politi-
cal organization would have first con-
sideration. That he knows how to
build up political organization no
one will question. AS PROOF of this
fact, only few days ago a very ar
dent antisaloon and law enforcement
leader in the state, and WHO is also
very active in politics. said that he
was supporting Gov. Hooper for poll
teal reasons, but was thoroughly con-
WINGED thai he was not making pro-
hibition and law enforcement para
mount, stating at the same time that
the political machine that Gov. Pat
terson had built in Tennessee would
look like baby by the side of the one
Gov. Hooper had. He further stated
that the republican campaign had
more money than they had had in any
previous campaigns.
Crucified by Hooper Partisans.
I'm closing | wish to say that while
am being crucified by Hooper par
tisans, being charged with having
sold out, becoming traitor, and
presume having applied to me all the
uncomplimentary epithets that can be
thought of, l have the consciousness
of knowing that l have only done
what / have attempted to do since /
have been connected with the Tennes-
see Anti-Saloon League, namely, to
guard the principles of the organiza-
ton and prevent if possible, its be-
coming a partisan organization in VIC
lation of its principles While l must
look on and see the organization after
nine years connection with it become
divided, and at least temporarily Grip
Pied l confidently believe that my
position will in time be vindicated
and approved by a majority of the
friends of the league in the state; and
repeat what l said in my former
statement, that believe the cause of
prohibition is sufficiently established
in Tennessee to insure its .,preserva-
ton and ultimate triumph by more
effective law enforcement l feel sure
that if the league had been unhamper-
ed it could have done very much more
effective work in assisting in the cleo
ton of law enforcement Legislature
that would give the needed relief with
the election of either Gov. Hooper or
Gen. Rye. For this kind of a legis-
lature / shall continue to hope and
pray, and for which I shall work as
an individual to the extent of my
Trusting that an overruling provi-
dence will work triumphant victory
for the great cause, in spite of tie
weaknesses and differences of human
ity, and that the will of a majority of
the people of the state shall be speed
lily realized, l stand for genuine law
enforcement in Tennessee and nation
wide prohibition.
Respectfully submitted,
"W. R. HAMILTON"