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


ed to any declaration being made anC
acted accordingly
Questions Asked Carrie.
"As Dr. Care, it seems, was author
lied to speak for the committee, l will
ask him the following questions:
Il. Did not the headquarters com.
mittee, at their meetings called tC
consider my resignation, even propose
that l would have the right to state
privately to inquiring friends that the
league was not taking sides in the
fgubernatorial contest?
"2. Was not a proposition like this
submitted to me: If the state COM
mittee is called together and will in
terpret its action of Sept. "a so as to
instruct its superintendent to say to
the friends of the league that the anti
saloon league has taken no action in
reference to the gubernatorial candi-
dates, because it is nonpartisan or
ganization and would not indorse
either candidate, will you withdraw
your resignation?
| my reply was that / declined to use
my official position with the league as
a means to induce the committee to do
what they had declined to do when l
had put my views squarely and strong
1 W hat hn
possible for me to communicate pri-
vately with the friends of the league
of all factions, and that | would not
say privately what l was not permit
ted to say publicly.
"3. What influence caused the COM
mittee to change their attitude? 1t
cannot be my statement, for they give
other specific reasons for their &C
ton.
"A. Did not you, at the meeting of
the committee ON Sept. "a, after other
members of the committee present, the
field secretary and the superintendent,
had all expressed practically the same
opinion, namely, that the conditions
were such that the league as an or
ganization should be neutral address
the committee with an apology, say
ing that you had undergone change
of heart since the call of the commit
tee, having the night before read the
speeches OF Gen. Rye and Gov. Hoop
er, and that you considered their diff
ferent positions. on the removal law as
being a justifiable basis for the in
dorsement of Gov. Hooper?
%. In discussing the matter with
the field secretary and myselfAthe next
day after the meeting of Sept. "a, did
you not state that you believed the
fundamental principle of the league
involved in standing for the removal
law as advocated by Gov. Hooper, and
that you felt we should make our
fight for that, even if in so doing we
lost both branches of the legislature?
This in face of the fact that the league
had declared in favor of placing the
power of removal somewhere and did |
not specifically declare in favor of
placing it in the hands of the COVER
nor. Personally, may say that be-
lieve the power should be lodged with !
the governor for suspension or re-
moval If safeguarded. l am aware
that the reading public will not be in
in any personal controversy,
but refer to this matter thai. friends
of the league may understand that the
president of the Tennessee Anti-Sa-
loon league and its former superin-
tendent have widely different views
as to what constitutes the principles
Of the organization, and / make this
of his views and mine that
the fact may clearly appear that the
action of the committee in their in
1orsement of Gov. Hooper on Oct. Is
lid not represent the principles and
wishes of the Tennessee Anti-Saloon
league in general, as 1 understand
hem, but the partisan views of the
partisan faction that did so.
This is what they say:
"'* This action was taken in
with the nonpartisan prin-
,iples of the organization, and not in
he interest of particular candidate
,r particular political party. In
order that there may be no mistake
,r misunderstanding on this point.
he following specific reasons are as
signed for the action of the league:
Il. The difference in the platforms !
If the respective candidates.
"2. The official pronouncements of
he candidates on the issues in which I
he league is most vitality concerned. ,
"3. The records of the candidates. !
"a. The political alliance and sup I
,orters of the candidates. /,
This claim of nonpartisanship is ,
90 ridiculous to really need an an Il
iwer. 1t should be apparent to all !
nonpartisans that the small /
art of the executive committee pres +
mt at the meeting on Oct. Is threw to i
he winds the fundamental principles I
4 the great organization which claims /
o represent the Christian and moral q
orces of all parties. for an expedi- {
ncy, and seemingly without regard &
o the future welfare Of the organiza- n
ion. III