The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1914-10-22
EXPRESSES HOPE
RYE AND WEIGH
WILL BE ELECTED
Can Not Speak IN This Campaign
Because Time Under Contract
with Anti-Saloon League.

Nashville, Oct. 19.-EX-Gov. Malcolm
r. Patterson, in letter to Perry L.
Harmed, secretary of the state demo-
cratic executive committee, expresses
very earnest hopes for the success of
Mr.. Rye for governor and Mr.. WEIGH
for railroad commissioner" Mr.. Pat
terson says he cannot take part in the
campaign this fall, as his time is un-
der contract with the National Anti
Saloon league.
THAT men whom regard as un-
worthy are selfishly advocating Mr..
Rye's election does not alter the situa-
tion," says the ex-governor, "for if
they should receive undue favors from
Mr.. Rye, or he should connive in Office
with their schemes, either they tor l
and the democratic masses in Tennes-
see will be mistaken"
Mr.. Patterson takes occasion to ex-
press vigorously his belief in the
policy of prohibition.
Following is the correspondence on
the subject between Mr.. Harmed and
ex-Gov. Patterson:
Nashville, Tenn, Sept "a, 1914.
Hon. M. r. Patterson, Chicago, Ill
My Dear Sir-I am writing to know
whether it will be possible for you to
make some speeches in the interest of
the democratic party during the pres
ent campaign. If so, we shall be glad
to make such engagements as will best
suit your convenience.
Hoping that we may have an early
reply, beg to remain, most respect
fully.
p. L. HARMED, Secretary.
Mr.. Patterson's reply:
Hon. p. L. Harmed, Secretary State
Democratic Executive Committee,
Nashville, Tenn.
My Dear Sir-Your favor requesting
that, # possible, make some speeches
for the democratic ticket was not re-
ceiyed until recently, which explains
the delay in replying. cannot take
part in the campaign this fall, as l
explained to you when in Nashville,
owing to the fact that my time is un-
der contract with the National Anti
Saloon league. After leaving Chicago,
l will speak in Wisconsin, am then ad-
vertised in the Ohio campaign for pro-
hibition, where will be until Nov. /,
reaching home only in time to vote.
However, earnestly hope for the sue
cess of Mr.. Rye for governor, and Mr..
Welch for railroad commissioner, as
these gentlemen are the regular nomi-
nees and l think in every way worthy
of the support of democrats.
As you, and others in the state
know, have come to regard the alb
solute prohibition of the liquor traffic
as the greatest issue before the Amer
lean people, and in Tennessee regard
the enforcement OF law and obedience
to its mandates as the chief obligation
Of the official and the first duty of the
citizen. My former position on this
question does not concern me, even
though it should others, for when l
held and maintained it believed it
was right and that prohibition was
1nly dream of agitated reformers,
impractical, confusing. causing more
lis than 1t cured. My viewpoint has
as have frankly stated, and
ny former opinions have adjusted
themselves to the truth of what have
It last 0iscovered-that social wrongs,
greed, graft and cunning, the corrup-
ion of cities, the decadence of COM
nunity and state pride, can all be more
certainly traced to the liquor evil
han to any other cause or all other
.auses combined.
l now believe in the sanity and GER
ainty Of the eradicition Of this evil,
md that 1t means more for the happi-
less and progress Of the race than any
eforms to which men may devote
The only regret OF my
,ublic life is that l could not see and
understand this, as do now, and that
'thers we're misled by my advocacy of
conceptions Of the right at
itude of government towards the
iquor trafiic.
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