The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1917-19??, 1918-06-29
THE OPPOSITION TO
SENATOR SHIELDS
BY II. NJ. DOak

Just at this time, Wnen the clVlBZ~
ed world is engaged in great war
and straining every nerve and sinew
to rid the earth of Prussian demina-
ton, a senatorial primary is to chose
senator to succeed Hon. John X.
Shields. The popular view is that he
ought to succeed himself. No sound
reason, or one that will stand mo-
ment's analysis, why he should not
has yet been set out.
Judge Shields was practicing law
at Knoxville when he was elected to
serve on the supreme bench of Ten
nessee. None in the state stood high r.
err as man or as lawyer. No judge
ever left the bench with a clearer
record for high judicial attainment
or with more of public respect for
him as a man. Because of his great
ability, and especially for his pro-
found knowledge of constitutional
law, he was chosen by the legislature
to represent Tennessee in the senate
of the United States
He is now a candidate to succeed
himself after years of service at
trying time in which he has so faith
fully discharged his duties that no
criticism of any public act of his Is
heard. His senatorial record is be-
fore the public. The senate journal
and the proceedings of that body show
how he has discharged his duties, how
he has voted upon public measures
and what laws of public importance
he has advocated,
That record shows that ne has been
a warm, constant and consistent sup
porter of the administration in the
one matter of present Importance TO
the people of America, and to the peo-
pie of Tennessee. His broad, prac-
teal knowledge of constitutional law
has been of the greatest value at cru
cial moments respecting measures OF
the utmost Importance, conferring,
enlarging and defining the powers OF
the President. 1t was of vital impor-
lance that such measures should be
enacted of supreme moment that they
should be kept free from constitu-
tional objections. Just here Senator
Shields aid was invaluable. He is
known, trusted and relied upon by
the administration in its vast work
aimed at the destruction of German
oliagarchial military power for now
and for forever.
So far as observation, reading and
hearing goes, but one public OPINION
prevails in Tennessee. That this IS
not a time for politics-nor time Tor
personal and private ambitions-that
Senator Shields should be retained IN
the senate because he has done, is do
ing and may be trusted to go on dong
his duty as a senator upon all lines
especially upon the supreme and only
line of the slightest present impor-
lance. This view is along the line OF
Me. wilson's notion that politics
should be adjourned. To this view
but very slight dissent has been
heard.
There is a faint present note OF
discord. In some quarters are heard
whispered objections to the re-elec-
ton of Senator Shields. Just why, for
what, precise reason, is probably only
known to those who sound the daily
note of dissent-and of discord. That
the reason-whatever it is grows out
Of past politics is, inferntially, GER
tain. 1t is equally certain that it is
not based upon any question of pub
lie policy, past, present or future. 1t
cannot be founded upon any profound
difference of opinion as to any great
measure affecting the State of Ten
nessee or its people, or the people OF
the United States.
Up to this time the only argument
used by those who oppose the nomi-