davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Dresden enterprise and Sharon tribune. (Dresden, Tenn.) 1907-1997, 1918-02-14
NO PREFERMENT DESIRED
AT RISK TO COUNTRY

"And having fullest confidence in the
singleness of purpose, the wisdom ana
patriotism of our president, let me say TO
you frankly that If in his opinion the
reelection Of the senior senator ts de-
manded by reasons of state unknown to
me-or If his administration will be en-
barrassed by opposition to the senator
then and immediately upon becoming 50
advised I shall yield to the patriotic
Judgment of our great chief and en-
deavor to do my bit in some other held
of endeavor, to the best OF my ability
1T is my desire to put this matter be-
yond question: do not want l would
not take, preferment at even the posi-
bility of risk to the best interests OF my
country and my party But until our
great chief executive speaks, l respect
fully submit to you that no one else is
commissioned to speak for him, or to
say that the reelection of the senior
senator is essential to the plans of his
administration or the public good, or
that opposition to him will embarrass
this wartime administration.
Therefore seeing no reason or state
why l should not seek, and nothing OF
embarrassment to our party, or our
government in seeking your SURFACES,
you will permit me at this time to BRIEF
iy outline my views in respect of some
Of the great questions involving public
interests.
Dresden enterprise and Sharon tribune. (Dresden, Tenn.) 1907-1997, 1918-02-14
No Alarmist-But Uphold Arms
of President

81 would not have you look on me as
an alarmist, but would not be true to
myself or worthy of the honor sought
at your hands If l did not say to you
that in my opinion this war, into which
we were dragged by military despotism
mad with the lust Of conquest, has only
begun.
at is my deliberate judgment that
no other nation has ever done more in
the same length of time than has been
done by this country within the past ten
months to protect itself from a power
full, ruthless and conscienceless enemy.
1t may be true that some mistakes have
been made, but let us remember that
such is the history Of self-governing
people idealizing peace and unprepared
for and abhorring war; and because we
have not yet reached that aptitude for
and efficiency in preparedness and equip
ment for war; attained by the enemy
after half century of cunning, treach-
erous and persistent preparation for
world conquest, we must not grow over
critical, or feel discouraged because Of
conditions, nor hamper or discourage
our great leader by captious doubts or
querulous complaints, but stand ready
to uphold his arms, steadfast in faith
that his patriotism, wisdom and far
reaching craftsmanship will lead through
the shadows and dangers now besetting
us into the sunshine and security of
ultimate victory,
Dresden enterprise and Sharon tribune. (Dresden, Tenn.) 1907-1997, 1918-02-14
ANSWER TO PROPAGANDA

"It is not intended at this time and in
this way to submit fully and in detail,
as will be done hereafter, the reasons
i1npelling me to ask and the grounds
upon which I ask your support; but be-
fore briefly adverting to some Of them
it is my desire to make clear and un-
questioned my position in respect to a
claim, which If it be true would absolute
1y preclude me from seeking the nom1na-
ton at this time.
"I refer to the claim advanced on be-
half Of the senior senator from Tennes-
see to the effect that opposition to him
is embarrassing to this wartime admin
istration, and that his reelection is nee
essary to sustain our president in his
efforts to bring the war to a successful
conclusion. II either premise be sound
and true the conclusion claimed logic
ally follows. But at this time, looking
at the record, 1t has seemed to me that
the claim advanced is nothing more than
the propaganda of syndicated federal
offce-holders and some reacttonary
newspapers to camouhage the democracy
of Tennessee into retaining their favor
lite in office. It remains to be seen
whether those most alive in giving cur
rency to this propaganda are commits
stoned to speak for the president.
SIT IL known of all men that our great
chief executive does not hesitate in an
emergency to state-does not feel HIM
self at liberty to abstain from stating
what the emergency or public good re-
uuires. He has not failed to act on this
principle in every e1nergency-and even
in ordinary times has applied 1t in cases
Of senatorial candidates.
"While under ordinary conditions the
democrats of Tennessee would probably
question the right of the president to
make suggestions in reference to their
candidates for office, yet we are not hv-
Ing the calm and peaceful security OF or
binary times. These days Of peril are
fraught with danger, seen and unseen,
involving the security and happiness OF
millions yet unborn in this, our coun-
try. At such time who can doubt that
the president would speak If our country
would be endangered and his admins
tration embarrassed by opposition to the
senior senator?
Dresden enterprise and Sharon tribune. (Dresden, Tenn.) 1907-1997, 1918-02-14
Must Be No Interference from
Federal Officials

Now a word more. There is
much evidence and no little COM
plant that certain federal office-hold-
ers are showing great activity in all
matters political in this state. Let
me say that while every democrat
has the right to vote for whomso-
ever he chooses-that is the very
essence of democracy-yet no holder
of these Offices is commissioned or
has the right to use whatever of in
fluence may inhere in such office, be
it great or small, for the benefit Of
any candidate; nor does he have the
right to control or dictate nomina-
tions to offices of high or low de-
gree And If the power of federal
patronage and officials be attempted
to be used to influence the democracy
of Tennessee in their free choice of
a senator, no doubt ways can be
found to protect such officials from
the folly of their indiscreet viola
ton Of federal laws and from such
embezzlement Of official power.
Dresden enterprise and Sharon tribune. (Dresden, Tenn.) 1907-1997, 1918-02-14
No Offices to Allure, but Submits
Candidacy on Its Merits

"And now, with neither Offices to
dangle before the worthy, ambitious and
aspiring or to allure their support, nor
machine to override and overawe opposi-
ton, I submit my candidacy upon Its
merits to the democracy Of Tennessee,
promising when elected not to become
an office broker pedd1er in patronage
but to give not a scant half, but un-
renting time and the best that is in
me to the service Of our state and to
the duties Of the high office to which
aspire.
"And, while I may not hope to equal
the splendid achievements of Grundy, or
Bell or Harris, or Bate, or Carmack and
that long line Of senators who have re-
| flected honor on our commonwealth and
have emblazoned her history upon the
brightest pages of the republic, yet by
emulating these great exemplars in loyal
and, If need be- self-sacrificing devotion
and service to their country 1t Is my
hope to make such a record for you and
in your name as shall Justify your con-
fdence and support.
CHARLES T. Gates, JR."
Dresden enterprise and Sharon tribune. (Dresden, Tenn.) 1907-1997, 1918-02-14
Protect Our Boys in France from
Enemy in Their Rear

1.-THE frontiers Of our countrys seeur-
ity are today along the battle lines in
France. There the young manhood Of
this naItion-our bravest and best-wiH
grapple, yea, are graphing, with the
barbarous and brutal Hun that their
mothers and wives and sisters may live
secure and in honor at home-that their
fair land may not be ravaged as has
been unhappy Belgium; that American
democracy may not be enslaved to pay
the price of world conquest by German
autocraCy, and that government OF the
people, for the people and by the people
may not perish, but live, not only for
their own security and happiness, but
also to point the way to freedom and
security for the oppressed of all chimes.
"And while the young men Of our
country are battling in far lands and on
distant seas, let us stand ready for fur
Their sacrifices to give, and give, and
give all that may be necessary to their
support and comfort, and let us see to 1t
that neither their fighting efficiency nor
their comfort is endangered by the plots
of alien enemies behind them in their
own land, for we have cause to know
that in each alien enemy or his protect
or and sympathiZer there may be peril
to our homes, to our sons on the battle
fronts in France and to those keeping
ceaseless vigil on the seas. Recent de-
velopments and disclosures by our gov
eminent in relation to the machina-
lions Of Huns and their protectors living
by thousands in this country should
teach us to guard well against the alien
enemy within our gates, who holds no
faith in common with humanity, who is
bound by no compact, however sacred;
who processes friendship and practices
deceit and treachery, and who in the
name of his kultur would fill the world
with rapine and bestiality and murder
in their most horrid forms.
Dresden enterprise and Sharon tribune. (Dresden, Tenn.) 1907-1997, 1918-02-14
UNIVERSAL MILITARY
TRAINING

Believing that to be prepared for war
10 to safeguard the peace and happiness
of our country, am in favor Of sys-
tenn of universal military training.
whether this system should be inau-
gurated during the course and amid the
complex conditions of the war may be
open to question. It might interfere
with or SO confuse plans now being
worked out as to impede their progress
or cripple their efficiency. But, in my
opinion, at the earliest time consistent
with the country's needs ana interests
universal military training should be
made the fixed policy for national de-
fense
"Such a system, placing the sons Of
all classes, rich and poor alike, upon the
same footing in respect Of training and
education, 10 the most democratic ever
devised. Plans should be worked out
providing not only for military training
of our youths, but also permitting the
, carrying on, during such training, of
vocational studies, fitting them for the
duties of life-all at the expense Of the
general government, and which would
be insignificant compared with the enor-
nous sums necessary to carry on this
war. Such course of training, with ac-
companying educational facilities, might
be carried on in schools or colleges Spe-
cialIy designed for that purpose or
through and by means of institutions
of learning now in existence.
ut is not necessary to speak to the
people Of Tennessee, observant Of the
effects of military training upon their
sons for even a few months, as to the
benefits necessarily resultant from such
training, especially in teaching them
discipline and the best methods of car
ing for themselves. Such a system
would not be entirely novel to the people
of Tennessee. It's principle was APP
proved by our forefathers, who, early in
the last century, enacted laws requiring
Tennesseans between the ages of IS and
As to undergo military training for a
certain number of days each year. This
system was in force in Tennessee until
our Civil War.
TN my opinion it IL not going too faI
to say that If universal military train
ing had been established in this country
ten years ago, and at the outbreak Of
the war in Europe there had been behind
us and in reserve ten classes Of the
splendid young manhood Of our natior
trained in arms and fitted to care fol
themselves, with two or three classel
in actual training, the Hun emperor
would have hegitated long before HI
would have treacherously conspire6
against us or caused to be murdered
our women and children and destroyed
our property upon the free high seal
Of the world.
Dresden enterprise and Sharon tribune. (Dresden, Tenn.) 1907-1997, 1918-02-14

Gen. Chas. T. Gates, Jr., former dis
tinguished encouragement of Ten
nesseee has made formal announcement
of his candidacy for the democratic NOM
nation for United States senator.
Gen. Gates briefly touches upon mat
tiers of public concern at this time and
will later discuss issues and problems OF
government now before and to be be-
fore the people of the country.
Some of the daily newspapers of Ten.
nessee have been putting forth the argu-
ment that the return of Senator Shields
is necessary that he may be there to up
hold the hands of the President in the
conduct of the war. Gen. Gates pro-
poses at the very outset to cease the
prosecution of his candidacy in the event
President Wilson deems the presence OF
Senator Shields necessary or desired in
preference to that of another at this
time. He states that he desires nc
preferment at the risk to country.
The announcement is replete with
matters of interest to Tennesseans and
is well worth the reading.
The announcement in full follows:
THE activity of others and the wide
spread rumor sedulously circulated to
the effect that l will not be a candidate
seems to render necessary, thus early
the announcement of my purpose to seek
the democratic nomination for United
States senator in the general primary
election next August.
During these times, when the seri-
GUS consideration Of our people IL fixed
upon far graver matters arising out OF
the worldwide war, have been most re-
luctant to bring to their attention any
sembance Of personal aspirationi but
am not insenstble or indifferent to the
claims upon me Of democrats from all
sections Of our state, and animated by
the desire to give the best in me to the
service Of our country and to render
loyal and effective support to our great
chief executive in this time Of our coun-
try's peril, I shall ask in the primary
election a commsson from you to go be.
your candidate for United States sena-
tor.
Dresden enterprise and Sharon tribune. (Dresden, Tenn.) 1907-1997, 1918-02-14
Water Power Should Be
Conserved

believing that the last great natural
resource belonging to and remaining
within the control of the people of this
country, to-wit: the public waters, and
the power capable of development there
from, should be conserved for the public,
am utterly opposed to any scheme or
plan designed or the effect Of which will
be to deprive the people of full control
over that water power or to turn 1t over
to private monopoly to be exploited for
profit at the expense of the people OF
this country.
I'm this connection it is not improper
to observe that If our forefathers could
have dipped into the future and If, in
grants of the public domain, state and
national, they had reserved to the peo-
pie all mineral interests therein, the
royalties, emitting precious minerals
from coal and iron and zinc and copper
and marble and oil would now go long
ways toward defraying the expenses of
this government.
Full control over, fair provisions for
retaking and a royalty upon each horse
power or developed power or energy
should be incorporated in any plan pro-
viding for the development or eXploita-
ton of the public waters of the United
States by private capital Therefore,
shall favor Ony such measures having to
do with grants or licenses touching the
country as will retain full control there
over in the interests of the general pub
lie, provide for retaking on fair terms
and permit the use and appropriation of
such waterpOwer only upon the payment
of fair royalty upon the electrical ener-
gy or power developed therefrom.
at shall be my purpose to demon
strate that one of the waterpower
bills pending in congress at this
time and much exploited in this state
as bearing the name of the senior
senator does not properly safeguard
the interests Of the public, and in my
opinion, would result in utterly de-
priving the people of their water
power and in vesting practically per-
petual control thereof in private mo-
nopoly-without profit to the people
and virtually at their eXpense.
Dresden enterprise and Sharon tribune. (Dresden, Tenn.) 1907-1997, 1918-02-14

| the senate of the United States, vote for
any measure designed or the effect Of
which will be to shorten the arm Of the
president or weaken his just influence or
deprive him Of his constitutional powers
and functions as the chief executive of
this government.
"Such an attempt was made in the sem
ate of the United States in July, 1917,
when an amendment to the food control
bill was adopted by q vote of SO to 81,
providing for q committee Of congress
to supervise the executive functions of
the president in the conduct of the war,
and in effect to control his actions as
chief executive. Every vote in the neg
alive was that Of q democrat. The fifty
three affirmative votes comprised the
entire republican membership of the
senate voting on that amendment and q
few democrats, including the present
senior senator from Tennessee. That
this amendment did not become part of
the law was due to the efforts of ad-
ministration leaders in both branches of
congress, who in conference ripped the
amendment from the bill, following the
presidents protest against it.
an respect to this effort to shorten
his arm and diminish his just constitu-
| tional powers the president, in a letter
written to Congressman Lever-for pub
| lication-among other things, mildly
said:
"'The constant supervision Of execu-
tive action which the proposed commit
tee contemplated would amount to moth
ing less than an assumption, on the
part Of the legislative body, of the ex-
ecutive work of the administration
During these times pregnant with the
| fate of democracy, while many arms are
needed, these must be only one direct
| ing, responsible head-one chief eXecu-
| tive, Woodrow Wilson.
Dresden enterprise and Sharon tribune. (Dresden, Tenn.) 1907-1997, 1918-02-14
PROTECTION OF FARMERS

"The farming interests, constituting
the backbone and reserve strength Of
this country, should be fostered ana de-
veloped by the application Of the best
thought and practical experience Of the
age. as experience may show the ne
cessity therefor, there should be addi-
tional legislation making adequate pro-
vision for working capital through loans
on farms at rates of interest as usually
obtain in cases Of other borrowers Of
like responsibility, and securing such
recognition Of farmers organizations as
may be necessary to safeguard their in
terests and protect their products
against the profit and private monop-
oily in the int both Of the producing
farmer and NJ. ltimata conRumer.
Dresden enterprise and Sharon tribune. (Dresden, Tenn.) 1907-1997, 1918-02-14
LEGISLATIVE BRANCH MUST
NOT HAMPER PRESIDENT

Believing It to be essential to the
preservation of our form Of government
that the functions Of each Of its several
departments-executiv legislative and
judicial-be kept separate and independ-
emit of the others-that Immediately up
ON the declaration of war 1t became and
was the constitutional right and duty OF
the president to direct and control all
our forces in the prosecution of the war;
and knowing that It Is not only unwise
but In contravention Of our constitution
Tor The legislative branch Of the govern
Ynent to sncroach upon the duties and
powers Of the executive, shall not,
when elected, as your representative IN
Dresden enterprise and Sharon tribune. (Dresden, Tenn.) 1907-1997, 1918-02-14

"And then to put the matter be-
You'd question section l contains
the following provision:
1.-The president is authorized to
make regulations and to issue such
orders as are essential effectively to
carry out the provisions Of this act
THAT the executive order con-
demned by the senator was neces-
sary to meet a grave condition.
dangerous emergency is now gener-
ally conceded, and as such it is APP
proved; that it was within the plain
mandate of the law, which the presi-
dent was sworn to execute, seems
apparent from even a casual consid-
Grafton of it's provisions. Again, l
say, let us stand by the president.
Dresden enterprise and Sharon tribune. (Dresden, Tenn.) 1907-1997, 1918-02-14
More Ample Protection from Mis-
sissippi River at Govern
ment Expense

THE Mississippi river is not only a
great natural highway, but is, in fact
a vast drainage canal carrying away the
waters falling upon the higher and north
ern parts of this country and disposing
them and the accompanying silt along
the lower reaches of the river, or in the
Gulf of Mexico. The annual damages to
Dresden enterprise and Sharon tribune. (Dresden, Tenn.) 1907-1997, 1918-02-14
Enforce Rigidly Laws Against
Treason and Sedition

LET our men and women in this
country stand ready to back up our
chief executive in a more rigid en-
forcement of the law against trea-
ming practices of the Hun enemy
throughout this country.
Dresden enterprise and Sharon tribune. (Dresden, Tenn.) 1907-1997, 1918-02-14
Progressive Legislation for Labor

Believing that labor, whether up
on the farm or in the workshop, or
in any of the forms of human activ-
ity, has the same right to protection
under the law as does capital, Gre
ated by labor, shall favor such pro-
gressive legislation as may be neces-
sary to place labor upon the same
footing with capital in the matter
of organization, and to assure 1t just
recompense as the fruit Of its
efforts,
Dresden enterprise and Sharon tribune. (Dresden, Tenn.) 1907-1997, 1918-02-14


PNaeN mOpLy@ E BPqo dP Epd Government
Quickly"
Dresden enterprise and Sharon tribune. (Dresden, Tenn.) 1907-1997, 1918-02-14
Gen. Chas T. Gates Announces For United
States Senator and Makes the Issue Clear

Candidacy Embarrassing President for Any Reason President
Shields the Chief Executive has but
o Speak and He Will no Longer be an Apirant
Dresden enterprise and Sharon tribune. (Dresden, Tenn.) 1907-1997, 1918-02-14

| property upon our western border from
this great unshackled torrent run up
into the millions of dollars. In my opin-
ion, the lands in the states bordering
upon this great national highway and
drainage canal-over which the states
have no sort of control-should be more
amply protected from ravages by recur-
ring floods, entirely at the expense Of the
| general government.
Dresden enterprise and Sharon tribune. (Dresden, Tenn.) 1907-1997, 1918-02-14

CHARLES T. Gates, JR."
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-01-12

Highway System" which was taken
up and referred to COMMITTEES on roa0aa
and internal navigation.
Messrs Gooirick, Robertson ana
Byrd. Senate bill No. %. bin TO pro-
vide for the acceptance of the terms
and provisions of an act OF CONGRESS,
approved July II, 1915. entitled IN
act to provide that the United States
shall aid the states in the construction
of rural post roads, and for other
purposes, which was taken UP ana
referred to committee on roads ana
internal navigation.
Messrs Goolrick. Robertson ana
Byrd: Senate bill No, %. bill 10
establish the state highway system,
which was taken up and referred 70
the committee on roads and INTERNAL
navigation.
Mr.. Robertson: Senate bill No. ~,
a bill authorizing and empowering the
boards of supervisors OF any two or
more counties in this state or the
Continued on Page Three.)