The Covington leader. (Covington, Tenn.) 18??-current, 1920-11-11
RECALLS FAMOUS
WAR OF ROSES"
BETWEEN TWO BROTHERS FOR
COZ 8RNoRSHIP
Older Generation of Voters Remember
the Memorable Campaign of Bob
and All Taylor in 1886.

Nashville, Tenn, November A.
After being in political retirement for
rs years, and with more than a third
Of a century between MS Tlrst ana
second races for governor, Alfred
Alexander Taylor, Familiarity known
os "Alfp Taylor, waged vigorous
campaign.
Mr.. Taylor was past the three-score
and ten mark when he entered the
race for the Republican nomination
in the primary Of August 5 last, In
the beginning many Tennesseans who
knew him simply as the brother of
Our Bob" late Democratic governor
and senator from Tennessee, looked
upon his campaign as hardly a mat
ter for serious consideration. This
view underwent change when Col.
Tavlor took the stump and began an
active campaign. 1t became evident
that it was one mans race prac-
tieaIly all over the state. So "Alfp
TAYLOR woke up on his I'D birthday
To find himself the Republican nomi-
nee for governor Of Tennessee for the
second time in his life,
Taylor's first race for governor was
the most famous affair Of Che kind in
the history Of the state On June
Is, 1886, the Republican state con-
vention met in Nashville and the late
Richard w. Austin, for several years
congressman from the Second Ten
nessee district, nominated Taylor for
governor.
Tie Democratic state convention
met on August IL, 1886, and after
considerable jockeying nominated
Robert L. Taylor, "Our Bob, 'for gov
ernor on the 18th ballot. Thus it was
that Tennessee's "war Of roses" was
set going.
The two TayloTs made tour Of
the state, speaking to immense
crowds. They hammered the opposi-
ton party and poked fun at one an
other, but wound up each day as af-
fectionate a pair OF brothers as one
would desire to see. After tour OF
the Sequatchie valley, in the course
Of the campaign, the two stopped at
Bridgeport, Ala, for the night as
guests of Mrs. Jones, who had
heard them speak that afternoon at
Jasper. The good woman was greatly
impressed with the consideration the
brothers showed each other, not only
in the debate at Jasper, but about the
hospitable fireside Of her home. The
next morning after breakfast, she
gathered from her garden two bou-
Duets Of roses, one white and tht
other red. Returning to the hall Of
her home, she found ALI and Boil
waiting to say goodbye. To each she
presented one of the bouquets.
Il want you to accept these flowers
gentlemen said the warm-heartet
hostess, "for the sake Of your mother
| know that she must be proud of he
boys who can be politicians and still
be brothers. ! know that her hear
is with you and that her blessing
follow you"
Bob Taylor received the white rose
and Aft the red Thereafter durinl
the campaign, Bob Taylor was know
to newspaper fame as 'knight Of tn
white rose,' and ALT as the 1xnigh
Of the red rose," and Robert Still wa
known as the "knight Of the whit
rosen when he defeated Edward Car
mack for denomination as Unite
States senator in 1906. The "war 0
the roses between the Taylor broth
ers ended in the November electio
of 1886, with Robert the victor.
Ali Taylor became a member 0
congress from the First Tennessee
district on March 4, 1889, and serve
for three terms, declining furthe
nomination and taking up the prat
tice of law in Johnson City. HI
home is at Milligan College, Tenn
where he is extensively interested
farming. He is the father of severe
sons, one Of whom. following tn
family, bent for political division,
q Democrat.
The campaign between Robert
Taylor, Democrat, and Alfred Tay
lor, Republican, for election OF GOV
trnor Of Tennessee in 1886, more tina
d third ef a century ago, was muc
enlivened BY the tactics Of bob" 9
he was Familiarity known.
During the latter part Of his can
paign, Alf Taylor has been accom-
panied bv the Taylor quartet, con
posed of his sons and nephews: wh
rendered old-time Southern melodie
unon the guitar, banjo and violl,l
The quartet occlipied part OF II
time at each speaking date in entel
tanning the crowd.
----s $500