William Prentice Cooper - The Road to Tennessee Governor, Part II (September 28, 1895

William Prentice Cooper

I think liberals have finally gone bat-crap crazy! Before long, fifty percent of Americans will need to be put on a drug regimen to combat their complete and utter insanity. The other fifty percent will need to be placed on antidepressants to combat the craziness from the actions of the other fifty percent. Yesterday, altering history was made that may affect black-and-white relations for years to come, thanks to the woke, the media, our politicians, those used as pawns, and hateful bigots. Amazingly, our nation has created a hero out of a thug who used counterfeit currency, illegal drugs and held a gun to one of his pregnant, innocent victims! Someone who resisted arrest, endangered the lives of police officers, and who had the choice to comply and surrender. But regardless of his rap sheet, George Floyd will become America's next martyr because he died from the consequences of his high while in the hands of police officers. And unfortunately, yesterday, police officer Derek Chauvin paid the ultimate price for performing his duty and apprehending a useless thug that should have obeyed orders. Of course, the story is more complicated than that. But yes, George could have possibly saved his life had he chosen to surrender to the police. An action that could have aided in him receiving prompt medical assistance that would have conceivably dilated his constricted blood vessels, increased the flow of oxygen to his lungs, and prevented him from going into cardiac arrest! Today, the liberals successfully created another martyr out of a sixteen-year-old, Makiyah Bryant, who also died at the hands of the police. Liberals shout out at the injustice of the killing of another black person. However, the truth can be inconvenient at times. The truth is that the police shot Makiyah while in the act of trying to slash another black human being with a knife. What about that life? Truth no longer matters, and justice is no longer equal. And now, truth and justice are both being handicapped and contrived by mobs around the country through their blackmail. Today, unfortunately, a person's race has relevance again, an issue that used to be a growing distant part of America's past with our self-recognition as a country over the pain it created. But today, I am reminded of my distant cousin, Prentice's, courage when faced with a mob surrounding his courtroom. Only this time, the roles have become reversed! Here is more of Prentice's story and his road to becoming a Tennessee Governor.

1931, September 9, The Tennessean,
Nashville, Tennessee, Page 1

With the fading of Prentice's name in the headlines from prosecuting two notable trials during his tenure as the Attorney General, Prentice quietly returned to private practice [4-15]. However, with a family known for wealth and prominence, Prentice's name would hardly disappear from the society section of the paper. Besides filling his time as a lawyer, Prentice found fulfillment in the Rotary Club and its events [16-17]. But in 1931, Prentice discovered a new way to support his community and its servicemen [18-25]. And in a race against fellow WWII Veteran William Caswell Boyd, Prentice became the State Commander of the Tennessee Department of the American Legion [25, 87]. He had huge shoes to follow, though, behind succeeded John E. McCall, who had been responsible for the largest membership enrollment until his time [18-25]. Prentice's mission as the State Commander was to provide needed service to the disabled, protect the orphans and widows of the fallen, and give better health care to those wounded defending their country [18-25]. Prentice forfeited his position the following year but remained an active member [26]. By 1934, Prentice had added two more titles to his growing and impressive resume. He became the Governor and Attorney for the 52nd Rotary District and the Secretary for the Shelbyville Bar Association [27-29]. However, he was about to face one of the biggest challenges in his career thus far.

1936, June 13, Chattanooga Daily Times,
Chattanooga, Tennessee, Page 7

In December 1934, a black man, E.K. Harris, was charged with assaulting a white Bedford County 14-year-old female student [30-33]. Unable to provide for his defense, presiding Judge T. L. Coleman assigned Prentice as his public defender [30-33]. Prentice said of the taking on of his client, "I wasn't going to get a penny for defending Harris, but I thought he was entitled to a fair trial [33]." On the bitterly cold day of the trial, December 17, Prentice petitioned the courts, hoping to have the judicial proceedings moved to another venue to give his client, Harris, the opportunity for a fair trial [30-33]. However, his request was denied, along with Prentice's plea to the Judge for ten days for trial preparation [30-33]. Unfortunately, the proceedings were becoming intense, with a mob forming around the courthouse, requiring Governor McAlister to enlist the National Guard for extra protection [30-33]. It was an intelligent, calculated move since the Guard had to use tear gas to break up the mob's call for premeditated violence [30-33]. Two nights later, on the nineteenth, proving Prentice's reasonableness for wanting the venue changed, the citizens of Shelbyville watched in horror as the mob burned the courthouse to ruins [30-33]. Judge Coleman was left without a choice, forcing the relocation of the trial to Nashville [30-33]. In the end, Harris was found guilty and executed for his crimes [33-34].

William Prentice Cooper
State Senator

Seemingly, Prentice always had his eye on his end goals, making it necessary for him to remain relative in community matters. So, in 1936, he put his energies towards the rural Tennessee Valley Association program, an electric co-op [35]. He fought to remove any obstacles preventing it from coming to fruition, believing that it was necessary and best for the people of Tennessee [67-71]. Prentice also became Chairman of the Citizens' Military Training Camp [36]. But Prentice wanted to etch a larger footprint in the political arena despite it requiring him to sacrifice his allocated time spent enjoying birds, fishing, and oil painting. On June 12, he announced his run for the State Senate in the eighteenth district race against candidates T.J. Farris and Frank M. Jackson [37]. Luckily, he defeated them both in the primary run-off, winning his party's nomination [37-47]. During the general election, Prentice was fortunate not to have any opposition from the Republican party, making it easy for Prentice to secure the senatorial seat representing Bedford, Coffee, and Moore Counties [37-47].

1937, November 29, The Chattanooga News,
Chattanooga, Tennessee, Page 13

During Prentice's tenure as State Senator, he never shied from voicing his opinions. Immediately after his nomination, Prentice spoke precisely over his opposition to a bill presented by Fletcher Morgan of Hamilton [48]. Prentice viewed it as a bill that interfered with the freedom of the press and opposed any measures that made it a misdemeanor when an editor published something others considered untruthful [48]. It had other issues too seen as problematic that interfered with the Constitution's First Amendment, like permanently barring any offenders from an editorial position for a lifetime as a punishment remedy [48]. Prentice said in advocacy against the measure, "They are all vicious when they are against you [48]." Those in opposition wanted the bill "buried so deep that never in the future will a Tennessean sink so low as to try to stifle free expression by another person again [48]." However, in the end, the Senate passed the "Press Gag Bill" [49]. Disappointed, Prentice said, "There has been a tendency in this country to try to curb the press. I think absolute freedom both of the press and the radio is essential [49]". He concluded that he believed that this was "not the right step," and he felt that the libel laws were the effective measures necessary against press dishonesty [49]. Prentice was the only dissenting voice and vote in the Senate against the "Press Gag Bill" or "Morgan Bill" [50-51]. Fortunately, after weeks of further debate within the press headlines, the House of Representatives voted against the bill, making it impossible to become enacted into law [52].

1938, August 5, Nashville Banner,
Nashville, Tennessee, Page 1

As a Senator, Prentice believed in common-sense laws, proposing three himself. He submitted a bill banning judges in any cases argued by family members [54]. If the litigating attorney was a brother, sister, mother, father, etc., related to the Judge, the bill stated that the Judge had to disqualify himself from the proceedings [54]. In the Tennessee Should Act Bill, Prentice's bill outlawed sit-down strikes [54]. It required employees to remove themselves from the premises voluntarily or involuntarily within twelve hours of leaving their company [55-57]. It drew a clear line between law enforcement and respecting the rights of the property owners [55-57]. Prentice said of the purpose behind the bill, "I believe it will make for industrial peace in Tennessee [55-57]." He concluded, "It will prevent the evil of the sit-down strike from spreading into Tennessee and causing dissension and trouble [55-57]." Violating the law would be a misdemeanor, a thousand-dollar fine, and eleven months and twenty-nine days on the work crew [58]. Both bills passed the Senate without any objection [54-57]. However, the most impressive amendment submitted was a bill that required a ten-day recess for state legislators [59]. Its goal was to allow sufficient time for the people of Tennessee to review the controversial County Unit Primary Bill [59]. This bill illustrated Prentice's loyalty to the people (59]. He wanted every person in the state of Tennessee to have a fair opportunity to express themselves on the proposed controversial and complex legislation [59]. And then he wanted the will of the people's voices resounding to their legislative branches, affecting the bill's outcome [59].

William Prentice Cooper

There were other ways that Prentice spoke out that were more defiant against his fellow legislatures. For instance, he opposed proposed legislation that allowed for lawsuit trials without a jury, stating, "I'm standing on the good ole Jeffersonian principle that trial by jury is a sacred right [60]." He added, "Thomas Jefferson said he would rather risk the judgment of twelve, qualified, honest jurymen than trust the biases of one judge [60]." Prentice then asked, "What man of this Senate believes if our chief executive has in mind the punishment of someone opposed to him, he is going to appoint an unbiased judge [60] "? Prentice opposed a bill by the Governor to increase the membership of the State Board of Elections, warning it "should not be a rubber stamp for the Governor [61]." After the bill passed, Prentice voiced his disapproval, "You've not only packed the election commission by three members, but you are willing to go so far as to accept a pig-in-the-sack proposition-you don't even know who they are [65]." Prentice wanted clean elections and called for the investigation into the Knoxville City Elections, where fraud was suspected, stating, "The best thing in the world is to turn the keen sunlight of publicity on this measure [62-63]." Prentice strongly opposed a crime bill that would provide each division within the state a three-board commission to survey crimes, hold hearings, subpoena witnesses, and then report to the legislators any remedial legislation [64]. Prentice said the bill should be called the "Kaiser Bill [64]." According to Prentice, "It sets up a dictatorship and sets up secret police," and he agreed with his peer, Morgan, that it "set up a reign of terror in Tennessee [64]."

1938, August 5, The Tennessean,
Nashville, Tennessee, Page 8

After two years in the Senate, it became clear that Prentice was not an advocate of Governor Browning's platform and was well-known for being a part of the anti-Browning faction [71-72]. On February 26, 1938, he took a decisive role in combating Browning's trajectory for Tennessee and entered the gubernatorial race [72-74]. Upon his announcement, Prentice declared, "I have no political ties with any group or faction [72-74]." Prentice then assaulted Governor Browning's character, stating, "No governor in the history of our state has so grossly misused his power to corrupt the legislature [72-74]." Prentice then accused Browning of "disfranchising voters, packing commissions, usurping the functions of the court and grand juries, and spending the public money for his benefit [72-74]". Prentice said, as the Senator, "I joined with others to carry on the people's fight against the present administration to preserve the fundamental principles of an honest and Democratic government [72-74]". As someone who had assisted in forming one of the largest Tennessee Valley Association cooperatives in the state that served eleven middle counties, Prentice vowed to expand the TVA to benefit the entire state [72-74]. Prentice had made another step towards the destiny his grandfather had once promised him!

1938, February 26, The Tennessean,
Nashville, Tennessee, Page 1

It has been eighty-seven years since Prentice's courthouse was set ablaze by those protesting E.K. Harris, a black man wanted for molesting a young teenager. Whether or not Harris received a fair and just trial is unknown. But truthfully, it would have been nearly impossible to find a panel of non-biased jurors during that period. Just as it did today, the mob aided in dictating the outcome. Prentice said that the Judge appointed him "to defend the darky," and he considered it his duty to do so [32]. Hopefully, he did so without prejudice. Today's mobs are not fighting against the unjust, though. They are not fighting for fair trials against the criminals. Instead, the rioters are fighting for injustice, and they are intent on destroying everything within their desperate reach. They are crusading against the innocent and protecting those who are defiant criminals. It's incredulous to think that society is once again seeing things through the prisms of black and white or white and black. It seems particularly peculiar when so much caramel skin color exists from the decades of delicate blending. Regardless of the prejudices, the definition remains the same, including the excuses not to change. The actual death toll numbers vary slightly depending on the source, but since 2020, there have been 500 white people killed at the hands of the police in comparison to 271 black people. Police officers don't wake up with an intent to kill either blacks or whites. Criminals do! And if the United States isn't careful, a war of races could begin based on a propagated false narrative.

Next week, the continuation of Prentice's road to becoming the Tennessee Governor!

Sources:

https://townhall.com/columnists/rachelalexander/2020/11/30/hey-msm-affidavits-are-considered-evidence-n2580794
https://reason.com/2020/12/25/an-autopsy-of-sidney-powells-kraken-reveals-suspiciously-similar-affidavits/
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5e80e0d236405d1c7b8eaec9/t/5ff777fad96e7c4b0f1975fc/1610053642026/Summary+Evidence+Election+2020.pdf
“Uncle To Be Freed If Acquittal Is Given Massacre Pawn-Verdict Today,” 1926, February 27, The Tennessean, Nashville, Tennessee, Page 1
“Shot To Save Honor Plea For Mrs. Calvert,” 1926, June 1, Chattanooga Daily Times, Chattanooga, Tennessee, Page 1
“Is Woman’s Plea In Man Killing,” 1926, June 1, The Knoxville Journal, Knoxville, Tennessee, Page 3
“Jennigan Partly Insane Says Jury In Murfreesboro-Dual Slayer Fate Up To Judge-Decree To Be Monday,” 1926, June 4, The Tennessean, Nashville, Tennessee, Page 2
“Execution Set-Court Asks Life,” 1926, June 8, The Knoxville Journal, Knoxville, Tennessee, page 3.
“Jernigan’s Death Sentence Upheld In Sanity Inquest-Commutation To Life Is Recommended-To Renew Appeal,” 1926, June 8, The Tennessean, Nashville, Tennessee.
“Jennigan Insane, Say Alienists-Sanity Verdict Will Determine Life Or Death For Slayer Of Two,” 1926, June 3, The Tennessean, Nashville, Tennessee.
“Jennigan Stakes His Life On Insanity In Fear-Murder Trial Young Slayer Admits He Slew Merritt-Not Sorry-Fit Is Described, “ 1926, February 26, The Tennessean, Nashville, Tennessee, page 1
“Death Penalty For Jernigan-Rutherford County Youth Convicted Of Murder of Two Merritts-Insanity Plea Fails-Jury Reports of Opening Of Court This Morning To Ask New Trial,” 1926, February 27, Nashville, Tennessee
“Cavert and Wife Get 21 Years For Rum Plot Murder-Woman Slew For Husband, Not Honor Jury Finds, 1926, June 2, The Tennessean, Nashville, Tennessee
“Gum Faces Trial Today In Murder Through Nephew - Jennigan Denied New Hearing-Sentence Postponed,” 1926, March 9, The Tennessean, Page 1
“Insanity Verdict Would Clear Gum-Jury Has Fate Of Father And Son Killer-Law Releases His Uncle, Alleged Instigator Of Crime If Boy Found Insane,” 1926, February 27, Chattanooga Daily Times, Chattanooga, Tennessee
27 Rotarians Named For Belgium Meeting,” 1927, May 27, The Knoxville Journal, Knoxville, Tennessee, Page 7.
“Winners Sweep Finals Event To Clinch Tourney,” 1926, May 23, The Tennessean, Nashville, Tennessee, Page 7
“Legion Head-Cooper Wins In Race With Adj Gen Boyd,” 1931, September 9, The Knoxville News Sentinel-Knoxville, Tennessee, Page 1
“Jobs For War Vets Sought By Legion-Prentice Cooper Plans To Probe Disallowed Compensation Claims,” 1927, December 16, Chattanooga Daily Times, Chattanooga, Tennessee, Page 3.
“Cooper Heads State Legion-Mrs. Altorn of Rogersville is Auxiliary President, 1931, September 8, the Knoxville News, Knoxville, Tennessee, Page 1
“Buddies, Who Shall It Be,” 1931, September 7, The Tennessean, Nashville, Tennessee, page 1
“Tennessee Legion Ends Meeting At Nashville-Prentice Cooper commander for Coming Year And Memphis Post’s Invitation For Next Meeting Accepted,” 1931, September 9, The Bristol News, Bristol, Tennessee, Page 1
“To Head Rally,” 1932, February 27, The Knoxville Journal, Knoxville, Tennessee, Page 12.
“Cooper Will Address Legion Meeting Tonight,” 1932, February 12, The Bristol Herald Courier, Bristol, Tennessee, Page 3.
“Clarksville Veterans Ask Immediate Payment,” 1932, April 30, Nashville Banner, Nashville, Tennessee, Page 7.
“Prominent Legionnaires,” The Knoxville Journal, Knoxville, Tennessee, 1933, September 3, Page 1.
“Rotary Indorses Cooper, “ 1934, April 2, Nashville Banner, Nashville, Tennessee, Page 15.
“Shelbyville Bar Elects General Coldwell President,” 1934, December 13, The Chattanooga News, Chattanooga, Tennessee, Page 16.
“Shelbyville Attorneys Hear Plans For Building,” 1935, March 19, Nashville Banner, Nashville, Tennessee, Page 2.
“Bedford County Negro Will Be Tried Here-Nashville Architects Chosen For New Court House,” 1935, January 25, Nashville Banner, Nashville, Tennessee, Page 18
“Bedford Crowd Is Broken Up By Tear Gas Bombs-Guardsmen Repulse Group That Tried To Get Through Lines Into Court House-Many Attending Trial of Negro,” 1934, December 19, Page 1.
“Shelbyville Is Quieting Down After Trouble,” 1934, December 23, Nashville Banner, Nashville, Tennessee, Page 1.
“Tennessee’s New Governor Early Sets Three Goals-To Be A Lawyer-To Become A Statesman-And To Find Time To Write,” 1938, November 20, The Tennessean, Nashville, Tennessee, Page 29.
Stewart, Tom, “Bedford City Negro Will Be Tried Here-Nashville Architects Chosen For New Courthouse,” 1935, January 1, Nashville Banner, Nashville, Tennessee.
“Rural TVA Program Projected To Pottsville Area, 1936, February 2, The Tennessean, Nashville, Tennessee, Page 2.
“Free Clinic For CMTC Lads,” 1936, May 27, The Chattanooga Times, Chattanooga, Tennessee, Page 3.
“Shelbyville Attorney In State Senate Race,” 1936, June 13, Chattanooga Daily Times, Chattanooga, Tennessee, Page 7.
“3-Way Race In Eighteenth,” 1936, July 19, Nashville Banner, Nashville, Tennessee, Page 2.
“Bedford City Races Are Growing Warmer,” 1936, July 30, The Chattanooga News, Chattanooga, Tennessee, Page 6.
“Bedford City Races Are Growing Warmer,” 1936, July 30, The Chattanooga News, Chattanooga, Tennessee, Page 6.
“Senate Nominees,” 1936, August 13, The Tennessean, Nashville, Tennessee, Page 11.
“Primary Board Throws Out 4 Vote Contestants-Madison And Henderson Race To Be Run Off At Polls In November, “ 1936, August 27, The Knoxville Journal, Knoxville, Tennessee, Page 2.
“Nominees For Senator Shown In First Listing,” Chattanooga Daily Times, Chattanooga, Tennessee, Page 7.
“No Nominations,” 1936, August 27, The Chattanooga News, Chattanooga, Tennessee, page 10.
“Young Democrats Announce Roll of 1937 State Assembly,” 1936, September 11, Nashville, Banner, Page 9.
“Who’s Who In The Legislature,” 1936, December 27, Nashville Banner, Nashville, Tennessee, Page 2.
Hatcher, Joe, “All Browning Bills Due Top Of Calendars-Constitutional Changes, 18 Other Drafts To Be Speeded,” 1937, May 6, The Tennessean, Nashville, Tennessee, Page 1.
“Utterly Preposterous,” 1937, January 30, Chattanooga Daily Times, Chattanooga, Tennessee, Page 2.
“Senate Passes Press Gag Bill-It Provides Editor Be Fined-Barred From Profession,” 1937, January 29, The Knoxville Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, Page 2.
“Freedom Of The Press, “ 1937, January 30, Chattanooga Daily Times, Chattanooga, Tennessee, Page 6.
‘Morgan Makes New Attack-Says Gag Bill Will Stand In History AS Comparable To Magna Carter,” 1937, February 2, The Chattanooga News, Chattanooga, Tennessee, Page 7.
“Gag Bill Ends,” 1937, February 13, The Tennessean, Nashville Tennessee, Page 4
“Defeat of Gag Bill Urged By Liberties Union,” 1937, February 1, The Chattanooga Daily Times, Chattanooga, Tennessee, Page 3.
“Bill Would Ban Judge In Cases Argued By Kin,” 1937, February 20, The Chattanooga Daily Times, Chattanooga, Tennessee, Page 2.
“House Approves Airport’s Share In Gasoline Tax-Referendum On Liquor Laws Proposed- Local Option on Manufacturing Whisky Sought,” 1937, May 12, Nashville Banner, Nashville, Tennessee, Page 1.
“Tennessee Should Act,” 1937, May 6, Nashville Banner, Nashville, Tennessee, Page 12.
“Senate Votes Sit-down Ban-House Expected To Ballot On Measure Providing Fine For Strikers,” 1937, May 12, The Knoxville News Sentinel, Knoxville, Tennessee, Page 12
“Outlaw Sit-down Strikes,” 1937, May 13, The Tennessean, Nashville, Tennessee, Page 1.
“County Unit Primary Bill Recess,” 1937, October 11, The Leaf Chronicle, Clarksville, Tennessee, page 6.
“Attempt Fail To Halt Bills Browning Asks-Election Board Measure Is Passed and Ouster Suit Juries Eliminated,” 1937, November 17, Chattanooga Daily Times, Chattanooga, Tennessee, Page 1.
“The House Refused Today A Bill By Governor Brown To Increase Membership Of The State Board of Elections-House Effort To Kill Plan Is Defeated,” 1937, October 11, Nashville Banner, Nashville, Tennessee, Page 1.
“Election Measure-Approved After Committee Clash-Senate Judiciary Body Hears “Huey Long” Charges, 1937, October 11, The Tennessean, Nashville, Tennessee, Page 54.
‘Strong House Fight Raised Against Crime Commission-Passage of Bill Seen, However, Before Long,” 1937, November 18, Page 1
“Crime Board Bill Passes Upper House,” 1937, November 18, The Knoxville News, Knoxville, Tennessee, Page 1.
“Governor Browning’s Crime Proposal Before Senate,” 1937, November 17, The Bristol News Bulletin, Bristol, Tennessee, Page 6.
“State Senate Debates Crime Commission Bill-Legislature Enacts Ouster-Election Board Bill Over Bitter Protest,” 1937, November 17, The Chattanooga News, Chattanooga, Tennessee, Page 8.
“12 Tennessee Cities Will Join Court Fight To Obtain TVA Power,” 1937, December 3, Nashville, Banner, Nashville, Tennessee, Page 1,
Marable Rule In Power Case Slated Today-Officials of Tennessee Municipalities Are Organized,” 1937, December 4, The Tennessean, Nashville, Tennessee, Page 1
“City Officers Organize In Power Fight-Plan Appeal To Higher Court To Build Electric Units,” 1937, December 4, The Knoxville Journal, Knoxville, Tennessee, Page 5.
“Cities Unite For TVA Power-Concentrate Efforts To Remove Obstacles Placed By Utilities,” December 4, 1937, The Knoxville News, Knoxville, Tennessee, Page 6.
“Crump Aides In Nashville To air Plans-Chandler Candidate To Oppose Browning Is Pleased With Views-Cooper Mentioned To Utility Position,” 1938, February 23, Johnson City Chronicles, Johnson City, Tennessee, Page 1.
“Cooper Enters Governor Race,” 1938, February 26, The Tennessean, Nashville, Tennessee, Page 1.
“Cooper Enters Party Primary For Governor, 1938, February 26, Chattanooga Daily Times, Chattanooga, Tennessee, Page 1
“Governors Race Draws Second Man Prentice Cooper-Former State Commander of Legion Puts Hat In Ring,” 1938, February 26, The Knoxville Journal, Knoxville, Tennessee, Page 1