The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-01-30
GOV. ROBERT L. TAYLOR.
TENNEssEE'S EXECUTIVE MINGLING
WITH HIS MEMPHIS FRIENDS.
He Advocates Public Libraries and
Talks About National Politics--The
New Assessment Law Destined to
Work Long Needed Revolution.


last night from Jackson, Tenn, and will
spend the day here with his friends.
When seen last night at his room in the
Peabody hotel, by an APPEAL reporter, he
was just bidding good evening to friend
who had called to pay his respects, and
courteously welcomed THE APPEAL man,
The distinguished young executive Of the
great State OF Tennessee is looking the
picture OF health, and his suave and
pleasing manners always make one feel at
ease while talking to him. All of the
newspaper men know him and like TO talk
to him, for he is uniformity kind to them.
u know" said he, that yo- would
like for me to tell you some news, but the
fact is, that is commodity am destitute Of,
unless tell you that / am here from
Jackson, and how came 10 go there.
The purpose Of my visit there was most
pleasant one, and in good cause. The
wide awake and public spirited people Of
that most prosperous city have public
library. IL is not a very large one, and
they are most anxious 10 enlarge both the
building and the number OF books. They
invited Inc there 10 make them speech
on the occasion Of public meeting held
Friday evening for that purpose. / cheer
fully responded, and took for my text
subject that embraces a wide iield-"Iap-
piness." l had splendid audience; in
fact do not believe | ever spoke TO q
finer body OF refined ladies and gentlemen.
The objects for which they had met were
fully discussed, and the necessary funds
for tho purchase of the books were readily
raised. am thoroughly in love with the
idea Of public libraries. No city Of
any size can afford to DO with
out one. Why, they told me in
jackson, that the library there had worked
revolution during the few years of its
existence. Men and women are reading
who never read before. Minds which
were eager but had not the means, greed
lily take advantage Of the opportunity, are
cultivated and ennobled. Time, precious
time, that would otherwise have been
spent idly, is turned into better than gold
by reading good books. The people there
tell me that their library has done thou
sands of dollars worth OF good, and they
mean to maintain IL. As Just said. every
city should have public library, for 1t is
the greatest ciyilizcr that can be intro
duced into community. My coming to
Memphis means nothing more than ! like
TO come here occasionally TO see the many
warm friends have here"
Are we to have very much politics this
year, Governor
"More than we have had in years,
think; not especially here in this State,
but throughout the whole country. III
tell you why. The Republican party is
going to make its greatest eilort-most
| probably lis last-at least, for many years,
Tor II that party loses in this contest its
tate IL scaled for years TO come. DO
think II will be defeated2 Most certainly
| do. The Republican party was doomed
several years ago. II goes into this cam.
paign In a floundcring condition. II
seems TO me they are 30 divided
among themselves already that they
cannot ever get together. They have
NO idea not even the most know
ing one among them, who they are going
10 nominate for President. No, most Ger.
iainly do not know for them. On the
other hand the Democratic party was new.
er in 10 lino and compact a condition. The
country Is satisfied with IL, and Is going Ia
keep il in power. Tennessee Democrats
will not he remiss in responding TO the
balance OF the country on this point The
Democrats never had finer or greater op.
portunily or were mover In better trim 10
make tho most OF IL. Yes, sir, we'll have
a lively campaign-one 10 be remembered
but the Democratic party will win"
Governor, will You have any opposi-
ton for n rcnomination?"
III can't say. | have paid but little NJ.
tcniion 10 the matter. ] have been stay.
ing at home doing my best to give the
people n clean and faithful administration.
How succeed they will be the judges.
! have no other ambition than 10 serve
the State Of Tennessee faithfully, for |
owe 10 them all that am. They put me
where | am, and will determine whether
J ann 10 stay there. Whatever may be
their pleasure, | shall be satisfied. have
been severely criticised by some politicians,
Il true. They thought that they had dug
my political grave, aud would plant me
whcic the yiolcts and long-loaycd gras.
would blossom and waive over me forever
But they will find out their mistake. I'm
too young 10 die yet. and don't expect "a
die the way those fellows thought for iOi
some time 10 come"
Governor, do YOU think the law passed
hy the last Legislature Ia regard 10 the ap
p0intmCnt Of assessors aud the Assessment
| oiprupcrty by them will be OF much benc
GP'
at Is q good law, and II Il is strictly
and srtupulonsly carried out will rebound
IN incalculnhlc benefit 10 the people. Bu
| nppwhcnd that II Is going Ia meet Will
much opposition. II Is an experiment
and We will have 20 wait to see how I
|
fact II, the State assessment II returned nj
100000 That Is what the propert,
pi the State ~ worth. Just sup
pose that such nm assessment wa
made. what would be the result
Oi course there would be surplus o.
revenue. The next Legislature that con
ycncd N0nld deem II it, plain duty 10 ~
duco taxes. That Is what the pcopl,
want. In few ycars the debt Of the stat,
would bc cxtinguishcd. The State need
morr revenue The true assessed value o
the property will raise Il pbundanily, ant
AT the same timc reduce the taxes OF IN,
people The people who pay the mos
taxes arc the ones who own small proper
~. Their property Is made TO pa,
the revenues moro largely than any other
These small property owners are numcri
cally In the majority; then most certainly
they are 10 h. benefited by a true assess.
ment Of all the property in the State.
believe the personal property assessment
In the State Is about S2l,OO,OOO. Why,
believe can pick out twcnty-fou
men In the state who are worth tia
amount u not morc. The benefits TO nc
cruo from such an assessment are great In
decd. Tho interest on the bonded deb