Evening journal., 1897-01-05

the NlOlhllOn OF the STATUTE pIOulDltluE
a discrimination of charges for the
transportation Of packages. | recon-
mend that you investigate the charges
and report the result of your inquiry
to the Encouragement.
TENNESSEE CENTENNIAL
The people of Tennessee will cele-
brate the one hundredth anniversary
of the admission of their state into the
Union. by holding at Nashville, the
capital. for a period of six months,
from the first day of May, A. ID. 1897,
a centennial and international eXposi-
ton. This state has been invited by
the commissioner general to partici-
pate in this celebration. My object in
making mention of this is that it may
receive whatever attention your iudg-
men5s may dictate.
REPORTS.
Tn addition to the reports heretofore
commented upon. herewith submit |
the report of the State Board of Health, |
together with a list of reprieves, par
dons and remissions. and my reasons
for granting the same.
ELECTIONS.
A matter still remains to which /
must call your attention, and | have re-
| served it until the last. not because It
| is less important, but because II Is
more important than all others with
which | have dealt in this message.
/ The subject is one which / could not
ignore If l would, and which would
press itself upon your attention with
out suggestion from me.
refer to the matter of bribery and
corruption in the conduct of our elec-
tions. Ii doubtless has existed in some
degrees for many years. and has been
practiced by members of all parties In
the heat of political contests But the
comparatively limited extent to which
it had obtained tended to prevent its
awakening the public conscience as 1t
should have done, and though always
condemned by thoughtful and patriotic
citizens. It has been winked at by heat
ed partisanship. IL has, however OF
late assumed such alarming proper
tions as to challenge public attention
, and demand drastic treatment at the
hands of the Legislature.
= Owing to the smallness of our state,
not only in territory, but in population,
distinct danger threatens us in these
d times of overgrown fortunes, when the
corrupt hand of ambitious wealth is eX-
[ tended to seize upon the great political
, Blaces which have heretofore been sup
posed to belong 20 those whose good
! citizenship. worth and attainmcnts
I have commended them t0 the electorate
q of the state. Thoughtful and patriotic
s men an over the state are awakening o.
b The danger which those condition.
s make our beloved Commonwealth, and
!. 4 demand which cannot be ignored viii
n meet you at the threshold of the higl
l. duties you are entering upon. demand
e that you should throw, as far as posi-
e Bile. the safeguards of legislation
= around the exercise of the elective
II franchise. A corrupt and purchased
electorate is as bad and as dangerous
to the community as an intimidated oi
coerced one. BY it. self-government Is
poisoned at its fountain. and a proud
and self-respecting citizenship, so es-
sential to free government, made i'm
= possible.
No one doubts the immortality OF
= these practices, or that their continu'
ance will sap the robust manhood OF
any community in which they are per
! mitted TO exist To stamp out this i'm
= morality, the law of our state should
= lend it's strongest sanctions. The bribel
u and bribed are alike unworthy to exer
- else the highest privilege OF citizen
ship in free state, and the law should
create and enforce a public opinion
n which in its turn will support the law
II in making those guilty of either givinl
II or receiving a bribe as a considera
ton for a vote. live under the stigmi
= of having committed a crime as helm
e GUS as any denounced in our statut
book.
No law which would have the effec
te of furnishing the bribe-taker and al
RS lowing the bribe-giver to go scathless
4 would be adequate for the grave condi
D. ton il is required to meet, or RESPOND
D. to the just demands made by tn
te aroused conscience of the people Of on
N state. No time should be lost In lis,en
a. ing to worthy elimination or recrimi
rs nation between the members OF oppos
" ing parties. That would only pleas
ef those who are willing that these abhor
rent practices should continue.
II in the days when the disease wa
less aggravated there were those VIII
II either did not see. or closed their eye
lie TO it's dangerous character, surely no'
a. that its rayages have extended to sue
frightful extent as to threaten al
r. wholesome political life men Of a
I'll parties who love their state and recog
r. nize a common peril. must, am W
T. believe will, unite In eradicating t.
,h A thorough consideration of the re
to forms in our ballot law suggested b
al the experience Of its practical opera
he ton. is a duty not likely 10 escap
a your attention If the present la'
n passed to secure a perfectly secret ba
r. lot. and thus minimize the opportunit
o. for bribery. has in practice measurabl
'e, failed in accomplishing that admirabl
cy purpose, amendments Of the law shoul
be so framed as TO cure its defects
st that regard. Especially If IL Is foun
IS, that a part Of the machinery o. th
a. ballot law itself. has been made an II
he strumentality of fraud and corruption
N. should that part be done away with.
ed Amendments to the law. denouncin
te Justification of returns made by ele'
W ticn officers, or others, 10 the board
a Of canvass, may be found necessary O
Id examination of It's provisions. No q
as. fort should be spared 10 make swi
'al .,d euvo tho nuufehuouf pf those Wh