The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1905-04-13
WASHINGTON FER GOVERNOR.
Ex-COngressman Admits That he VIII En-
ter Race.


dear Hill, Robertson county, formerly
congressman from the Hermitage dis
trict, and who was Familiarity called
"Little Joe" during his several terms
Of conspicuously able public service,
has not yet commenced to make any
plans for his pr ospective campaign, but
admits that he is candidate and he
will enter the gubernatOrial handicap
when the time comes.
Speaking of handicaps, Mr.. Washing
ton owns one of the prettiest farms in
Robertson county and is lover of fine
horse flesh. He attended yesterday at
Murfreesboro the Rutherford county
horse sale. To Banner reporter last
night Mr.. Washington said he had seen
many fine horses at the sale and they
were sold at good prices. He said that
many of the animals sold under the
hammer OF Murfreesburg yesterday
were suitable for eastern markets.
ISSUES NOT YET MADE.
Concerning his gubernatorial aspira-
tions Mr.. Washington said that it was
entirely too early to outline any new
policy. The election will not take
place for over eighteen months and no
new issues have even been suggested.
The ex.congressman had no word of
criticism concerning the administration
of ex-Gov. Frazier and expressed his
entire sympathy with his school, pen
sion and other policies.
Mr.. Washington expressed himself as
heartily in favor Of any wise policy to
increase the efficiency and lengthen the
terms of the rural schools throughout
the state. He thinks that Tennessee
should be fully abreast of the times in
the matter of education. He said, how
ever, that it was not prudent to attempt
to reach the desired standard of etfici-
ency in one bound. 1t is necessary to
educate the people to full realization
of the necessity of longer school terms
so that the attendance can be made tc
keep pace with the longer terms before
too much money isexpended along thi:
line.
| RI,ECTION LAWS
Mr.. Washington was asked if he fa
vored any amendments to the election
laws of Tennessee. To this he replied
that the democratic party was respon
sible for the existing election laws, an6
he stood in Zine with the party for the
enforcement of these laws az enacted
The party deemed the present law nee
essary to purify the ballot, and unit
democrats in their assembled wisdom
see fit to amend these laws, Mr.. Wash
ington thinks they should be let alone
As to the Adams law, Mr.. Washing
tod, as on all other political questions
stands pat with his party. Hesaid last
night that he thought this law should
be allowed to stand as it is until fairly
tested. He does not think an attempt
should be made to extend the law IL
advance of o public demand for suct
extension,
Mr.. Washington is an earnest advo
cate Of ssstate debt-paying policy, and
favors using a larger amount Of the
treasury surplus for the liquidation Of
of Tennessee's obligations. The ad'
ministrations OF Cows. McMillin and
Frazier were both conducted along
substantial business lines, and there
has been most gratifying and sub
stantial reduction OF the state debt, y
said Mr.. Washington. "The country
has been in q most prosperous condi.
| ton of late, and Tennessee has shared
in this prosperity. This aided the two
last administrations in their policy, for
it made the payment of taYes more easy
and prompt. Nothing would tend more
to bring new industries and additional
capital to Tennessee than for the state
to be free from debt"
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