The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1907-01-31
GOyern0r PattArsOn,s Message.

Governor PatterSOn's Message.
Gov. Patterson's message to the leg
islature, elsewhere printed in full, is
an able, courageous and statesmanlike
document, and when we say this it
means more than the praise or COM
mendation of the ordinary "thick and
thin" party organ that approves every
thing said by democratic governor,
not for the merits of what he says, but
because it is said by an accredited
democrat. The Chattanooga Times
cordially approves every recommends
ton Gov. Patterson makes, because it
believes he is right in every instance,
in most cases declaring for the very
things for which we have been con-
tending for many years. Gov, Patter-
son recognizes the fact that Tennessee
has reached period in her develop
ment when new and aggressive policies
are demanded and when advanced and
up-to-date methods should be adopted
in all departments of the government.
The state has been in many respects
merely drifting until recently; the
time has come when it should acquire
momentum from the energy, progress
siveness and public spirit of her peo-
pie and the governor sets vigorous
pace to that end. Made into vital, eff
fective laws the recommendation he
makes will set the state forward de-
cade and put new life and energy in
all the publics institutions.
He takes the statesmanly view of the
public debt question that bearing a
low rate of interest as it does we ought
not to place that part of the burden of
payment upon the present-the future
ought to share. Certainly, as he clear
ly intimates, we ought not to embar-
rass progress and development by
skimping our present necessities with
niggardly appropriations in order to
pay off more rapidly than is required a
debt that is not pressing, In this
view of it the governor writes this
aphorism: Liberal appropriations
within the limits of revenue and intel
ligently applied is the true economy
inadequate appropriations to legiti-
mate objects and wasteful extrava-
! gance in other directions is what
should be avoided" Fidelity to this
clear and sound doctrine will lead the
legislature in the way the people will
cordially approve.
The governor without hesitation and
! as strongly as words can make it urges
increased salaries for judges of the
state courts-a recommendation the
best public policy demands at once.
Among other things he recommends
are increased pensions for ex-confed-
crate veterans if needed by the exigen-
cies Of their conditions; complete ov-
erhauling and reform of the state capt.
tai building which is about to tumble
down; the erection of an additional
building either in the capitol grounds
or elsewhere for the housing Of state
officials having no place for the trans.
action of their business or the keeping
of their records; a strengthening of the
agricultural department. and the estab-
llshment of experimental stations, one
in each grand division, suitably equip
ped in charge of experienced farm
ers for the benefit of the people and
the promotion of the farming inter-
ests; the enlargement aud complete
overhauling of the educational system
of the state; the abolition of the old
school director system in the counties
and the substitution therefor of coun-
ty commissioners; liberal appropria.
tions for the state university and the
immediate appropriation of the sum of
Ss5O,0O to secure the Peabody fund
for the Nashville institution for the ed
ucaton of teachers.
On this subject of education the gov
ernor takes forward stand, specifcal-
ly setting out changes and reforms
needed for the successful prosecution
of the crusade begun four years ago
and which the legislature should hast.
en- to carry out.
On the subject of public roads he
frankly and correctly declares the sys
tenn in vogue in Tennessee is ante-dat-
ed, useless and totally out of gear
with the progressive times. BE wants
commission of his own selection
and be should have ito go over the