The Adair County news., 1907-10-23

"a IA. vAp.'hseS Tor TaylOrS lawleSs
soldiery as well as their debts in
Cured during that disastrous admin
istration. According to his figures
the state was in debt above its assets
when he assumed Office, $1,421, 49S.
If we take his figures-and no one will
believe that he has understated the
amount-the records show that they
left the financial affairs of the state
infinitely worse than they found them,
Notwithstanding that his administra-
ton increased the tax rate from 42ia
cents to 521a cents on 500, and dou-
bled the bonded debt of the state by
borrowing 100000. The records show
that when the Democrats took charge
in February, 1900, the state was in
debt above its assets 81 500, 657.36, and
that they left the state with a debt
of $277,659.36 larger than the debt
which he says existed when he came
into office. These are the cold, plain
facts, from which he cannot escape;
which are clear to the simplest mind,
ing three newspaper columns of in
accurate figures to confuse the minds
of the voters.
He knows that the Democratic adj
ministration has wiped out the entire
debt of the state which 1t found at
the conclusion Of the Republican ad-
ministration, and yet he states, in this
printed speech, that 'the state is now
in debt" and further he says eff the
present administration has increased
the taxes for general purposes, in
creased the value of property and still
increases our debts, it will, if contin-
ued in Office, land Kentucky in He'll
eventually"
Why should the distinguished ex-
governor deliberately make a state
ment that he and every other intelli-
gent citizen in Kentucky knows to be
untrue? Doesn't a subject of this i'm
portance deserve fair and honest treat
ment? Have not the people at least
a right to expect that man who had
once held the exalted Office of gov
ernor should tell the truth about these
things? Doesn't he give our people
credit for more intelligence than to
think it possible for him and the other
Republican candidates to deceive
them, like he and Mr.. Wilson deceiv-
ed them in 1895?
State Entirely Out Of Debt.
Not only is the state entirely out of
debt, but with all of the money that
the administration has expended for
its public institutions, its schools, col
leges and its new capitol and other
worthy improvements, we will have in
our treasury at the close of this ad-
ministration the first of next January
the splendid surplus of $1,25O,000. /
know that superb showing like that
is discomforting to Governor Bradley
and the other Republican candidates.
They cannot answer it. They cannot
by jugglery of figures escape it. But
it certainly does not justify them in
deliberate misrepresentation and the
peddling of ISLANDERS, forgeries and
falsehoods to divert, if possible, the
minds of the people from the real
facts.
He states in his speech that this
administration had only apr opria:ed
1887, 1927, while we state that a
larger amount has been appropriated
for worthy purposes. If the gentle
man will look on Page 81 of the
Democratic campaign handbook, a
copy of which 1 presume he has, he
will find a list of the items showing
for what purposesNeach appropriation
was made, amounting to $2,701, 062.07,
all of which will have been paid by
the close of this administration and
yet leave surplus in the treasury as
above stated This list is taken from
the records, and it will be easy for
him to verify it if he wants to know
the truth about it. He says in his
speech, "the Republican administra-
ton was not only economical; did not
only pay off Democratic Indebtedness,
but it did many other worthy things"
In Conflict With the Truth.
In the light of the facts which
have stated and which cannot be dis
puted, 1 submit to the intelligent vot-
erS this marvellous statement of the
ex-governor. OF the "many worthy
things" accomplished during his adj
ministration the only thing that he at
tempts to show is the establishment of
the House of Reform. / shall quote
his exact words about that wonderful
achievement, for which he claims
credit, and then quote Section 252 Of
the constitution of the state, and let
the voters pass an opinion for them
selves upon the veracity of the ex-
governor Here is what he said:
For nearly 100 years Kentucky failed