The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1908-03-19
Governor Patterson Desires to Make His
Opening Speech Alone. After That He
Will Be Ready to Meet His Oppo-
nent in Discussion of Issues.
MANAGERS WILL ARRANGE DETAILS THIS Week

whether he has been loyal or faithless
to his personal pledges and to the plat
form of his party.
In his campaign for the democratic
nomination there were two things that
Mr.. Patterson emphasized, to-wit: "a
An amendment to the election laws
that would take the appointment of
county election commissioners out of
his hands and place it in the hands of a
state commission. (2) The elimina-
tion of the back assessment iniquity.
He sent number of messages to the
legislature on these points, but that
body was, as a matter of fact, hostile to
the governor. Somewhat reluctantly it
carried out the first recommendation
OF the governor; but it made only i'm
material changes in the back assess
ment system. But whatever shortcom-
ings there might be in this respect
must be charged to the account of the
legislature.
On the temperance question the state
platform favored an extension Of the
Adams law to portions of the state not
then embraced in its operation, "pro-
vided such extension is with the con-
sent of the people to be affected there
by, believing that the people of any
locality have the right to determine
this question for themselves. The
governor, in discussing the temper
ance question, invariably stated that
he would approve all legislation based
on the will of the people and would
disapprove all legislation not 80
based.
Now, has the Patterson administra.
tion been squared to the democratic
platform and the ante-e election pledges
of the governor? Has it been honest
and capable and promotive of the well
fare of the stateH Here are few items
connected with this administration:
There has not been dishonest cleo
tlon IN Tennessee since Patterson be-
came governor.
There has been no scandal about any
of the public institutions since Patter-
son became governor.
Over $lSO,0OO more than was ever
provided for education has been appro-
priated.
The pensions of the Confederate vet.
Grams have been increased from $3.50,
600 to 100000 annually.
State bonds to the amount of $469,
900 were retired.
The state institutions have been bet
ter equipped than ever before.
The state treasury has $66, ,577 more
than it had at this time last year.
Over 400 saloons have been abolished
in accordance with the will of the
people.
High license has been established in
several places, and the state gets from
the liquor business 1894, 232, against
$27O,S27 under the Cox adminstra.
tion.
The assessment on railroads, tele-
phones, telegraph companies and
street railways has been increased $15,
100000.
Patterson has signed more temper
snce bills than all other governors
combined.
The railroads have gotten together
under the governoa's initiative and
have agaeed on reduced fare.
The governor has been criticised for
his pardon record, but, as we may show
hereafter, he has been fully justified.
He investigated the penitentiary per.
sonally, and on his own responsibility
he pardoned boys under 16 years OF
age 80 as to give them a chance; blind,
lame and halt prisoners, who were @
, burden on the state; incurables who
could do the state no service in gaoI
and the people no harm outside; con.
sumptives and others who were on
their deathbeds. In no instance did
he pardon rich men. He extended
mercy to the poor and the helpless.
Now, under the circumstances, what
has Patterson done that justifes VIC.
lation of the second term precedent
and that warrants an internecine fight
,, , in the democratic paaty to defeat him 2
Commercial Appeal.