The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1909-02-18
Continued from first page.

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citing laws forbiddng the manufac-
ure and sale of liquor in this state.
Part of this legislation has been ac-
,omplished over my protest as govern
u, and if it is completed it will be over
my continued objection, for | am not
willing for the state to occupy the
questionable and humiliating attitude
Of inviting her citizens to invest their
capital in enterprises which, when
done, are to be destroyed by an act of
the state.
1t is regrettable that this difference
of opinion and obligation to party
pledges has existed between the legis-
lature and the governor, but if the
members have their own approval for
this radical and sweeping legislation, II
also have mine, believing that the rule
OF consent is better than the rule of
force, and that when disapproved of
setting aside an ancient and establish
ed principle of government, was act
ing for the democratic party and the
best interests of the people.
These laws will materially reduce
our revenues, and unless they are sup
piled from other sources we will have
to pay less annually on our state debt,
or decrease the appropriation which
our public necessities so urgently re-
quire.
The loss of revenue, however, is in
consequential if the good which some
hope for will flow from these prohibit
tory enactments.
My opinion has been, and is now,
that prohibition with consent Of the
people and an aroused public senti-
ment to sustain it, may, and often
does, accomplish the best results, but
without consent and in opposition t.
public sentiment that any prohibitory
law is worse than useless.
In communities where the people
wish to retain the legal sale of Ii
quor, high license, segregation, anC
withdrawal of privilege for violations
are the best methods, in my judgment
in dealing with this question, and it il
a poor exchange for these REASONABLE
measures of safety to have an illega
traffic in the hands of irresponsible
men without regulation or control O
lany sort.
| While | do not think prohibition.
law is needed, and that We shoul
!, guard against any that will not b
obeyed and which the people do nc
want, yet 1 believe that an honest ei
fort should be made TO enforce it, an
no one will more readily yield hi
opinion if it can be made to appea
that our cities and the state are to rea
the benefits which its advocates claim
There are other questions, howeve
(which, for the present, have receive
no consideration, which are vital to tn
4 interests of the state and which shout
f not be lost or neglected in the eXcit
! ment of the hour.
Although l have differed from IL
Legislature, and may do so again,
t wish to assure the people of my cordi
cooperation with the law making boo
on all measures affecting the publ
e good and safety, for we can no dou
SC find common ground on many subjec
(which will advance the welfare of o
" beloved and historic state.
5 1t has not been customary in the
Ne inaugural ceremonies to recommel
,e legislation, and shall not violate t
&c rule, preferring to submit my views
the general assembly at a future tin
~ on such subjects as / think should
ceive its attention.
However, before taking the oath th
he is necessar to complete the will of t
ID people, feel that the time and duty
" upon us to take an accout of conditio
~ in Tennessee, and without rancor
bitterness set ourselves to the task
y improvement and adjustment.
mn m