Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1912-07-11


completed the increase in ex-
penses of the state government
will, at the present rate, be over
100 per cent in ten years.
! No greater revelry of extrav-
agance was ever enacted at the
capital of any state than in Ten
nessee at the last session of the
legislature. 1t is impossible to
tell its real cost to the people. The
fleeing of some of the members to
Alabama cost directly over $685.
600, indirectly probably ten times
that amount, and almost caused
the credit of this state to be Sc
riously impaired. Few who had
the opportunity did not dip deep
ly into the state treasury.
1t is impossible in any address
to call attention to but q few Of
the wild extravagances and I'M
business-like methods of our state
government.
The cost of our "junketing COM
mittees" and similar wasteful ex-
penditures of money reached high
tide in 1911. The cost in this di.
rection is said to be the greatest
of any Legislature that ever as
sembled in this state, and repre-
sents the squandering of multi
piled thousands. This, with the
increase of officers and salaries
and extravagant appropriations, y
enough to make the Indifferent
stand in establishment.
1t took sixteen men and cost
$4,557 for the legislative commits
tee to investigate the penitentiary
and the state mines-and such an
investigation! One auditor and
one engineer, which would have
cost but few hundred dollars
could have made much thorough
investigation.
Nine accountants and two mem.
bers of the legislature investi-
gated the offices Of the comp
troller and treasurer, at cost OF
Spots. These books should be
audited and I daresay could be
audited at less than one-half this
expense.
The joint committee on refund
ing the state debt cost SO, 1926, and
no doubt all they found out could
have been ascertained by the ex-
penditure of few cents in post
age. If a personal investigation
by any one at that time was really
necessary, one man could have
done it at an expense of about
5000. What great private business
would have sent ten
men junketing to Chicago, New
York and elsewhere on such a mis-
sion?
Many other expenditures equal
" as useless and uncalled for
could be cited.
No wonder this state cannot re-
leem any Of its bonds. No won
Ter our taxes are high and indus
ries are fleeing to other states.
70 wonder there is demand from
me end of the state to the other
hat we have more business and
ess politics.
If / am nominated and elected
governor / will inaugurate some
eforms in economy and endeavor
0 put the departments of this
tate on a sound, sane, commons
ense business basis, or | will in
he attempt exhaust my constitu-
ional authority to the fullest ex-
ent.
Whether you nominate and elect
ne or not, this state must have
lew men in the administration Of
is affairs. 1t is of the utmost inn
'ortance that we this year send
ur very best men to the legis-
ature, men whose character and
landing in their respective COM
lunities are guarantee of their
tness and fidelity, men who are
road-gauged and patriotic, and
ho will do something for the pub
C good, who will not sacrifice the
lterests of their constituency to
leir private ends or to gain
tile political advantage, and will
OF sell their very souls for petty
olitical office. Otherwise all our
ecessary reforms will go for
aught and Tennessee will con-
nue. her downward course
Now, while the eyes of the in
lstrial world are turned upon the