Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1912-02-28
Congressman Padgett
States His Position
Declares He win not Run in the
Primary Of April %. Patriot.
ism aud not Rebellion to Refuse
the Demands Of Committee
Transcending It's Power.

Washington, Feb. 23-Deelaring
that to submit TO unjust, unfair and IN
warranted demands Of committee
transcendine its power, is not rebellion
but is patriotism, Congressman L. P |
Padeeti has announced that he will !
moi be a candidate in the primary call
ed for April u, His statement is as
follows;
You have honored me in the past
with your confidence and support,
which deeply appreciate and for
which am profoundly grateful It !
has been my constant aim 10 render
you faithful and efficient service, and
am content to lay my record as gour
servant before you for inspection and
approval.
The Committee met at franklin on
the 9th. for the purpose Of prescribing
rules aud naming the day for the Con.
eressional primary election. | appear.
ed before this committee and called to
their attention that il had been a Gus
tom to have the primary on the day Of
the August election, and that il had
never been held sooner than that date
also called to their attention that my
duties as member Of Congress, and as
chairman Of the Naval Affairs Commit
tee impsraliVelV demanded my constant
presence in Washington and constant
attention 10 the discharge of the duties
and that my duties were such that |
could not postpone them nor neglect
them without being false TO the Con-
eress and to my people and recreant 10
my official position.
Il told them that the Democratic
party was now for the first time in six
teen years in control Of the lower house
If Congress and was on trial before the
country aud that upon the record made
by The Democrats in Congress- was de-
, pendent the election OF a Democratic
President and Democratic House in
, the next election; that had been
unanimously selected by the Democrats
as Chairman of the great Committee
, who had placed upon me the duties,
;. obligations and responsibilities Of the
i, position, 10 which il failed to give the
, proper attention and failed 10 properly
: discharge the obligation thus placed OF
! me by the Democratic, party and SHOULD
q make failure in my duties pertaining
, to this great Committee. that the Dem
+ ocratic party in Congress would be hello
responsible therefor and would b
). charged with being incapable Of wid'
, and efficient administration Of publ,
affairs, and that could not and woulC
not desert my post of duty and b
false to the obligations placed upon MI
Il said to them that the PROPOSED
action was an injustice to me personal
" because it denied me opportunity tt
appear before the people and presen
my claims and that it was an injustice
to the people Of the district because
they had right to expect and demanC
of me as their public servant that
;, should appear before them face to tac'
and render them an account of nj
stewardship as has been the unkroker
custom in our country since the organ
ization of our government; and that i
u was an injustice to the Democratic
5 party in Congress to demand of me tina
| should leave my post of duty or tina
., should be recreant to the trust which
}, the party had imposed on me, or that a
l. Democratic committee should seek di
5 rectly or indirectly to embarrass me ST
: that could not devote my time anC
> my talents to the discharge of my dutie
VI to reflect credit upon the Democrat,
= administration in Congress and help Sc
l. cure for the Democratic party the APP
II proval of the country for wise ant
u efficient administration OF the publi
. affairs.
l. Il said to them that had been TO
: weeks past and would be for man
II weeks vet to come, engaged in the pre-
l. paration Of the naval appropriation
u bill, carrying an appropriation O
X S125,000,000; aud in addition had be
e fore my committee more than $50 bill
y relating to legislation for the navy.
: said TO the committee, and now / reaf
l. firm, that will not desert my post O
e duty nor voluntarily be false TO tn
e trust conlided TO me and that in
II choice between being false to my pres
n emf duty and sacrificing my persona