Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1912-06-27
FORMAL CARD OF
7. R. PRESTON
FOR GOVERNOR

Last night Mr.. Preston gave out the
following brief statement of his posi-
tion on some of the important state is
sues in Tennessee:
To the People of Tennessee:
There is widespread desire, not on
ly in Tennessee but throughout the
country. to place public affairs on
sound business basis. This is the ten
dency everywhere and in everything.
In Tennessee, it has been forty years
since we have had a governor who has
had any extensive business experience,
and for many years this state has had
few definite constructive policies. Our
opportunities have been wasted and
our energies dissipated along the lines
of factional politics uLtil the people of
this state are now realizing the la
mentable fact that we are relatively
declining in both population and
wealth. Some of the rich agricultural
counties of this state have actually
lost in population for over thirty
years We are losing standing as
state both at home and abroad. Much
capital and many desirable citizens
are going elsewhere that should come
to Tennessee. Our population for the
ten year period ending with 1910 in
creased only 81 per cent. less than
any stata in the south except one The
expenses of conducting the state gov
ernment during approximately the
same period actually increased over ~
per cent.
Whether or not a majority of the
people really desire change in their
affairs and care to put men of business
experience in charge, no one can now
tell.
Our laws of taxation need revising
from start to finish. Under our pres
en- system, great harm is being done
to both capital and labor.
We have no adequate system of aud
iting public records, either county or
state. The people do not know how
their funds are collected or expended,
except in a most general way.
We have nearly 400 state banks,
with millions of dollars in assets, and
no public system of examination-the
largest state in the union of which
this is true.
The cost of criminal prosecutions in
Tennessee is said to exceed that OF
any other state in the union. Thous-
ands of dollars annually could be saw
ed in criminal costs alone besides a
more effective administration for law
and order which is so much needed
here and elsewhere.
There seems to be desire to urge
some man who has bad business exper-
ience to become candidate for govern
or. Many have suggested my name in
that connection. The emoluments of
the office in no sense appeal to me
the donors, of course do, but not sutti-
ciently fot this alone to cause me to
sacrifice my personal interests to be-
come candidate. But that which |
does appeal to me to make this sacri-
flee is the fact that l hope, if elected,
to aid in doing something for the gen
eral welfare of the state. l believe |
know something of the wants and
needs of the people of Tennessee. For
this reason have decided to announce
as candidate for governor, subject to
the democratic primary, Aug. l. At
a latter date l will set forth my views
more fully.
l am candidate for this Office and
no other. If elected, l expect to serve
my full term.
have not made and do not expect
to make a single promise with regard
to appointments for Office. If elected,
such appointments as come under my
jurisdiction will be made solely and
alone in the interest of the public well
fare and with regard to the fitness of
the applicant for the position.
| am, of course, in favor of good
roads, good schools and pensioning
confederate soldiers, for on such ques-
tions there can be no two opinions
have never held office, have never been
a candidate for office, but for twenty
four years have assiduously devoted
myself to business. If nominated and
elected | will do the very best can
toward restoring this state, one of the
richest naturally and most favored in
location of the Union, to its proper
place in the sisterhood of states, and
do nv utmost to aid in putting it's af-
fairs upou sound conservative bust
ness basis.