The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-02

score of zeal and devotion to our COM
mon schools. The hope or the people, of
the world istelf. unalterably rests upon
It's free and liberal system of educationa,
training, and | would see our schools
properly brought within easy range of
access to every child in the state of Ala
bama But as crimes are often perpe-
trated in the name of liberty, so are=blun-
ders committed under the pretense of
popular enlightenment 1t is not in serv-
ice of the real cause of the education of
the masses to make that need false and
deceptive guise. Where, for instance, Is
the justification for tolerating the exis-
tence of nine normal schools in Alabama
at the annual cost of s104,0Oo and special
appropriations of over 100000 more, when
less than half of these institutions at
probably one-fourth the cost would do as
we'll or even better?
II could go on enumerating things
upon which the tax money of the people
of Alabama is literally thrown away
My candidacy in intent and purpose
first of all, means the calling of halt
to practice which Is work Ing not only
a srievous burden on the people. but
is operating to the ruin and credit of
this great state. With The proper re-
trenchment in these unwarranted eX-
penses; with looping and pairing down
of a cumbersome office-holding SYSTEM
ernors' annual trips to New York in
the role of supplicants to eastern state
bond holders, and less occasion TO sur
render state dignity in periodic quest
for loans from banks in order to meet
the exigencies of a lean and depleted
treasury. 1t will be my first and chief
aim as governor. to save Alabama from
the begging role of a borrower and to
preserve her dignity against the need
that reduces her to the level of solicit
ing favors from her citizen subjects. /
have a laudable ambition to close my
political life as governor of MY native
state, and a still greater ambition to
give our people a sane. economical and
business administration
at follows that with a wise expendl-
ture of the states income. which is
growing yearly larger under the splen-
did impulse of our material develop
ments, that the tax burden can be low
cred without checking the march to
prosperity that will make such an END
not only a possibility. but reality. As
governor. this aim would stimulate me
to accomplish this relief to the people
as thing that the progress of the
states marvellous march to her great
ness hopefully warrants As q means
to this end our tax law should be radi-
cally changed in the interest or lower
ing the tax rate whenever and wherever
possible. and would heartily favor an
adjustment of taxation that will more
equally distribute the burden now dis
proportionate1y resting upon the shoul-
ders of the people.
Regarding the Veterans
And in favoring lower taxes there
is nothing in such a policy to call for
a corresponding reduction in any of the
proper appropriations under which the
a ofi Of tha finding S1lrh
glorious forms of life. One of these
is the states administration to The COM
forts of the old soldier in his declining,
fast vanishing years. Being confed-
crate veteran myself. and sharing with
these old heroes the faith, the devotion
to which had made them the object of
the states liberal care. 1t would be
superfluous for me to dwell at any
length In explanation of how the sub
ject OF favoring my old comrades would
appeal to me as governor of the state
they so gallantly defended. There Is
no length to which / would not gladly
go to conform my love to them as
friends and comrades. to the highest
exercise of any executive function that
could make me servant OF their wei
fare and happiness.
'1mmortal heroes of the thin, gray line!
God bless and keep every gallant soul IN
the vanishing ranks! That line Is growing
thinner and DINNER as the days go by.
Statistics prove that a veteran of the
civil war dies every IA minutes. At such
a ratio the Confederate soldier will soon
be only glorious name and an imper-
ishable memory to posterity and to his
tory. This is probably the last opportunity
when it will be possible to elect Con-
federate soldier governor of Alabama. AS
a type of that soldiery and as one who
gave four years and quarter of his life
and service in contributing to the cause
to which it's valor was consecrated, 1t
would be to me the height and crown
of my life's ambition to know that in
the verdict of this election that title of
the last Confederate soldier governor of
Alabama had been coined and fashioned
for me. Fellow citizens. this distinction
does not appeal purely in the light of
sentimental desire. | know from assur-
ances that l have everywhere received
from my old comrades in arms. that the
high honor will not lack bestowal from
failure on their part to touch elbows and
measure steps in a common struggle and
united purpose in this campaign.
Great Agricultural Interests
'If have some claim on the regard
of the Confederate soldiers of Alabama
in this campaign, | am proud to think
that they are not an exclusive class to
fort and service rendered in a common
interest and cause. All of the years of
my life, except the four proud ones
gave to Alabama and the south under
the flag of secession, have been devoted
to the farm and farming interests. l,
therefore, think | can becoming1y refer
to the special concern with which the
states relations to her agricultural in
terests would appeal to me as governor.
without favoring one interest to another
in my executive policy this wonderful re-
source to the states greatness would nat
urally address itself as one for special in
terest and care. Alabama can and should
be In the very front rank of agricul-
tural states. If I am governor, as I ex-
pect to be, the best effort of my life
will be put forth to make her such, and
my aim will be to feature my administra-
ton by making 1t the greatest in the
history of the state In the upbuilding and
betterment of our agricultural interests.
The great work of farm demonstration
now being carried on so successfully and
profitably to the farmers OF the state
Jointly by the United States government
and the state, / most heartily commend
and indorse. l think I can affirm with
out arrogance and with all due respect
for the solicitude manifested by Mr.. Seed
for the farming masses and with proper
regard to Governor Comer's reptlted con-
Germ in the victimized. rate cursed buyer
and shipper of agricultural products. that
my long official connection with the farm
ers of Alabama qualities me to know and
judge more of their real need, and to
serve demands that our present agricul-
tural conditions address, than any other
candidate In this race. My nomination
In the primaries will elevate into the gov
errorss chair for the first time since the