Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1913-01-02

Gov. Ben w. Hooper has issued the
following statement relative TO 'ne
Tennessee legislative situation:
'The probable course of the Legisia-
ture as to many public matters has
been discussed in the press for the last
six weeks, and my attitude has been
occasionally misrepresented. Perhaps
some of the legislators have been like
wise misrepreseuted My position has
not been misunderstood by any intelii'
gent man nor misconstrued by any
honest one.
81 stand today where stood before
the election and / stand for the people
for whom [ have stood for more than
two years In 1910 l was elected over
the most popular man Tennessee ever
had. In 1919 l was elected over com
bination of the most adverse circum-
stances with which any man ever sue
cessfully contended. My triumph In
both instances was the triumph OF
majority of the clean, honest, citizen
shin of this state over crooked organi-
cations financed by corrupt interests.
have never by thought, word or ac-
tion, been disloyal to these people,
and, God being my helper, l will leave
the Office of Governor with clean
hands, and, 1 hope, with the approval
of my friends and the respect OF my
enemies.
.sTbere are many rumors as to what
the Legislature will do and particular
" as to what certain Republican
members will do. Personally, it is not
material to me what any of them DO
If do my own duty and discharge my
obligation to the people.
"But in broad political sense am
concerned as to the legislators. When
I.was elected by the people as the Gov
erpor of this state was designated as
tbe leader of the forces which elected
me. Woodrow Wilson was right,
when as Governor of New Jersey, ne
took up before the Legislature the
fight of the people, and actively ana
constantly worked and conferred with
the legislators to the end that the e1-
nress will of the people should not be
rhwarted. / have always pursued the
same course and, within decent, dis
Greet and constitutional grounds will
continue to do so, newspaper criticism
to the contrary Notwithstanding.
RIGHTS OF THE PEOPLE.
"Just here l want to say to the peo-
nle of Tennessee, who elected the Gov
e,nor and the Legislature. You should
not sit down, considering your WORK
arded. You have the constitutional
right to present petitions and protests
TO YOUR member of the Legislature,
and Il is your duty to do SO when the
occasion demands.
sI want to say to the people OF this
state that there is now an organized
lobby and movement to corruptly con-
troll. by purchase, direct or Indirect
members of the Legislature.
s.This effort seems to be directed es-
pecially at Republican members. sc
far it has largely proven failure. ou'
the effolts still continue. Republican
members of the Legislature were call
ed to Regular Democratic teadquar'
ters in Nashville last week with theil
expenses paid by Regular Democratic
money. Who is putting up this mon
eyf
"They have been called into confer
snce with Rice A. Pierce, Lon McFar
land and others, and offered gratui
tons advice as to bow TO conduct them
selves as Republican members OF the
Legislature.
aThey have been furnished expense
money to go to East Tennessee and SCI
csrtain other Republican members OF
the Legislature and induce them tf
come to Nashville and confer witt
Rice Pierce & Co. at regular heao
nnarte,s In order that they may bt
Itaught how to properly represent thell
constituents up in East Tennessee
Thay wera instructed that the mel
thew brought down would also be paid
They were told that the regulars mus
have five Republican members IN tn'
uouse. and they were told whom tut
,rera TO try to seduce. They were CIV