The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1913-11-04
Hon. James B. McCreary

County, KY, and all his life his home has been
there.
About forty years ago the people of his
home county chose him to represent them in
the lower house of the General Assembly of
Kentucky, and since that time most of his life
has been devoted to the service of the people
of his county and his state in the highest offices
that were within their gift.
Twice have the people Of his native state
elected him Governor, and he is now serving
his second term. In 1907 the Republican party
became dominant in Kentucky. Augustus E.
Wilson had been elected Governor by ma
jority of $4,000. The Democratic party torn
by factions and temporarily demoralized by
defeat, was powerless, and it seemed impossible
for it to muster sufficient strength to win in
1911.
But as the time for that election drew near
the Democratic leaders in all parts of the state
caucused together and sought a leader.
James B. McCreary was at that time Presi-
dent of the American Peace and Arbitration
League. He had been chosen to direct the des-
TIMES of of the greatest movements of the
century. He was leader of progressive men
and promoter of progressive measures. No
Kentuckian was better qualified that he to
reorganize his party in his state to readust its
differences and lead it to victory. He had rep
resented the Eighth District in Congress for
twelve years. He had served as Senator in a
manner that reflected credit himself and the
people who had sent him there. He had been
Governor, and his administration of that high
office was a standard of excellence.
All this known to the men Of that caucus,
and a delegation called on James B. McCreary
and asked him to become candidate for Gov
ernor. He slow to accept. His duties at
that time were pleasant and of high conse-
quence but, after deliberation, he accepted, re-
signed as President of the American Peace and
Arbitration League and entered the campaign.
The rest is fresh in the minds of Kentuckians
After one Of the most strenuous campaigns ever
made for this office, he overcame the $4,000
Republican majority and was elected by $1,000
majority. His administration has been essen
tally progressive. He is an apostle of good
roads and urged the Legislature to pass law,
which, without an increase in taxes, caused bet
ter roads to be had in every county in the
state He advocated a safer banking system
and got it. He wanted a Forestry law for the
protection of the forests and to encourage the
planting of trees, a tuberculosis commission to
fight that dreaded plague an extension of the
County Unit law for the increase of temper
ance, and in order that this question might be
taken out of politics, a Geological Survey to
prove the wealth of the state in mineral re-
sources and fish and game commission. All
of these were enacted into laws and each is
serving a good purpose even beyond the ex-
pectatons of the friends of the administration.
The Banking Commission and the Fish and
Game Commission are sef-supportng. The
Forestry Board and the Geological Survey are
largely supported by appropriations from the
United States Government and money derived
from automobile licenses supports the Good