The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1914-05-08
CANDIDATES FOR
THE LEGISLATURE
Speak at the CONTROVERSIAL foi
Law Enforcement.

dates Tor the Legislature appeared OF
the hustings. DR.. ]. f. Griffin, Of Lake
County, candidate for Floater, was the
first speaker. DIR. Griffin stated that
this is his first venture for office. He !;
a physician, and, besides large prac-
tice, he is cotton planter, and there.
fore vitality interested in all that per.
tains to the good Of that county. DR..
Griffin told the audience that Lake
County has no representation in the
Legislature on account of its size, and
is therefore dependent on the Floater
in the lower house to uphold her inter-
ests. It has been sixteen years since
this office was given to Lake County
man, and DIR. Griffin asked il it is not
fair for that county to share in the
honor and that his claims have friendly
consideration at this time. Dir. Griffin
explained to the audience his position
as near as possible by saying that he is
an Ed Carmack, Woodrow Wilson, Will
liam Jennings Bryan Democrat. He
said that he was follower OF Ed Car
mack in Tennessee, and upheld the
Statewide measures from the begin
ming. He followed the independent
movement until it took him to the polls
in the regular election and then he vot-
ed for the Democratic nominees. He
was one Of those who took advantage
OF everything possible to strengthen the
Statewide Prohibition movement ex-
cept to turn the State over to the Repub-
lican organization. He said that Ben-
ton McMillin's platform aud not that
gentleman personality caused his de-
feat for Governor. Governor Patterson
had more sense than to try it, and the
beloved Bob Taylor went down in de-
feat on local option platform. He
opposed Governor Patterson, but took
This medicine when it became necessary
to vote for the nominee. He was glad,
however, to see Governor Patterson take
the stand for temperance and renounce
his past record.
Mr. Morris Miles appeared in behalf
OF Mr.. Cochran, who is candidate for
Floater on the Democratic ticket, say
ing that Mr.. Cochran was gone to the
Jacksonville reunion and after that
would attend Presbytery. He was there
fore unayoidably absent, but would be
glad to meet his opponent IN joint dis
cussion at any other time during the
canvass.
Senator Elkins was the next speaker.
Mr.. Elkins is a candidate for e-elec-
ton to the State Senate from Weakley,
Lake and Obion counties, and be re-
gretted that his opponent was not pres
ent to participate in the discussion. Mr..
Elkins said that ne was in perfect ac-
cord with the administration Of Presi-
dent Woodrow Wilson. President Will
sou has accomplished more reforms in
the short space of time since his incum-
bency than any other President of the
United States had been able to accom-
plish during single term OF office.
Under the administration OF President
Wilson twovery important amendments
to the constitution have been adopted.
One of these is the election OF United
States Senators by popular vote and
the other the income tax, whereby $780,
900, 600 is derived from large incomes
TO dcfray the expenses OF Government,
thus equaIizing more fairly the burdens
Of taxation. Another is tariff reform,
which withdraws from the nianufactur-
ing trusts and corporations the special
privilege under which they have been
operating for years under the Repub-
Iican party, and contributes to a more
liberal policy in the distribution OF fa-.
yors among the people Of the United
States.
Mr.. Elkins. in referring to State pol
tics, said that he was no, in favor OF
turning the State over 70 the Repub.
lican party He first stated that he was
neither an independent nor a regular.
He preferred to say that be was simply
a Democrat, and that ne belonged to
no faction. In his code OF principles
first and foremost be favored direct
legalized primary election Tor all cleo
tive Offices In the State. In this be Is
evidently following the course OF Presi-
dent Wilson, who iavors national d.
rect prsnary election law, and is there
fore 10 be classed with the progressives
in modern politics. He i opposed to
the issuance Of free passes TO public Il