Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1914-05-07

In announcing his candidacy for the
Democratic nomination for governor
at the convention of May 81, the Hon
Thomas r. Preston has issued formal
statement, setting forth his views on a
few of the important political issues
This will be followed by fuller state
ment of these questions and other
issues In a speech which Mr.. Preston
and this will be followed by other
speeches over the state.
Mr.. Preston is As years of age. He
was born and reared on farm In Can.
non county Beginning. life as coun,
try school teacher at $50 a month, he
has forced his way to the front, until
to-day he stands without peer in the
state as business man, and he prom.
Uses, II elected, to give the state a real
business administration. He is not a
politician, but close student of Ten
nessee politics. with a clear under,
standing OF the needs of the people.
Mr.. Preston's statement in full fol-
lows:
Many have asked me whether or not J
would be candidate for the Democratic
nomination for governor 1t Is worthy
ambition to be governor of Tennessee, and
l do not hesitate to say / would like to
be governor, and believe | can be of some
service to this state in that capacity. Ii
the convention on May 81 sees proper to
nominate me, will do my utmost to bring
about Democratic success. If they should
nominate another, he will have my active
support.
1t is proper for those who are to be
considered for this high office to give
frank expression of their views on public
questions before the meeting of the con
vention, and | shall therefore attempt to
briefly state some of mine.
Liquor Question Settled.
One of the disturbing political features
In the past has been the liquor question.
Men of all political parties differ widely
on that subject. large number believed
that the old way of extending the four
mile law, which had been the practice in
Tennessee for thirty-two years, was the
proper course to pursue, and were against
what was known as the statewide prohi-
believed, as President Wilson does, in
the principle of local option, and that
prohibition should never have been made
party question. believe a man can be
a Democrat and be a Prohibitionist, and
equally as good a Democrat and be for
local option. The Democratic party has
been the real temperance party of this
state. Certain laws are upon the statute
books, placed there by majority OF the
representatives of the people, and If de-
mocracy means anything 1t means ma
political conditions in Tennessee and the
intense hostility that has prevailed be-
tween the executive and legislative de-
partments, these laws have not had a
~fnI h-Iin hoo Oh l. L.
esty and rigidly enforced, as well as all
other laws. Men may differ as to what
should be the law, but when once upon
the statute books there can be no differ
ence of opinion as to their enforcement,
and every proper means should be taken
to see that all laws are enforced. / was
in favor of the passage of 1he so-called
law enforcement bills, and so expressed
could not have been passed except for
the support given them by Democrats
They were finally passed by practically
a unanimous vote of the Democrats OF
the last Legislature, and believe the
party in Tennessee can with
perfect propriety stand for the mainte-
nance and enforcement of these laws
without in any way sacrificing their honor
or surrendering principle. Person |
ally, | favor the maintenance and enforce |
ment of these laws and treating these
questions as closed, and believe the peo-
Pile can now turn their attention broadly |
and periodically to other questions which |
are so pressing for solution.
The election law should not be the foot |
ball OF politics and the election machin- |
cry shift back and forth with the poiit- |
cal complexion of the legislature. The |
present election law itself is, | think, as !
good as we have ever had. The trouble |
,ratic party, at least in one election re-
emily, did not have fair representation
1t the polls No honest man would want
Q deny them that right. l am in favor
~ m a N inD hn ~. /
Except that the three state commissioners
If election should be elected by a direct
,ote OF the people, giving fair representa-
ion to both majority and minority par
les.
For Direct Primary. !
The people, believe, favor a direct
egalized primary law for the nomination
If all candidates for office. | know OF
10 other way by which a direct express
ion of the will of the people can be had
nd party bosses can be eliminated from
,olitics. The primaries we have had in
ne past, like many conventions, have
'een outrageously unfair.
| also favor a new constitution We
re really living under the constitution OF
S34, admirably adapted to that period no
oubt, when the popula ton of the state
vas less than one-third what it is now.
When we had not mile of railroad, not
mile OF telegraph lines. no cities and
ew towns Of consequence, and no COM
1erclal or industrial interests. For more
han thirty years the growth and devel-
pment of Tennessee has been cramped
y an inadequate constitution. The peo-
lie have moved, but the constitution has
TODD for nearly eighty years.
Tennessee is one of the five states that
as no highway department We have
5000 miles of highway, and less than
900 miles improved. Nearly all the
tates have taken hold of the road propo-
ition. most OF them with vigor and in
diligence. Few things would add so mupb
0 the prosperity and happiness of the
or.la Arat- o1a /