The Newport plain talk. (Newport, Tenn.) 1909-1939, 1914-04-30

ttStNs W. NV WV
In announcing his candidacy for the
Democratic nomination for governor
at the convention of May ~, 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 speech which Mr.. Preston
will deliver at Murfreesboro, April 25,
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 a coun-
try school teacher at $50 month, he
has forced his way to the front, until
to-day he stands without a peer in the
state as a business man, and he prom
Uses, if elected, to give the state real
business administration. He is not a
politician, but a 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
would be a candidate for the Democratic
nomination for governor. 1t is worthy
ambition to be governor of Tennessee, and
do not hesitate to say | would like to
be governor and believe | can be of some
service to this state in that capacity If
tho convention Nav Of IN
nominate me, / will do my utmost to bring
about Democratic success Ii they should
nominate another, he will have my active
support
it is proper for those who are to be
considered for this high office to give a
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. A 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-
bition bill. | was of this number. They
believed, as President Wilson does, in
prohibition should never have been made
party question | believe a man can be
Democrat and be Prohibitionist, and
equally as good 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 it means ma
jority rule. On account of the disturbed
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
fair trial l believe they should be hon
estly 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
to see that all laws are enforced. | was
in favor of the passage of the so-called
law enforcement bills, and so expressed
myself in public interview. These laws
could not have been passed except for
the support given them by Democrats
They were finally passed by practically
unanimous vote of the Democrats of
the last legislature, and ! beneve the
perfect propriety stand for the mainte-
nance and enforcement of these laws
without in any way sacrificing their honor
or surrendering principle. Person
ally, L ldNOT IIle maintenance ana ENFORCE
ment of these laws and treating these
questions as closed, and believe the peo-
pie 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 polit-
ical complexion OF the legislature. The
present election law itself is, think, as
good as we have ever had. The trouble
Is largely with its execution The Demo-
cratic party, st least in one election re-
Gently, did not have fair representation
at the polls. No honest man would want
to deny them that right. l am in favor
except that the three state commissioners
of election should be elected by a direct
vote of the people, giving fair representa-
ton to both majority and minority par
ties.
For Direct Primary.
The people, l believe, favor direct
Of all candidates for office. / know of
no other way by which a direct express
sion of the will of the people can be had;
| know of no other way corrupt interests
and party bosses can be eliminated from
politics. The primaries we have had in
the past, like many conventions, have
been outrag unfair
| also favor a new constitution. We
are really living under the constitution of
1884, admirably adapted to that period no
doubt, when the population of the state
was less than one-third what 1t is now,
when we had not a mile of railroad, not
mile of telegraph lines, no cities and
few towns of consequence, and no conf
mercial or industrial interests. For more
than thirty years the growth and devel-
opment of Tennessee has been cramped
by an inadequate constitution. The peo-
pie have moved, but the constitution has
stood for nearly eighty years.
Tennessee is one of the five states that
has no highway department. We have
As, 900 miles of highway, and less than
5000 miles improved Nearly all the
states have taken hold of the road propo-
sition, most of them with vigor and in
telligence. Few things would add so much
to the prosperity and happiness of the
people as q frst-class system Of high