The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1915-01-22
RYE STANDS To LETTER
BY PLATFORM PLEDGES
The Governor Respects His Party
Platform Declarations.

Showing his mammoth audience at
the Ryman Auditorium that he stands
four-square for the platform pledges
made by the Democratic party because
he believes they are right, and ham
mering home his points in an earnest
manner that left no doubt as to his de-
termination to stick to his word, Tom
G. Rye, Tennessee's new Governor, de-
livered his inaugural address Friday
1t was a clean-cut, straightforward dec
laration of principles.
The address is in full as follows:
Fellow citizens: We have assembled
for the purpose of formally transferring
the executive branch of the States gov
erment from the hands of citizen elect
en- as the representative of one of the
griat political parties Of the State into
my hands and keeping as the chosen
representative of another great political
party.
This trust about to be committed to
me is indeed a sacred one, and when
sealed by the oath the constitution re-
quires shall be taken, I shall become
the representative of all the people, and
as such it shall be my purpose to dedi-
cate my all to their nterests-humbly
consecrating myself to the service of
tue State, indulging the hope that some
good may come to her and her institu-
tions by reason of the efforts l shall
make to render some service in return
for the honor conferred upon me by her
splendid citizenship. | sincerely trust
that the same desire, the same ambi-
ton, may inspire every chosen repre-
sentative of the people to the end that
platform pledges may be redeemed and
the States best interests subserved.
'The star of Bethlehem was indeed
the star of hope to waiting, watch
ing world and, guided by its dazzling
spendor, the wise men of the east were
permitted to stand in the presence of
the living Christ-child, the saviour of
the world So may the determination
to do something for Tennessee be the
star of hope that shall guide our foot
steps into paths that lead to wise and
beneficial legislation for the people, that
peace on earth, good will toward men,
may be the anthem that shall greet the
ears of united people and gladden.
their hearts as in the days of old.
STATES INTEREST SACRIFICED.
1t is not necessary that | should call
to the fact that for the past
few years our politics have so disturbed
and divided our people that we have
been unable to have the benefit of wise
and beneficial legislation along lines
to the material welfare and advance
ment of the State. | do not refer to |
this by way of criticism but merely to
emphasize the fact that, during this
period Of our States his
tory, orderly and constitutional govern
ment was impossible, and the result
seems to have been that the States in
terest was sacrificed on the affairs of
selfshness for political and factional
advantage at the cost of the States
progress and to the neglect of our best
interests.
Our State is burdened with an in
lebtedness which has been but slightly
reduced during all these years while the
expenses of government have increased
I'VE enter upon the important and
sxacting duties of new year and new
with an empty treasury,
n the midst of great business depres-
lion occasioned by waht seems to be
bloody war in the old world.
Our system of assessment and col
ection renders unequal the burden of
axation and our revenue is wholly in
ldequate to meet the increased demands
,f the government.
The system of control and manage
nent of our charitable and penal insti-
utions is not in keeping with the prog
ess of the times, is unbusinese-like in
many respects and wasteful of the pub
ic fund. Our public school system re-
elves one-third of the gross revenues
# the State and still theAeducationa
dvantages which should accrue to our ;
hildren have not yet come to them. {
is this true of the children
Who must depend upon the rural schools.
he laws governing the expenditure of
he school funds should be carefully re- \
ised and the system improved so that
very child in Tennessee shall reap the i
ull benefits of this vast expenditure of
money. The home and the school are q
be two great forces behind real man. {
ood and womanhood. We have suf-
cient school sentiment and enthusiasm {
, meet the demands of the hour. What t
re want now is school houses and school 8
sachers with sufficient time to do the S
'ork necessary for the benefit of the
i lliiiiiiGdfree:a to the end that the money set
part for public education shall be made e