The Adair County news. [volume] (Columbia, Ky.) 1897-1987, 1915-03-17
McCHESNEY ENTERS RACE
FOR GOVERNORSHlP
Stands for Constitutional Amendment Submitting
to the People Vote on Statewide Prohi-
bition of Sale of Liquor.
Says it Must Be Determined Whether They the
sWhiskey Interests Shall Rule Kentucky.

With the declaration in favor of State
sale Of Intoxicating liquors as the chief
plank In his platform, the Hon. H. V.
McChesney, of Frankfort, has announced
himself as candidate for the Demo
State primary of next August.
Mr.. McChesney declares that if nomi-
mated and elected, he will urge upon the
General Assembly to submit to the people
t tS thelf 1auhcaIon an amendment TO
Statewide prohibition. In the formal an
nouncement of his candidacy, Mr.. Nc
Chesney, who several years ago filled the
Offices of State Superintendent of Public
instruction and Secretary of State, prom
lses an abridgement of public expenditures
where 1t can be properly done, and the
further advancement of the present prog
ress in educational and agricultural de-
yelopment.
His announcement is as follows:
ITO the Democratic voters of Kentucky:
After mature elaboration l hav decided
to enter the race for the Democratic NOM
ination for the office of Governor, in the
primary to be held August z, 1915. In
making this announcement it is due those
whose support / seek that ! briefly outline
the policies / advocate.
I am in favor of state wide prohibition
OF the manufacture and sale of intoxicat-
ing liquors. If nominated and elected I
shall urge upon the Legislature of 1916
the passage of an Act submitting a pro-
hibition amendment to the Constitution to
the people for their ratification. In view
OF the large amount of capital invested in
the liquor business, however, ] shall favor
a provision in the Act giving reasonable
time, after its ratification, before 1t be-
comes operative, in order that those en-
gagged in the business may adjust their
affairs without too great a sacrifice.
have no fault to find with the County
Unit Law. have favored every advanced
step taken in its various amendments. 1t
is a step in the right direction, and has
been a great blessing to the Common,
wealth. Under it log counties have voted
dry; but the remaining counties contain
very considerable part of the total popu-
seems inadequate to give relief to the peo-
pie of most of these counties. And again,
the liquor interests, instead of showing
respect for the County Unit Law, and for
polls have been contesting every election
where the result was dry, and going into
ity, in an effort to defeat the will of the
people. Not only has this been their atti-
tude toward the law and its enforcement,
but they have made it their business to
bitterly oppose every man who aSpireS to
public office who does not take his orders
from them. temperance man can not
run for any Office in Kentucky, however
humble, without feeling the weight of
their wrath, expressed in the usual way.
Their efforts to dominate the politics of
the State have increased as county after
county has been added to the dry column,
until their influence has become menace
TO popular government.
In view of all this it seems that there
is but one solution to the problem, and
that is to submit it to the whole people
that we may know once and for all time
whether the people or the liquor interests
are to rule in Kentucky. Not only is this
the logic of the situation, but it is abso-
lutely fair. Who can be heard to say that
the people as a whole haven't a right to
pass on a question SO vitality affecting
e L1sx fraor faI rrvn1f 60 rAO ITD
submit good roads amendments and taxa
ton amendments to the whole people
why not submit this question, infinitely
more vital to them?
AS stated above, i am not unmindful
of the property interests involved. 1t is
TO be regretted that moral reforms often
bring financial loss to some; but the pub
lie conscience justifieS the loss to the few
when it means an infinitely greater saw
ing to the many. The onward march of
Christian civilization must not be retarded
because a few men have invested their
money in the business constituting the
obstruction.
My familiarity with the financial affairs
of the State, as a result Of eight years
intendent of Public Instruction and Sec
rotary of State, and as a member of the
Sinking Fund Board, leads me to the be-
lief that such revision of our taxation
system can be made as will readily reduce
the State debt, and make good any de-
crease in revenues that might arise from
the loss of the tax on liquors. And this
can be done without any increase of the
tax rate. Saving State revenues is just
as important as producing them. With
the elimination of the liquor business from
Kentucky the saving to the State in GRIM
1nal prosecutions alone would be an enor-
nous item, and go far toward a solution
Of the financial problem. If the money
spent for liquor in Kentucky, and for
criminal prosecutions growing out of its
use can be saved, in half a dozen years
We can relieve the financial situation OF
the State and build macadam road to
every church and school house in the
Commonwealth
Another large saving can be accom-
plished by the elimination of all useless
Offices, and if elected l shall institute {