The states-graphic. (Brownsville, Tenn.) 1???-1984, 1917-01-26
RYE INAUGURATED
FOR SECOND TERN
Continued from PAGE ID

1t endorses the policy of workinl
eonvicts on the public highways.
1t declares in favor of abolishine
the convict lease system as soon a.
deemed advisable.
& Declares in favor of a workman's
compensation law.
Demands the passage of an act for
bidding the use of free passes.
! Declares for an act forbidding lob
lbying.
Declares in favor Of all cooperative
movements and Legislation for the ben
eft of the farmers.
For the development of our agricul-
tural interests.
For legislation that may be needed
to increase the efficiency of the state
banking department and pure food
and drugs department
/ To me this platform is not a mere
scrap of paper" but it has meaning.
and ! favor the enactment into laws.
at this session of the general assem-
bly,, every measure declared for by the
party in that document. Good faith
with the people, whose servants we
are demands this much at our hands.
If these laws should prove unwise or
hurtful they can and will be repealed
by future legislation.
The splendid program of practical
and progressive legislation approved
by the democratic party should, and
no doubt will, appeal to the represen-
tatives of all parties. Their enact
ment into law should be a matter of
duty and Of conscience with those of
us who owe allegiance to the demo-
cratic platform. In this connection il
affords me pleasure to state that thus
TAR, IN the deliberations Of the general
assembly we have found our republi-
can brothers striving with might and
main, as the good citizens they are.
to aid the majority party in their ef-
fort to pass constructive legislation
for the good of all the people, and |
entertain the hope, and confidently be-
heve that this course upon their part
VIII continue during the entire ses-
sion OF the legislature.
During the years of fractional strife
through which we have just passed but
little time was devoted to methods of
economy and efficiency in the admins
tratlon of the states government. IL
am glad to say that these days are
past and gone, let US hope, forever, and
now the public is keenly alive to the
Importance of needed and necessary
legislation for the good of the whole |
state, and the people will demand of
US an accounting when our labors here
shall have ceased.
| have in different messages called
attention to the financial needs of the
state, have endeavored to furnish
all the data and information | could
gather bearing upon this important
subject for the zrse of cdtmittees and |
members of the general assembly.
1t was inevitable that financial diff !
culties should overtake us when, MANY
years ago we undertook to establish |
normal schools in the state, and began
to contribute with lavish hand to the |
laudable cause of public schools and /
increased pensions for Confederate
soldiers without making provisions for
additional revenues.
We have arrived now where the
question must be dealt with by the gen
eral assembly in such a way as to !
provide an increase of revenue suffi- |
cient to meet the just obligations of
the state.
During my two years service as
! have sought to impress
upon the heads Of all departments and
employees Of the public service, for
which ! am in any way responsible.
the necessity Of practicing the strict
est economy and the duty they owe
OF rendering full days service for the
pay which they receive. The result is
we can point to a larger number of
unexpended special appropriations and
a larger saving from special appro-
prlatlons than has occurred, perhaps
under any previous administration. /
have sought in every possible manner
to develop efficiency and economy in
the public business. / am anxious that
every department of the states gov
eminent shall be carefully examined
and such reduction made in the num-
Der OF employees as may be done with
out impairing the efficiency of the ser
vice. If there are useless Offices they
should be abolished; if bureaus or de-
partments can be consolidated with
out detriment to the service it should
be done.
The laws relating to our state insti-
buttons; to the better care and treat
ment of those who are, and should be.
wards of the state, demand much
thought and many changes in order to
bring them up to that high degree of
efficiency consistent with the duties a
great state owes to it's dependent and
helpless ones 1t must be admitted
that in social and humanitarian leg
lslation we are far behind our more
progressive sister states.
In all the questions affecting the
public welfare | bespeak for the gen
eral assembly the helpful counsel and
the friendly advice Of the public press
and Of the people.
To the members of the general as
sembly often sorely pressed to decide
between the platform pledges, public