The Parisian. (Paris, Tenn.) 1907-1962, 1918-07-19
RYE AND STATE FINANCES.

about the evil condition of state fl
nances that has been repeatedly ex-
posed in the gubernatorial campaign.
That is a pertinent question. 1t is
a matter that touches the Governors
personal efficiency. If he has allowed
the states fiscal affairs to drift into
such a wretched condition, and the
uncontrovertable facts show that he
has, what sort Of ability has he shown
that gives him a claim to be made
United States Senator?
Gov. Rye's administration of the
states fiscal affairs has been exceed
ingly loose, not to say positively in
competent, and the result must be
Increased burden to the tax payers
through higher assessments, larger
levies or an increased interest-bear-
ing debt at time when the war con-
ditions make government require
ments and the general cost of living
exceedingly high.
The candidates for the governors
office, wishing to succeed governor
Rye, have been exposing this bad con-
dition of state finances and dire need
of rectification not as an assault on
Governor Rye-it would be, proba-
bly,, to their political interest not to
attack candidates not competent for
the office to which they aspire-but
~c1a--se the people wish to place a
man at the head of state affairs ca
pable of giving good business adj
ministration and who will bring the
state back to the condition of few
years ago, when with an annual rev.
enue not more than half of what
it is now, there was surplus over
current expenses and sinking fund
was provided for reducing the state
debt.
During Governor Rye's first adj
ministration there was speculation
Systematically practiced by an en-
J ploye in the Secretary of States Of
flee, not revealed until the evidences
of what had been going on was dis
covered by a new occupant of the
office, though there was state ordi-
tor of the governors appointment,
supposed to keep supervision of the
books of the various departments.
There have been hints at irregular
tiles, or something worse, in another
department, to which the Lewisburg
correspondent makes reference, but
the governor is too absorbed with his
Senatorial aspirations to make a
probe.
Gov. Rye in his first administra-
ton stood by the law ENFORCEMENT
measures as he had promised to do.
He favored the custer law, though
he opposed the original provision dis
qualifying the custer official for re-
election for period of a. year.
The Banner endorsed his law en-
forcement record and urged his re-
election on that basis, but the close
of his four years in office shows lit
tie of a positive nature to his credit,
while the important matter Of fiscal
administration has teen wholly bad
and a general looseness and lack Of
either business or watchful care has
been displayed,
Now the governor, on that sort of
record, is out after a United States
senatorship, seeking to displace a man
Of marked ability and nigh standing
like Senator Shields, and the only
thing he has been able to raise like
an issue is the sale and odoriferous
SANDER of the Banne: and It's owner
by gangreened local contempt
rary, with gr;evanc, that the public
v II understand
If the governor expects the people
to give him higher honors, he should
at least offer some explanation of his
Plain delinquencies in the place with
which he has been trusted.-Nash-
vile Banner.