The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-06-19
Stands on Platform.

The Democratic platform of 1914
committed the party, in strong and un-
mistakable language, to the reform Of
the assessment system and to the cor
rection of the embarrassing financial
conditions which prevailed.
The Democratic party again in 1916
in language as strong as the language
in the platform of 1914, declared for
the reformation of our taxing system,
that equality in taxation might be at
tanned, justice to the taxpayer admin
istered, and the current expenses Of
the state promptly met.
In 1913, | became a candidate for
the Democratic nomination for governor
in state wide primary, and made an
extended campaign throughout the state.
/ openly, clearly and unequivocally ad-
vocated the reformation of our taxing
system along the lines declared for in
the Democratic platform Of 1914 and
1915 After. having acquainted the
Democrats of Tennessee with my views,
and after having made definite prom
ises that, II elected. would reform the
taxing system of this state If sup
ported by the legislature, | was selected
as the Democratic nominee in the pri-
mary. / then went before the people
in the November election and consist
emily continued to advocate the same
reforms, with the result that I was
elected in November 1918. The Demo-
cratic party has thus in three success
siVe campaigns consistently advocated
the correction Of our unjust and iniqui-
tous assessment system in this state and
is now again to pass upon the same
issue BY your action at the polls in
August next, you will express your ap-
proval or disapproval of the express
declarations Of the party made in its
platforms and of the record thereon
made by Gov. Rye. the legislature and
myself; and especially win you say
whether I am to be indorsed or con-
demned for following the instructions
of the party"
reason for the new assessment law and
continued:
THE total assessment of the state
for 1918 was $726, ,000,00 1t was esti-
mated that the state needed about two
. hundred thousand dollars additional an
. nually from this source. In order to
!. secure the sum it was necessary to in
crease the assessment or the rate by
about 10 per cent,
Fays His Enemies.
The effort being made to convince
the people that their taxes win be in
creased two, three or four times Is the
work of the designing demagogue. Any
statement to the effect that taxes will
be increased in Tennessee two or three
times or that the sum total of taxes
paid will even be increased Is per cent
Is pure fabrication without the slight
est foundation, in fact, and those re-
sponeible for the circulation OF such
falsehoods know themselves that such
statements are untrue. These dema-
gogues are not content with repudiating
the platform of the Democratic party
and defying the expressed will OF the
party, but they now have descended
to the base and unscrupulous plane Of
unadulterated falsehood.
"A newspaper in Tennessee which is
now repudating the platform adopted by
tho Democratic party, and which has
been contriving and conniving for sew
eral months to disrupt the party and to
incite factional contests within tho
party, Indifferent to the effect of such
contests on party success in November.
in an editorial only few days ago
stated that:
Takes will be as much in 1920 as
they have been for the last five years
combined
This same paper In May, 1919, be-
/ fore il had sunk to that depth from
which there is no further descent, said,
in discussing and In commencing the
same tax laws which this paper now
condemns:
- There will be no material increase
in the amount Of taxes paid by the
honest taxpayer
THE plain truth Is that there will
he an increase in state revenue under