The log cabin Democrat., 1920-05-29
M'RAE DELIVERS
 OPENING SPEECH
ADDRESS SEARCY CROWD
Former Congressman Discusses I'm pOrtant Issues Without Attack
 ing Opponents.
(Parke- Harper News Service.)

(Parke-Harper News Service.)
 Searcy, May 29.-Col. T. c. Me Rae of Prescott delivered the opening speech of his campaign for governor here this afternoon to large audi ence of city and country people. He spoke at the courthouse and was in troduced by Col. S. Brundidge, with whom he served in congress for sev- eral years and who is ardently sup porting his candidacy.
 Col. McRae gave much attention to issues affecting education, agriculture, taxes, roads and highways, internal improvements, law enforcement and other questions vitally concerning the interests of the people.
 He advocated the abolition of the tax commission and the auditorial department, inisting that their duties be transferred to the auditor of state. He urged the abolition of the office of inheritance tax collector and that the attorney generals office be re- quired to do this work. Instead of the board of control, he advocated an honorary board to manage the state charitable institutions. He urged the necessity of abolishing the corporation commission and returning to the rail- road commission plan. He advocated statutes that will conform to federal laws on prohibition.
 Col. McRae declared that the law authorizing the governor to issue en- ergency proclamations for the pay ment of money is violation of the constitution. He said he had no apologies to make for his opposition to a new constitution, but favors the adoption of pending amendment No. Is, which hwill make more workable the initiative and referendum.
 Declaring that the main issue of this campaign is sensible program for simplifying state government and reducing it's expenses, he said
 "This will be much simpler than it might seem. I propose to stay on the job, l am not and never will be a candidate for the United States senate, as is the case with some of my opponents. Nor do I have any ambition to go out on dress parade before the people of other states, if elected. A governor should be what the name implies. He should keep in vital touch with the operation of the charitable institutions, the penal institutions, the educational institu- tions. The work of then various de- partments should be watched, and political manipulations prevented by those elected or appointed to these of fices'
 MT. RcRae dismissed his opponents with but few words, emitting to call any of them by name. He said:
 Il am unable to see how I could aid the cause of good government or common decency by matching methods with my opponents. I believe most of what they are telling on each other. l am not foolish enough to SUD- pose they will not attack me; they have been doing that already. but if permit them to engage me in the
 
 only kind of politics they are skilled in l will be at a disadvantage.
 He declares that the question of road building is of highest importance. lie gives figures to show what aid the federal government, as we'll as the state government, have rendered. II favor good roads, but with emphasis on good" he said. Further he de- clared::
 The general assembly made a mis- take when it plunged this compara- lively undeveloped state into road building program which calls, for $500 miles of roadway, to cost from Sl15,00O,00O to $140,000, ,000,0O0, with no provision for maintenance. If all these roads were actually constructed they would cost one third as much as the assessed value of all the lands of the state.
 Il suggest to all commissioners who have not yet let contracts to not do so, until money and labor conditions. and cost of materials, become more favorable. Nor should a road be pushed where a majority of citizens are opposed to it."