The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-07-13
GOVERNOR ROBERTS
!. At SHELbYv|LLE
|. FLAyS OPPONENTS
Opens Middle Tennessee Cam
paign in Bedford County
With Enthusiastic Audience
of 1000.

~ oppoSltlon 10 GoV. ROBERTS in
bedford county is melting under the
clear, convincing speeches which he
delivered here Monday, when he spoke
70 more than 1000 voters in his three
,appolntments ,a He took occasion to
the various interpretations which his
opponents have circulated as to the
operation of the tax laws, and his
speeches met with a favorable recep-
tlon. He was repeatedly applauded, and
at the conclusion of his address many
came up to shake hands and assure him
OF their support.
His first stop was at Wartrace. where
ne spoke to 250 citizens. most of whom
$1,000 $1,000 Tor an hour and a half in the
street to hear him.
He was introduced by Mayor E. L.
Blackman, who said:
=, Ladies and Gentlemen-I am glad of
tne opportunity to present to you man
who has incurred the dispeasure of
TO see great wrong and injustice and
who has undertaken to right it, man
has regard for the oath of office he
TOOK when going In the governors chair:
man who had backbone enough when
anarchy raised its head at Knoxville to
put 1t down; man who had rather be
right than governor"
The governor was given an ovation
when he entered the courtroom here.
There were over 500 present to greet
him, and all available space was oc-
cupied, with many standing in the
aisles and about the walls.
The meeting was presided over by
Charles 8. Ivie, prominent local attor-
by Squire j. W. Frost, who said there
were those who were attempting to rob
the governor of his honors.
There are those" he continued, who
would even cruelty him on Crabtree."
Mr. Frost said that the governor had
the courage of his convictions when he
saw the financial plight, and was game
enough to. put the equalization bills
over. He's the best governor Tennes-
see ever had" he continued. Hes a
man Of ability, a courageous man and
honest and he Is worthy of reelection
and you can not beat that sort with
man who can neither speak, read nor
make signs
Speaks at Flat Creek.
The governor spoke at night to a
some eight miles from here. He was
introduced by the Rev. Ernest Bryant.
have been watching % deyeiopments % i'm in
this section for the past few weeks are
unanimous in the opinion that Bedford
may safely be placed in the Roberts
column.
my opponents have been telling you
folks. that these Roberts tax laws will
double your taxes" said the governor,
"Well, let's see If they are right The
figures show that under the new as
sessment Bedford county will pay all
and you'll get more than that back from
the state In rural school taxes by rea-
son of the operation Of the 5-cent rural
school tax law, which | drew myself.
and which the last legislature passed.
going to be robbed?'' The governor ex-
planned the operation of the sliding
scale, and showed that the amount to
be collected In taxes under the new
law was $2,S00,O00, regardless OF whether
the assessment amounted to $500, 900, 900
or $4,000, 900, 900.
He also showed the Injustice of
making a flat raise in the tax rate of
10 per cent, as that method would only
have had the effect to make the burden
heavier on those n.tos which were
already paying more than sheir share
of taxes under the old system Of in
equality.
He made his points with telling effect |
aud from various remarks ncted the
governor set at rest some statements
sent out by the opposition that were
entirely different from the eNplana-
tion.
III you eject men to the legislature
pledged to the repeal Of these tax laws
flock into the federal court. If YOU
go back to the old system Uf inequa..ty
and enjoin the state from collecting |
them because Of the decision Of the |
United States supreme court in the |
Kentucky cases which settles this
And am one taxpayer who viii do
it, too" said Phil Scudder, amid ap-
plause.
When Gov. Roberts had told the |
platform pledges of 1914, when the Iarty |
was committed to a tax equalization |
program he asked his hearers If they |
were going to condemn HIM for DC |
ing what the party had asked to be |
done, especially aft er they had endorsed |
Gov Rye for trying ami falling? There |
were cries OF mo, no." from the
audience.
What is in the Democratic platform |
is Democratic" he continued. This |
very tax reform program was in the |
platform, and l deny the charge made !
by one of my opponents that these |
laws are undemocratic He can not de- |
fend his position If he argues until he |
is white haired. He mas refused to |
meet me to discuss these matters be- |
cause he knows he Is all wrong. Either |
man who wrote that piece for him to |
get close enough to prompt him in de-
bate"
The governor said he knew the tax |
reform program was big job and that |
il would prove rather unpopular. But |
l hope no man will ever be |
elected governor Of Tennessee who is |
agrad to be unpopular when the well
fare of his state is at stake"
Gov. Roberts said that no ballot cast |
by the voters in Tennessee meant as
much to the state as the ballots they |
were TO cast in August and November.
"Tennessee's honor is at stake" he
said, land the principles enunciated in
these tax laws are the very essence of
Democracy - place the burden of
taxation on all alike.
He was loudly applaudel when he re-
ferrcd to the program Of his opponents
az obstructive" AMI the Democratic
program as constructive"