Dresden enterprise and Sharon tribune. (Dresden, Tenn.) 1907-1997, 1920-07-16
IETER'S RECORD
IN LEGISLATURE

the last legislature.
l feel it my duty to give an ac-
count of my conduct as representa-
tive of Weakley county in the last
legislature. In doing this | shall make
no effort to lead or mislead anyone
that l may again become the repre-
tative of Weakley county.
Ordinarily when men have con-
Quoted themselves properly and
taken proper care of the interest of
the public they are due to be re-en-
dorsed. If l am returned to the leg
islature by the people shall make
no surrender of their rights before
or after / am elected.
We thought at the time when we
voted for the new tax law that it
was a good law. We studied it from
every angle and hesitated considera-
bly,. After deciding that it would
equalize taxation and reduce the
rate and put the whole tax system
in better shape, passed the bill.
When the special assessors came
into the county to look up proper
ties that had not been properly as
sessed which was their duty told
them at the time that l did not feel
that the property ought to be raised
for taxation to these inflated values
for basis of taxation. If the prop
critics have been assessed wrong
they can and no doubt will be read
justed.. s-..,
In the 10 bills I handled were
eight special school districts. was
glad to establish the eight special
school districts, for the strength Of
this county depends upon the OPP
portunitiesd afforded the children
for education, and our farmers are
waking up to the fact that to build
up their own communities by build
ing good schools will keep their citi-
zenship at home and in tact.
voted against the memorial CAPT
tai annex bill carrying with it an ex-
pense to the state of one million and
two hundred thousand dollars, not
including the amounts subscribed by
Davidson county and the city of
Nashville. We had already passed
a law in the state legislature provid-
ing that each county should have a
right in their courts to appropriate
for the building of memorial build
ings or in other ways providing
memorials. l was opposed to chang
ing the governors mansion for the
Warner home at an expense to the
state of forty thousand dollars addi-
tional, helped to defeat the pro-
posed bill to open the picture shows
in the state of Tennessee on the
Sabbath day, and also what was
known as the breeders bill to re-es-
tablish horse racing in Tennessee
l was against the raising Of the sal
airy of the attorneys general and the
Judges. We had lots to meet and
vote against in requests for raising
of salary all along the line. l voted
against the $3.50 given to the repre-
sentatives, as extra pay and re-
ceived the check for that amount af-
ter supreme court had decided it was
correct; l refused to introduce what
is known as the Weakley county
road law that put one dollar on
buggies, two dollars on wagons
fifteen dollars on log wagons, etc.
in which each citizen was required
to have tagged at cost of 25c each
and the people sustained me in it al
a mass meeting at the court house
l was opposed to the fifty million
dollar road law. It has been init
mated that we need a progressive
road man. / realize we must have
and will have better road building
don't think any man can justly
charge me with not being progress
sive in conducting my own bushes;
affairs where 1 had to do the pay.
ing, but l shall take the privilege
always to hesitate as long as an
a servant of the people that | may
Lave recommendation from them
l have never had any ambitions
or motives except to do the will Of
the people. l have never considered
that any official had right to ex
ercise any privileges affecting The
public welfare to conserve individu
al interest. If I am to serve the
people l shall not compromise any
of their rights if / know it. l may
make some mistakes in my voting
but l sail always exercise my best
judgment for the public interest.
/ feel it my duty to stand for re-
election or reimbursement. want
RI thank the peonIe apain for the