The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-06-28
ROBERTS DEF|ES
CRABTREE To Join
IN JOINT DEBATE
Tells Candidate for Governor
to Continue Speeches and
Not Bother About His Own
Engagement.

-
ALAMO, Tenn, June 2S. (SplD-Re-
plylns To-Day to the proposal of his op-
ipnent for the Democratic nomination
mat II a special session of the legis-
iatufe were convened Immediately 70
Tatlty the suffrage amendment, he.
Col. Crabtree, would withdraw from the
stump the day the Legislature convened
adia ada nOt return to the stump till the
adjournment of the extra session, Gov.
Roberts has sent the following:
Tenn. Dear Sir:
e our telegram was received very late
saturday night last, This subject is
recelVlhg my careful consideration
your good faith in processing LOYALTY
TO the Democratic party in the nation
by offering to forego the advantage of
continuing on the stump il | should
nave to suspend my campaign is dis
proved by your repudiation of the vital
principles and well-defined policies of
state government clearly set forth in
the Democratic platform adopted at
Nashville on June s by the convention
TO which you were a delegate This
platform states
The reform tax measures enacted
by the last legislature redeem the
pledges of the Democratic party and
in three successive campaigns; keen
Ialtn with the people and are being ad-
minlstered cautiously, conservatfvely.
and efficiently, in a manner which will
insure equality in taxation and which
will not permit the large volume of
wealth to escape taxation in the fu-
ture. as it has in the past The Demo
cratic party is justly proud of its ac-
compllshments In effecting this much
needed and long delayed reform and
has again demonstrated it's capacity to
administer the affairs Of good govern
ment for the welfare of the whole peo-
pie and to the credit of the state. Had
the legislature failed or refused to in
augurate this reform 1t would not only
nave violated platform pledges but
would have been recreant to its-ttrust
and almost criminany negligent with re-
snhct to the welfare of the state.
when the present state Democratic
administration was inaugurated an an
nual deficit had been occurring in the
revenue receipts for several years, ana
the chief executive and the legislature
were faced with the alternative of either
reforming our taxing system SO as to
equalize the burden of the government
and produce the needed state revenue
or else continue to borrow money and
ultimately institute bankrupt proceed
lngs for the purpose of discharging the
obligations of the state. The credit
the pride, the dignity and the good
name of Tennessee were at stake. The
Democratic party fearlessly assumed the
task of redeemng the credit of Ten
nessee, of upholding its dignity and pre-
serving its good name.
when 1t is recalled that as a sena-
tor in 1917 you supported and voted for
senate bill M80 which provided for a
state tax commission to be appointed
by the governor and empowered and
required to compel the assessment of
all property at actual cash value to
institute custer proceedings to remove
ia xassessors and who were themselves
subject to removal by the governor,
your present antagonistiC attitude to-
ward the platform pronounCement of
the party becomes a matter of con-
Germ and needs public explanation.
Permit me- therefore, to suggest that
| very much desire that you may NOT
allow anything to interfere with your
open discussion OF those issues on the
stump. | shall continue to advocate
openly the policies and PRINCIPLES enun-
ciated in the platform and Would well
come an opportunity 10 join you in
discussion of these important questions
as often as you may desire. Having
learned that you have no speaking
dates this week | cordially invite you to
join me at my published appointments.
Your demagogic effort to inject
yourself unbidden into national politics
and to presume to dictate my course
as an official, is unworthy Of notice.
Very respectfully,
"A. II. ROBERTS"