Americus times-recorder., 1920-06-20
HOLDER OFFERS
PLATFORM In
GOVERNOR RACE
Says He is Not Running
For Vindication or
Honor

ATLANTA. June 19.-Declaring
that he was not runnig for "vindica-
tion nor to use the Office as step
ping stone to other honors," John
Holder today announced his platform
for governor in the following state
ment:
'To the People of Georgia With
the splendid accomplishments of the
Democratic party in war and in peace
and with the fixed purpose of its
political opponent to have member
of an inferior race dispense federal
patronage and be the dominating and
controlling political power of that
party in Georgia, there never was a
time in the history of political par
ties when it so behooved our people
to be loyal to the Democratic party
as it is in this year of 1920. If the
conduct and record of Democracy
are to be criticized, let the criticism
come from it's enemies, while its
friends make one united effort for
the success of Democratic candidates
and the triumph of Democratic prin-
ciples.
''In aspiring to the governorship,
| do so not for vindication, nor to
use it as a stepping stone to other
honors, nor to reward personal or
political friends, but to serve the
state and the people of Georgia.
During the eighteen years | have
been a member of the general as
sembly and the eight years l have
presided over the house of represen-
tatives has given me a familiarity
with the states affairs, its needs and
its people, which would aid me IN
giving to the commonwealth an etfi-
cient business administration.
"Too Many Laws.
81 believe in the doctrine Of Thom-
as jefferson, that t5e best governed
people are the least governed.
people. Therefore | do not believe
that conditions now require the pas
sage of many more laws. In fact,
we already have too many laws. Some
of them should be repealed, while
others should be amended and simpli-
fed.
Auditor and Budget System.
''While | am opposed to the crea-
ton of new Offices and believe that
some of those already in existence
could be abolished without detriment
to the interests of the state, favor
the creation of the office of state
auditor, who would carefully audit
the expenditures of the different de-
partments of the state and its instl-
tutions, and in cooperation with the
Budget and Efficiency Commission,
prevent overlapping of departments
and institutions causing unnecessary
expenditures undoubtedly existing
under our present system.
Economy.
81 believe firmly in the Democratic
principle that all taxation should be
limited to the expense of govern
ment economically administered;
that the expenditures of the state
should be governed by its revenues
and should not exceed them. If l
am elected governor l shall be guild
ed by this principle in my administra-
ton of the business of the state.
Taxation.
81 favor an impartial and just en-
forcement of all laws in reference
to taxation, to the end that all the
property in this state shall bear its
lust and equal burden. Experience
has demonstrated that the present
system of taxation is inadequate to
meet demands and conditions. Such
changes should be made in the laws
as are necessary to provide system
that will adequately meet the states
necessary demands and accomplish
the results indicated.
Executive Clemency.
81 believe that all applications for
clemency should be parsed upon
promptly. 1t shall be my policy to
hear arguments only in cases of con-
viction on felony charges, after they
have been passed upon by the state
prison commission, and in all mis-
demeanor cases where the recon-
mendation of the prison commission
is endorsed upon the application,
that shall control. 1t is my firm con-
yiction that no application for Glenn
encv should be allowed to remain on
the docket without action for long
er period than SO days after the date
of filing.
81 would be absolutely fair to la
bor and capital. l point with pride to
nv record for fairness to both and
in giving every person and every
legitimate interest square deal.
Claw Enforcement.
"My earnest and active co-opera-
ton would be given to all officers
charged with the enforcement of the
law. If our government is to live as
a Democracy our laws must be en-
forced and remain supreme.
"Good Roads.
81 believe that good roads are
essential to the welfare and material
development of our great state. I
favor the development of highways
with adequate provision for the
equitable distribution of state and
national funds among the various
counties, SO that all the people may