The Covington leader. (Covington, Tenn.) 18??-current, 1920-10-28
GOV. PATTERSON
ENTERS CAMPAIGN
URGES ELECTION or ENTIRE
DEMOCRATIC TICKET
Chief Executive Due Second Term
Says League Of Nations Should
Have Distinct Reservations.

Ex-Gov. Malcolm r. Patterson has
entered the present political campaign
in behalf of the Democratic ticket,
state and national writing letter to
j. N. Fisher, chairman Of the Demo
cratic state executive committee
made public Tuesday iii which the
former chief executive of Tennessee
declares that Gov. Roberts should be
returned for a second term, says the
Nashville Banner of October 26. He
defends the Roberts tax laws as
wise and believes they viii work out
beneficially in time. despite what de-
fects may be apparent at first
Gov. Patterson declared that 1t
would be better for the state that d
Democratic governor be elected than
a Republican He said that Repub-
lican governor with Republican adj
visers would not work in harmony
with a Democratic legislature and
that therefore there could be nothing
but discord in Tennessee should d
Republican governor be chosen.
In the matter Of the national cleo
ton he favored Gov. Cox's election,
saying that he believed Cox favored
the league of nations with reserva-
tions. which Gov. Patterson said
should be made condition prece-
dent before this country shall be
bound In controversies and difficult
ties from which it may not be able
to extricate itself.
Gov. Patterson's letter follows in
part:
Hon. ]. N. Fisher, Chairman
State Executive COMMITTEES NY
Dear Sir: u have been so situated
that it has not been possible for me
to take an active speaking part in
the present campaign. AIT the same
time | very earnestly hope that all
the Democratic candidates, both
national and state, will be successful
Especially do | urge the Importance
Of electing Gov. Roberts to second
term, and for the following reasons:
"First-He is the regular nominee,
having won his nomination fairly,
and his title is unquestioned. there
fore he should have the support Of
all Democrats in the election. To
participate In the primary and not
support the nominee when there is
no charge Of fraud. Is not fair play.
Second Gov. Roberts is entitled
to second term on his record as
governor. for he has unquestionably
carried out the platform pledges OF
his party and has strictly regarded
his party obligations. | shall not
enter into any discussion of the tax
measure, about which many Demo-
crast have differed, except to say
that Gov. Roberts made his first
campaign for the nomination upon
tax reform as the chief issue; the
idea was embodied in the platform;
it was enacted into law by the legis-
lature, and Gov. Roberts again went
before the people upon his record
and was nominated by a large ma
jority in contest where the ques-
ton was fully presented. There may
be defects in the law; it may not
works smoothly and without friction
at first; some may feel they are pay
ing too much in the way Of. taxes,
but iii is difficult at best to devise a
system of taxation without some in.
equalities, and all must admit that
Tennessee was sadly in need of tax
revision. In my opinion like other
innovations. the law will at first be-
criticised. afterwards accepted. and
then recognized as wise and just
measure, for it forms the basis Of a.
sound system Of taxation, and a Demo-
ocratic legislature may be relied
upon to cure any defects which may
exist.
aThird--Gov. Roberts should be-
elected because it is better for the
state and the interests Of the people
that Democrat and not a Republi-
can should be governor of Tennessee.
Mr.. Taylor, the Republican nominee,
is an affable, genial gentleman,
whom to know is to like; but If cleo
ted he would still be a Republican
and would necessarily surround him-
self with Republican advisers and
sympatrizers.
Tennessee has recently had an ex-
perience In electing a Republican
governor. at time when the Demo-
cratic party was divided, and there
should be no desire upon the part of
Democrats to renew an unfortunate
experiment. In addition, d Repub-
lican governor and Democratic
legislature, such as we will have,
would not and could not in the ma
ture Of things work tremendously,
and there is no reason to put the In
terests of the state in this sort Of
nredicament, for out Of it no pro-
gress would probably come and there
would be many chances for discord
and confusion. The Democratic
marty has written many wise laws in
the statutes of Tennessee, and some
foolish ones, but on the whole it is
the only party that can safely be
trusted to administer the affairs Of
the state,
II shall. Of course, vote for Gov.
Cox as the nominee of the party, |
though along with some other Demo- |
Gratis / do not accept the league Of |
nations without such clear and dis
tinct reservations that there can be
no misunderstanding, either at
home or abroad, Of the duties ana
obligations Of our own country as |
member. These must be made as q /
condition precedent, and The time
to do Il Is before our country may be /
bound ii controversies and difficult /
ties from which It may not b able /
% extr1eate itself ard I believe err /