The Lexington progress. (Lexington, Tenn.) 1884-current, 1922-10-06

Governor lAyioE epoho 90 AoA""0'
Among the wise and most assur-
ing features of representative gov
eminent is that there is judgment
day in the life of all public officials.
Chosen representatives Of the public,
armed and clothed with power, may,
for a time, misuse and abuse it, but
there Is day that is certain when an
accounting must be made to the source
of all such power. Isolated examples
may be found where honest and loyal
public servants have been unjustly
repudiated, but it 10 an exception to
the rule when generous public fails
to recognize the record OF one that
has fought good fight and kept the
faith.
Two years ago ! went before the
people Of Tennessee as a candidate
for the high office Of Governor. In
that campaign, from one end OF the
State to the other, ! advocated GER
tain defined policies and made GER
tain promises as to what would en-
deayor to do if elected to that Of
Ace. In consequence Of the advo-
cacy Of such policies and the prom
ises made In connection with them
I was elevated to the great position
of Governor of Tennessee. My mis-
sion here today is to report to you
concerning what l have done in obe-
dience to your registered wishes; and
II You find that / have lived true to
the conditions expressed in your
former verdict, ! seek q vindication
at your hands.
On January Is, 1921, in my in
augural address to the Legislature,
l summarized, in the following Ian
guage, the questions which had been
at issue:
"The rural school problem, the
highway problem, the problem OF
economic government, and the prob
lem of taxation. These four ought
not to escape your earnest attention.
and the wise and correct solution OF
them calls for breadth and SYM
pathy of vision, sincerity OF purpose,
and an ability that characterizes true
craftsmanship.
Schools q Potent Agency.
"There can be no material, social
or political progress without educa-
ton. The highest exercise of power
Is that which fashions the intellect,
unfolds the vision and moulds the
ideals of the children of our coun-
try. Without the moral and inteliec-
tual training Of the masses, we rest
upon quicksands as illustrated and
exemplifed by the sinking and sub
mergence of the huge Russian nation
al fabric at this moment. Christian
education is not only the bedrock OF
civilization, but it is the hope Of the
world. The schoolhouses Of our
State and the forces in charge OF
them constitute the manufacturing
plants of enlightened citizenship.
There is no evil, whether moral, in
dustrial or political, with which we
have to contend that cannot be Grad
icated by the application Of Chris
tan intelligence. The most potent
agency for the propagation, mainte,
nance, spread and preservation Of
such Christian intelligence Is the
school.
at is a matter of common knowl
edge that our rural schools have beer
greatly neglected. The child living
in the country, in the matter of edu
cational advantages, does not hav'
an equal chance with the child wht
lives in the city. The reorganization
and regeneration of our rural schoo
system on a more efficient basis i
absolutely imperative.
Public Highways.
"Closely related to the question O
rural schools is the question Of pub
lie highways. Indeed, the establish
ment of q network Of highways i
essential to the successful settlement
of the question Of rural education
A schoolhouse, though adequatel!
equipped with teachers and supple
for teaching, will always be an un
realized dream without road lead
ing to it. Ways and means of cas-.
transportation are the most efectiv
cure for the discomfort that come
TO the boys and girls Of the rura
districts a. the result Of enforced
isolation. The barrier that exists be
tvean Tia town and ths eountYy san