The Lexington progress. (Lexington, Tenn.) 1884-current, 1922-10-06
NUMBER I2
HON. AUSTIN PEAY
OPENS CAMPAIGN.


Hon. Austin Peay, of Clarksville,
Democratic candidate for Governor
and man of business to whose ca
reer all Democrats can justly point
with pride" opened his campaign for
election in November, at Murfrees-
boro last Saturday.
In this speech, as in his address be-
fore the primary, Mr.. Peay spoke
right out on issues involved in a way
that no man, Democrat or Republican,
can question his position.
In his primary race Mr.. Peay de-
fled the back tax machine and he still
does SO.
That those who heard him might
make no mistake and that his posi-
tion might be scattered abroad over
the state, Mr.. Peay said:
81 say at the outset that my
pledges to the people in the primary
constrain my conscience, and none
should vote for me in the coming cleo
tion with different or other under
standing. All that was said was de-
liberately considered, and my nomi-
nation was based upon good faith.
This l say, because defeat, if it re-
suits, is preferable to dishonor."
Mr.. Peay's courage in so speaking
reminds us Of the report that a cer-
tain appointment before the primary
he stated to the people that If they
were going to vote for certain men
for the legislature, he did not want
4hor, tn xnfa IN YnY,a;nata h,x.o Co..
no governor can do the State good
with bad legislature tearing down
what he attempts to do.
When Mr.. Peay reached the vital
subject of taxation he said
"A tax commissino to be of real
service and to justify its existence,
must be composed of experts and
must direct its attention to the as
sessment of property which local as
SCISSORS cannot reach. The politicians
composing the present department
would hardly claim for themselves
these requirements. Therefore, / fa-
vor the thorough reorganization of
this department"
And then he concludes:
Land assessments under the whip
and spur of this department were
raised beyond all reason, and with the
result that uniformity is now lacking.
at the top, as it was formerly lacking
at the bottom, in these assessments.
Resides, there is an eyidept ten,
Idency rtoAxard -dictat0nshi aalraske.1
Eracy in this department, which IS ex.
ceedingly offensive to the people. /
naturally observed its movements in
the recent primary. All connected
with it practically abandoned them
selves to politics and were exceeding
ly active and tireless toward nv de-
feat. As individuals, they were ex-
ercising rights which cannot be cues
toned but as officials, they were
TINE AND AGENCIES WHICH BE
LONGED TO THE STATE. Nothing
to my mind can be more hurtful than
political tax machine and the
PROOF is UNMISTAKABLE THAT
OUR PRESENT DEPARTMENT is
OF THAT CHARACTER. Hence,
strictly adhere to all that | said in the
primary in reference to this depart
ment, and no threat of opposition and
no lure OF support can drive me from
my position. When speak of politi-
clans composing this department, |
refer to those in active charge and not
to members of the commission whose
duties are revisory, and who have no
active part in its management"
Mr.. Peay does not come before the
people as one of the good fellows"
with which Tennessee has been ours
ed, nor does he pose as "big-heart-
ed" man who can be swayed by senti-
ment from the line of duty, but he is
known to be an active efficient man
OF business who has the mind to grasp
public affairs and work out way to
better them.
With a good legislature to back
nm, Austin Peay will make one Of
the best governors Tennessee ever
had-and while we have no doubt of
ms election, Democrats had better be
on their guard and to their full duty.