Jackson County sentinel. (Gainesboro, Tenn.) 1914-current, 1922-10-12
Peay,s .Kaynotc 1got,.. Is Strong
Plea for Economy and Lower Taxes
Democratic Nominee Is Accorded Great
Reception at Murireesboro When
He Opens His Campaign.
BY 7. n ALEXANDER


cred at MurfTeesboro in formally open.
ing the campaign for governor of Ten,
nessee, has caused 4 wave of Peay
sentiment which the Democrats claim
will develop into landslide il No
vember
Thousands of letters from the rank
and file of the Democratic party and
hundreds from Rep lblicans today are
literally deluging Jos. w, Byrns of
Nashville, chairman of the Dem cratic
state committee. they are endorse
ments Of the strong stand of the Dem
o2ratic nominee on lower taxes and
economy in the state government and
requests fer COMES of the speech which
Democrats JUL artly declare ranks
with the greatest clmpaisa pronounce
ments of Isham G Harris, Andrew
Jackson and the great Tennessee
statesmen Of the past.
In his opening speech Mr.. Peay is
delivering today in East Tennessee,
the candidate for sovern0rship reaf-
firmed his pledge to save at least ST.
100000 to the taxpayers of the state,
and stated his views boldly and une-
quivocally on the reorganization of the
state highway department and the
state tax department. The speaker re-
stated his views on many important
questions, among them being the eight
per cent interest law, which he op-
poses the repeal OF the sliding scale
as method of fixing the tax rate;
economy in state government; com
plete adjustment of the back tax sys-
tom and his promise to sign no bond
issue bill which does not specifically
provide that the bonds must be first
approved by a vote of the people.
NJ. Peay was heard at his opening
speech by a large and enthusiastic
crowd Jesse c. Beesley, state man.
ager in the primary of one of Mr.,
Peay's opponents, presided.
Taxation the Big Issue.
While Mr.. Peay's speech covered
completely every is ne of he cam
paign, the nominee made taxation and
economy in state government the para
mount issues OF the campaign,
The land tax in Tennessee has in
creased more than seven million dol
lars in the last four years" declared
Mr.. Peay land most OF this amount
has fallen on the farmers. My home is
alrong the farmers, and | know their
burdens and the injustice OF the pres
snt taxes"
The speaker called attention to the
fact that the merchant and the manu-
facurer can compute their tax and pass
the charge on 10 the consumer, but the
f aer cannot. Therefore | say that
TIE land tax must be reduced, and that
il the urgent problem of the hour"
said Mr. Peay.
And The remedy, he said, is first the
repeal of the sliding scale. Then rate
of taxation must be fixed which, when
al p.ea to known assessments, will re-
idce the land tax.
when the sliding scale is repealed"
said Mr. Peay, Il shall promptly rec.
oamend to the legislature the rates to
be levied for all special and general
purposes OF the state exactly as
promised the people, to the end that
tie land tax shall be reduced in the
anonnt promised. and more If posi-
bic
Mr.. peay said that one may theorize
"to his hearts content" but If taxes
are ever reduced this simple and prac.
tical pan must be pursued
How Expenses VII, Be Cut.
So nc state MAJ operate On its re-
dGcod income and also absorb the an.
nually recurring deficit, Mr. Peay
Iro& sed that his administration
would Immediately eliminate useless
state Offices He maintained that more
tat a million dollars can be thus
s,ved without impa,r'ng the efficiency
O; tic state government at all
Mr.. Peay tod the cheering audience
,hat ne know he would meet with fiery
OPPOSITION in this course, but he pre-
fer.ed that his policy I've known so
that none may be taken unawares.
Discussing the state offce-holders,
Mr. Peay said that he had no bitter
ness in his heart because so many Of
them opposed him in the primary.
They we're diligently exercising" q
right to oppose him, he said, but he
asked that they respect their primary
obligation to support the nominee.
"and that they do not stand in the
way OF promise to the people
Each of them who does not render
an indispensable service to the pub
lie should promptly arrange for other
employment in the event that | am
elected in November" said Mr.. Peay.
(Auplause.)
Reorganization Of Tax Department.
Mr.. Peay vigorously reaffirmed his
view that the state tax department. as
new constituted. should be thoroughly
REQ. ganized. The speaker said he has
cafefully observed the workings Of the
tax department, without any animus
to condemn II.
Land assessments under the whip
and spur OF this department have been
raised beyond all raason.' said Mr..
Peay. The operation has.only shifted
the tax burden TO real estate. This de-
partment has shown no. ingenuity or
Initiative in the ass assment OF those
classes OF intricate property with
which local assessors are unfamiliar.
Mr.. Peay declared that there is an
evident tende1c~ toward dictatorship
and autocracy In this department,
which IS exceedingly offensive to the
people" and fhcf me proof is unmis-
taxable that his is a political tax de-
partment. He made il clear that he re-
ferred 10 those in active charge Of the