The Durant news. (Durant, Miss.) 1882-1985, 1939-07-06

fellow citizens for the privilege of
serving them as their governor dur
ing the worst period In our history
since reconstruction days. 1t is con-
ceded Mississippi made fine progress
during the Conner administration, de.
spite the unprecedented handicaps
under which we labored. Through
the years i struggled to becorfe gov
ernor, I dreamed of the great con-
structive service my administration
would render the people. When
came into the office finally, / found
the state government bankrupted, it's
affairs in chaos, and our people sl-
most in despair.
I'VE had to clear away the wreck
age before we could begin to build.
We removed the debris and laid the
foundations and began the structure,
life of a state. Governor White and
but four years Is short time in the
his administration have continued TO
build
Basis For Candidacy
1T would be easy for me to offer
you a Platform of Promises for
your votes. Instead, I prefer to
stand on my Record of Accomplish
ments." The words and deeds of an
official are more dependable than
the promises of a candidate trying
to get votes. 1t il just and proper
to Judge me by what dit and tried
to do as governor.
"Inequitable or excessive taxes con
fiscate property, prevent development.
destroy business, create unemploy-
ment, and render the people unhappy.
Governmental services and eNpendi-
lures must be adjusted to the peo-
pies circumstances and their ability
to pay. Mo government should be
operated on a scale high above the
plane of living of its citizens. Inev-
table disaster to all will follow such
a course.
The people of Mississippi are not
wealthy. We must get value receiv-
ed for the money we spend.
IF you will elect me governor and
elect legislature who will cooperate.
will give you anything you are
willing to pay for. What is more,
will do all in my power to see
that you get what you pay for. None
of these candidates will give you
anything you don't pay for. In fact,
the people are lucky when they get
what they do pay for.
WE took a bankrupt state in 1882
and placed its credit at the highest
point It had ever attained. Our credit
has continued to improve under the
White administration. l want to see
1t jealousy guarded and protected,
and the record proves I know how
to do IL.
We set UP an adequate revenue
system and nonpolitical administra-
ton Of the State Tax Commission,
which has been continued without
change.
Homestead Exemption Act, Assistance
For Aged and Incapacitated
Il am the first governor Of Missis-
sippi to recommend the exemption
of homes from taxation and state
aid for the old folks, the blind, and
others unable to work. The Conner
administration with the first to enact
laws for partial tax exemption of
homesteads and for old age assis-
lance. The White administration has
extended and enlarged these policies.
when I became governor the state,
with current deficit above $12,OO0,O00
with only $1s32627 in the general
fund of the state treasury, state war
rants uncashable, state bonds selling
at rs cents on the dollar, was being
denied credit on food and clothins
for the inmates of the asylum, etc.
No one dreamed that in three short
years, the state, through sound adj
ministration, would be able to inaug-
urate old age benefits and home
tax exemption.
favor decent benefits for ou
aged, blind, and other incapacitated
people. In my official messages to
the legislature 1 opposed the pau
per's oath requirement. While gov.
ernor 1 secured SAL, 16S, 1852 from
the government for the relief of the
aged and other unemployables and
unfortunate people II Mississippi.
Our public schools should be sun
ported by the safe, thus equitaby
distributing school costs and equally
distributing school opportunities.
submitted a plan to the legislature
will continue my efforts along this
line, If elected. 1t is sound for the
state TO furnish school books as
well as other equipment. A retire.
ment fund for teachers would improve
their morale and encourage capable
persons to remain in school work.
increased appropriations TO.
schools, better salaries for teachers.
free" school books, and retirement.
pensions all mean increased public
expenditures, and must depend upon
the economical, business-like admin
istration of state affairs, and the
ability of The state to rrovide the
funds without abandoning other neces-