The Washington times., 1908-10-18
ROOSEVELT RUSHES
TO AID Of LILLEY
Issues Statement Stating At
titude Toward Connecti-
cut Representative.

As a result of a peculiar combination
of circumstances, President Roosevelt
yesterday found It expedient to prac-
tically take up the cause of Representa-
tive George l.. Lilley, the Republican
gubeTnatOrial candidate in Connecticut.
and issue a statement which is calcu-
lated 10 put to rOut the enemies of the
man who stirred Congress last winter
by charging that legislation for subma-
rine boats was brought about by i'm
proper methods.
The Presidents attitude was clearly
set forth in a statement which was is
sued shortly after three of the most
prominent Republican leaders in Con-
necticut called at the White House to
enter vigorous protest against the treat
ment to which Mr.. Lilley has been re-
Gently subjected. These callers, in addt-
ton to being party leaders in their own
State are personal friends of the Re
publican candidate, and they came TO
Washington determined that they
would dispose of any intimatiOn that
President Roosevelt was opposed 10
either Mr.. Idlley personally or to his
candidacy. They succeeded, and when
they left the White House they carried
with them a statement which said, in
effect, that far from being displeased
with Mr.. Lilley's action in making pub
lie the Presidents letter to him, he was
exceedingly glad that it was made
public"
Presidents Statement.
The Presidents statement is as fol-
lows:
The President has not interfered as
regards the election of particular candi-
dates for office. but the President at
any time holds himself at liberty 10
state the facts as to what he said or
did in connection with any mans acts
as to which the President has full cog
nizance. When Mr.. Lilley made his
! speech. attacking and exposing certain
( influences which had worked in Gonnec-
| ton with securing appropriations for
certain navy yards and for certain
! types Of submarine boats the President
] read the speech and expressed to Mr..
/ Lilley in the presence Of two of his con-
stituents his hearty approval OF the
| speech in the following language:
e Mr. Lilley, L have read and heartily
/ approve Of your speech. You have told
! a number Of needed truths, and / thank
/ you for telling them. 1 wish you sue
/ cess in your career. sir
The President authorized Mr. LiIley
! or any Of his constituents who were
present, 70 make public what the Presi-
/ dent had said, and he IS exceedingly
( glad that II was made public"
/ This statement is the sequel to a let
/ ter written by Secretary Loeb TO n. A.
/ Tanner, Of New Haven. Conn, in which
I it was declared that Mr.. LilIey asked
/ the President to confirm IN writing. a
F-.-, L. M
I also pointed out that the President had
no intention Of interfering in a State
I election.
Started the Trouble.
It was this letter OF the Presidents
] private secretary which kicked uD such
a tremendous mUss in Connecticut that
the party leaders came to Washington
] post haste. Mr.. Liley's political enemies
lost nC time in making capital of the
Loeb letter. declaring that he had
abused the confidence OF the President.
These enemies regarded the letter writ
! ing episode as the climax which. II was
/ hoped, would bring about the defeat Of
( Liney.
/ Michael Kenealey, chairman of the
/ Republican State central committee OF
! Connecticut; Isaac UIIman. one OF the
I b1ANS itdNSASr ana EOSdE Young. editor
! Of the Bridgeport Post, and a fourth
man who succeeded in concealIng his
identity, constituted the delegation
which called on the President. They
J pointed out that Mr. LCeb's letter was
] looked on in Connecticut as repu5ia-
! tion Of Nj LiIley; that II was inIuriHg
I the state campaign and would undOubt-
! edly cost Judge Taft many votes
| The President one Of the visitors said
yesterday afternoon. expressed himself
freely regarding every phase OF the sit
uatiOn and assured them that there was
not the slightest intention to place a
Republican candidate for governor I'm
an embarrassing light before the voters
Of his state lie theTsupOn decided to
issue statement Whicn would rob Mr.
LLley's enemies of all their ammunition
so far as the White House end of the
complicated situation was concerned
Incidentally II can now be stated au-
thoratatIvely that the Administration is
anxious fOr the success Of Lilley at the
polls It is willing TO do everything
it can to aid him in his campaign. and
Mr.. Lilley's friends have been given to
understand that there is no intention
OF jeOpardizing his election.