The morning journal-courier., 1908-08-21
LrLLnys WASHINGTON RECORD.

In order that the Journal-Courier might meet in tho most effective man ner the charge that 1t has been aetu- ated by partial and personal motives in analysing Congressman Lilley's submarine boat enterprise it askel Richard Hooker, the Washington cor respondent of the Springfield Repub- lican, to review it without reference to the attitude of this newspaper Mir. Hooker is regarded among the news. paper workers of the capital city as one of the most impartial and con serNative correspondents there. We were also moved In our selection of him by the fact that he is native of Connecticut and a graduate of Yale college, and that in consequence If partial at all he would naturally be partial to Mir. Lllley from reasons of state pride,
 Mir. Rockers letter will be found elsewhere In this issue of The Journal Courier and cannot help but make a profound impression, not only on ac- count of the quietness of its tone but on account of It's judicial spirit. A, the outset convinced, as We were our selves, that Mir. Lilley was in posses sion of the necessary evidence, hug ging the theory that 1t was inconceiv- able that he should have undertaken so striking task without all the needed testimony, Mir Hooker was borne irresistlbly against his will to the opposite conclusion. that he had made terrific error of judgment. Even now MT. Hooker dissents from the vicious language of the commit tee, though recognizing the provoca- ton, and crItlclses congress for acting without due dellberation. He be- lieves that every need would have been gratifed had the committee of investigation reported in simple lan- guage and the report had been left lying perhaps indefinitely upon the table of the house of representatives.
 Mir. Hooker grew more and more impressed as the investigation pro- ceeded with Mir. Lilley's glaring err TOTS of Judgment and his disconcert- ing indlscretions. It soon became ev- ident that he was congentally unable to distinguish between hearsay and evidence, which was exactly the con clusion we were forced to upon the examination of the elaborate report. In other words. Mir. Hooker in prob ably more judicial manner supports the contention which we have felt forced to make, that MT. Lilleys con duct in the submarine boat matter Is not qualification for the high office of governor of Connecticut, if clear vision and wise discrimination are held essential. Mir. Hooker also comes to the rescue of MT. Palmer of l New London, whose sole object in ex- amining the official records was to satisfy himself, as a republican, that the arbitrary choice of the republican organization concided with the tenn perament and sense of boise, which he, as republican voter, had been taught to believe are essential in a Connecticut governor.
 As for the claim of MT. Lilley's friends that he was unjustly deprived of the chalrmanship of the committee or membership upon it, Mir. Hooker makes it plain that the attitude orig. nally taken by Mir. Lilley denied hin the right Co act both az prosecutor and judge This is view taken gen
 
 erally by lawyers of ability and dis cernment. But even greater than hi offense against members of the hous, of representatives, was the cruel in jury Mir. Lilley did the cause of goot government MT. Hooker points ou the effect of the failure to prove hi
 case upon future would-be investiga tors, who may have secured the nee essary evidence to convict. By hi rash conduct the congressman iron Waterbury has put burdensom premium upon silence no matter hoy great the demand for exposure. Thi alone should inspire MT. Lilley wit the valiant desire to return to con gress If he feels vindcation du
 him, where another and better con ceived attack upon the vicious an
 corrupt might succeed. II is of tsel sufficient to disclose the impropriet
 of his candidacy for governor, if ther
 were no other reasons.
 It is surprising that the republica machine in Connecticut does not real ize the danger of Mir. Lilley's candI dacy before 1t is too late. It is as founding that 1t should believe tha
 the republicans of the state will SUI port him on any known theory, eve
 that of saving the state for the est :, mable candidate for president. Onl
 the great personal popularity and fl
 ness of Mir Taft and the stupidity (