Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-07-13
LlLLEY SURE OF PLACE
Dul" JrumbulI Says He Is Weak Candidate and May Je0par.
 dize State Ticket.
(Trumbull in Sunday Herald.)

So far as the state outlook is con- cerned there are large possibilities, though things may go right on as they are prepared to go without change. Congressman Lilley Is ab- solutely confident of being nominated by the republicans for governor. He said to me the other day that he held the situation in the hollow of his hand, and could afford to be generous to those who, like myself, do not be- lieve he is the temperament to be trusted in the executive chamber. It is true So far as I can judge. that if the state republican convention were to be assembled tomorrow he would obtain the nomination in spite of ev- erything. It is still possible that by November party needs may force an- other programme, namely, the re- nomination of the state officers now in power. This change of programme will be forced upon the party leaders If anything should occur between now and the time set for holding the nominating convention to scare the leaders, as they were undoubtedly scared in 1896.
 From my own point of view, which is possibly important only in so far as later human experiences bears out the judgment upon which 1t rests, the nomination of MT Lilley is the weak est that could possibly be made at this time. Nor is there anything personal about the view. It is based upon a more or less careful inquiry not among the practical politicians, whom he has already corralled, but among the people as one meets them In the various currents of life. In his own town there are any number of business men who seriously ques- tion the propriety of giving him the nomination. If he enters the state convention with the entire state dele gation of New Haven county behind him 1t will disclose, as nothing else has ever disclosed, the immense pow CT of the machine. If his ambition was left to a popular test which would be afforded under the di- rect primary form of selection, he would be cut to death. In no sense of the word is he popular candidate for the office and if he had not been shrewd enough a year ago to commit the leaders in the various towns of the state he would not to-day be heard of as candidate for the high est office within the gift of the peo- pie of Connecticut.
 There are reasons for this popular attitude of mind, at least as find it. The most impressive reason is the al most complete absence of any reason why he should at this time be elevat- ed to the highest office in the state. His public service has not been of a character to logically impress his abilities upon the people. Previous to his entrance into politics he had de- voted his entire life to successful business pursuits. He went directly from them to the house of repre- sentatives at Hartford and thence to congress. In neither place has he shown the rare qualities of head which make one man more conspicu- ous than another in connection with the consideration of executive hon. ors. In other words, there are a score and more of men in the state who have done quite as much as he has done to warrant high ambition, who cannot get look in with the organf- zation. His name is not connected with single issue which appeals to the imaginaton of the people unless his desire to be governor and possibly United States senator may be consid- cred an issue.
 Unquestionably Mir Lilley's unfor- tunate experience at Washington in the absurd congressional submarine inquiry provoked a widespread dis trust of his judgment. When the time came for him to redeem the promises he freely made to his per- sonal friends to completely expose the rottenness of the submarine legisla- tion he failed miserably to make good. A generous state press has im- pulsively declared that he was not given a fair show, that he was bot tied up from the start, that he de- serves on that account the encour- agement of popular election to an- other office. The voluminous report, which takes up two large volumes. Iiails to show wherein he was denied every opportunity to make good with his charges. He had no right to ex- pect to be made chairman of the in- vestigating committee under the cir cumstances, and, while he was fool ishly denied the protection of Mir Judson and MT Brown, he was able to enjoy from start to finish the ample protection and guidance of the able counsel employed by the Lake Sub marine company.
 The truth is that Mir Lilley in his crusade against the indicted boat company took twenty to one shot and lost. His winnings would have beeen enormous had he succeeded. but what he hoped and prayed for did not mateFialize and he was obliged to re- tire in complete defeat. The report of the committee was unjustly vicious in its tone and not at all creditable to the man who wrote and composed 1t, but even so, that scarcely sets up a convincing reason why the nomina- 1 ton for governor should go to him instead of to Governor Woodruff. who has made gallant fight for popular rights. or instead of Lieutenant Gov :. er1or Lake. who has filled the various 1 political posts which have been sup posed to lead up 10 final honors. In | the absence Of real reasons why Mir Lilley should be advanced and in the | presence of real reasons why others Hnanrrn thn hnnnr rnrrr nn.hE-n