The morning journal-courier., 1908-10-26
Dr George A, Bowen, Ex Mem Der of Legislature and for Six Years Grange Head,
 Gives Views.
SIGNIFICANT LETTER
Long Contribution to Connertlcut Farmer Showing Mir, Lilicy's Untitncss for the Gov
 ernOrship,

of the state. lt has been the aim of the Gilley candidacy to line up the farmer vote solidly for the republican regular candidate and an attack from one of the real leaders of that group of Connecticut citizens forcibly shows Mir Lilley's weak position with the farmer vote The below is from let ter from the pen of Dr George Aus tin Bowen of Woodstock for six years master of the state grange, member of the state house in 1903, of the con- stitutional convention, of q man who has held the highest office in the Ma tional Order of the Patrons of Illus bandry Coming from such a man these sentiments. published in the Connecticut Farmer and circulated among a large constituency of the ru- ral population of the state, are of tle utmost importance. The letter starts thus:
 Editor Connecticut Farmer: You ask me for an article on the political situation in Connecticut, with special reference to the candidacy of Mr. lil- lev IL was my intention not to take any active part in this campaign, and thus far nave been silent, and nave not burdened myself with even the weight Of a campaign button, would prefer silence now but I never shirked my responsibilities as a citizen when they came to me, and will not at this time, for I deem the issues that are before the people of our state 10 be Of the greatest importance, and quite possibly fraught with a future that we may we'll dread I therefore comply with your request. although 1 know that for go doing more bricks than bouquets will be hurled at me
 The questions in the state are not connected with the national issue MT Taft stands well with the people, and believe the majority are in full ac- cord with the principles that he stands for: let Us therefore concede that Connecticuts vote in the elector- al college will he for him, and sincerely believe enough more from other states to overwhelmingly elect him, so we will pass that hv and come at once to the merits of your letter The subject, however, is 90 great l cannot well condense and present it understandingly l want this answer to cover actual political facts, and not merely personal judgment
 There are in the republican ranks many who strongly object to the cleo | tion of Mir. Lilley for three prominent reasons; his record in congress. the machine dietation that placed him in nomination, and the moral effect that l his election would have on the party 1 Political weather vanes throughout the state have for several years past pointed to q stormy quarter; the man asers needed 1t not but the storm has al last broken, and the machine men alone Ire responsible for the division in the party, and for the action If a large body of thinking men who say that they will not support Mir, Lilley by their vote Their decisions are not due to a clamorous press with editors skilled in the use of persuasive Ian. guage, for tho press as q whole are supporters of the machine The out cry comes from men who possess tho love of honor, justice and patriotism that vet exist in the heart of many sons of Connectcut-for which pause
 ong enough to thank Cod.
 Then follows a review of the his. tory of the Lilley investigation iii con gress in which he speaks of Mir. Llley as deliberately blackmailing the characters of upright and innocent men Speaking of the congressional committee that heard the charges Dr Bowen says the personnel consisted ot men of superior attachments and ot the highest character, The hearing;
 in the case were dignihed and mpar. tial, commencing on the 9th o March. 1908, ana ciosng on the 30tl' of April every word of which is pub, lished and before the people. It is the campaign slogan that Mir LilleS should have been appointed the chair. man of this committee How coult he, for before the committee on rules had he not impeached the integrity of his fellow memhers2 Surely ht could not be the judge of his owr ease, the claim Is hra2en and absurd.
 After speaking of the decision ant the way 1t was received everywhere pr, Bowen says; 'I point out enoug
 to show that in Washington anj through the whole country from tho Atlantic to the Pacific. ile Is a thor oughly discredited man, that his wort Is not believed, and that his actions were not sincere towards his country but were in favor of his evIden clients. a rival boat concern, and now We are told to Ro to the polls anC vote to make him the governor O this good state of Connecticut--'Th, Land of Steady Habits.
 The letter then continues to thu close thus:
 There is no one act that will mor' quickly arouse ones spirit of indepen dence than that of presumed author lty of one individual over another, ant offensively asserting it to the latter! detrment Next to this comes tho feeling of disgust for an indiyidua who meekly and humbly bows his heat and obeys his self appointed master showing q mental slavery more revolt ing than the physical bondage tha existed in the south prior to the cIvi war. These two characteristics hay, been the leaders in the present cam paign, an arrogant machine dctatins the policy of a powerful poltca party, its platform, and its candidate this too against the protests Of man, strong minds who have from time tt time and In various ways pointed ou the ruinous effects of such a course