Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-06-06
IS LILLEY LOSING :?
Two New Haven Papers Say if He Has Anything 10 Say Now
 is ihe Time For It

In the New Haven JournalCour- fer to-day appears the following edi- torial on the Lilley-Boutell contro- versy:
 The more chapters there are add ed to the Lilley investigation, in the way of irrelevant statements and counter charges of bad faith, the more unpleasant becomes the im- pression of the whole proceeding from first to last, if the last may be said to have been reached. Con- gressman Boutell, the chairman of the investigating committee, in an interview based upon MT Lilley's statement, shows himself to be still laboring under the excitement of his disappointment at MT Lilley's fall ure to make good, and to be ready, if it is so desired, to continue the controversy indefinitely, an outcome not to be encouraged by the real friends of the congressman from this state.
 After all has been said and done that ought, in the common run or things, to be said and done, the con- troversy must narrow itself down to the question, whether MT Lilley was Justified in making the serious charges he made, on the one nand' and whether, on the other hand, the committee of inquiry treated him with proper courtesy and considera- fnnr9nf 1n- sists, in a manner to compel us more than ever to doubt it's knowl- edge of the facts, that 'Messrs Bou- tell, Stevens, Olmstead, Howard and Broussard did not treat their fel- low congressman fairly, or justly, or decently. very strong language to use without the greatest provoca- tion. It has been the position or the Journal Courier that until the report of the Investigating commit tee. which, while unnecessarily VIC ions in tone, is of a character to make neglect of it impossible, is an- swered, it's conclusions should no. be disposed of lightly They neeu not be accepted, but they cannot pc ignored if the actual truth is to De established. Thus far MT Lilley has declined to, comment upon the re- mort and has been content to deny that he was moved by improper mo- lives in forcing the investigation, point which has not been raised Ill connection with a local consloeralion of the case.
 To return again to our position MT yilley must meet the allegations or the committee, which are enveloped in testimony which, on the race ol things, impresses one as having tend ed to give him every chance Tn the world to prove his case, If ne had the facts in his possession, or Knew now to elicit the facts necessary to the conviction of the alleged offending boat company. We agree with the Hartford Courant that the personal character and standing of the mem- bers of the Investigating committee have nothing to do with their work, but by the same token the personal character and standing of MT Lilley should not be invoked to prejudice a just and rational understanding of his part in the unfortunate transac- tion. So far as the personal charac- ter and standing of the men con cerned, who are involved in the case, in their own communities, 1t is stand-off In ths meantime MT Lil- ley is an avowed candidate for the nomination of governor of the state of Connecticut and has the support of the republican organization. We merely undertake to say, and to say 1t in no spirit of unfrlendliness to MT Lilley. or in behalf of any other candidate. that the people of the state have a right to know and NIT Lilley ought to want them to know wherein the severe report of the com mittee is lacking either in the truth, or in its fair treatment of him. A candidate for governor of Connecti- cut ought not to occupy I nerveless position in this connection and allow the loyalty of political friends to make assertions in violent conflict with a report which ought to be sus- ceptible of answer Mir Lillcy should meet the accusations with proof of his original charges.
 The Palladium. after reciting Bon- tells attack on Lilley, has the fol- lowing to say:
 "This is a bitter attack from Bou- tell. Worse, could no maa say. It must reveal to Mir Lilley q feature of American political life N hich he had not probably counted upon when he sought the investigation of the submarines. But he knows now. and so do we all.
 "If Mir Lilley has a good shot left in his locker, the matter having gone thus far. it would be timely to fire it-let the splinters fall where they may"
 Not Known in Pennington.