The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-05-27
EULOGIES FOR FORMER
 GOV. GEORGE E. LILIEY
Both Houses of General Assembly in Joint Convention Today Honor Memory of Late Executive With Fit ting Testimonials of Love, Respect and Esteem

ISIS that a Governor had died in cf- flee in Connecticut and probably the hrst joint convention for this purpose in the states history. He referred to the mighty mystery of birth and death into and from this world and how much greater was the mystery in the case of a. man so eminent among his fellows and how greatly intensified by the tragedy which surrounded the end of his life. He briefly sketched Cover nor Lilley's life and went on to say among. other things:
 Never in his life had Governor Lil- ley been defeated and after he had at- taiped the high honors that were his. through struggle of which we are all aware and all the bright vistas of future years approached, there came suddenly and very sadly the tragedy and mystery of his end. Do good men who have worked faithfully and gen. erously in their day and generation pass away and vanish forever?" ques- tioned the Senator. '.No, they are the beacon lights whose illumination shines down to ages. Even if they have pass ed from mortal view, they have wrought we'll and will not be forgotten and we may believe that though Governor Lilley'S work is ended here, the good that he has done will be a precious heritage to his family and to us all.''
 Senator SearlS recalled the scenes at the open grave when the late Cover nor's friends followed him to his last resting place and concluded with the following:
 "And yet, leaving him there with the rays of the setting sun spreading a halo over the scene, we believe that he still lives and his record abides to h cherished for all the years. Peace to his ashes; honor to his memory; rest to his soul.'
 Representative Knight of Salisbury who was for long time a very inti- mate friend of the late Governor, fol- lowed Senator SearlS. t"The friends of Governor Lilley," said Doctor Knight found him scrupulously honest, di- rect, courteous, singularly free from suspicion of men or motives, slow in malice. Even the scorching fire of the contest for the Governorship left him without any desire for revenge on hiS political enemies. A keen sense of justice and a remarkable quantity of plain common sense were his dis tinguished traits. Added to these were clear insight, boUndless energy, un- tiring industry and a genius for friend ship. The price which he paid for the opportunity for leadership fills and must continue to fill both his friends and his opponents with unspeakable regret
 Dr. Knight went on to deplore condi- tions which have arisen in the politi- cal warfare in this state and concluded as follows:
 When we turned sorrowfully away from the last resting place of Cover nor Lilley after days of the most sin cere and impressive tributes ever paid to any Governor by any state, we all felt that no further words could be added to those SC eloCuently spoken. One remaining service, however, we may as a, body rightfully take upon ourselves ' We have it in our power to strike a concerted and, therefore an effective blow for clean politics and upright methods from this day forth. f1l lxa 6n sibility of his own section upon him self, and then, MT. President remember that this General Assembly will not only have helped to bring victory out of calamity. but will have erected the best and most enduring monument within their power to the memory of Governor George L. Lilley.''
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