Norwich bulletin., 1909-04-23

lessen his devotion 70 the office gained CT weake1 him as a public servant. He would have achieved much as governor and il will be hard for the Connecticut people to become reccnciled to his un- timely end. His family loses a de- voted pr1vider. his associates a jolly and loyal comrade. and the state a competent pllot.-New Haven Palla- dium.
 A State and National Loss.
 George L. LilIey had faith in the people, he knew he was right, and that time would so prove.
 But he could not fight against the odds that broken health placed against him and his physical infrmities brought peace to him.
 George Lilleys death is a state and national loss. He was brave, loyal conscientious and possessed those qualities of heart that endeared him to all who had his acquaintance.-New London Globe.
 Room for Repentance.
 And there is room for repentance in the shadow of this sorrow. George L. Lilley will have died in vain if the people of Connecticut do not learn a lesson from their experience of the past year. Before that it now ap- pears, he was a sick man. But his life was cut short by the misunder- standing and unfairness and vindic- tiveness of some of those who opposed him. In this state and out of it he was per5ecuted to the breaking point. His enetniss confessed that they want ed to break him down, and they suc- ceeded. May they enjoy their success. May they also learn a lesson from it. Many of his opponents were wholly fair. Many others of his fellow citi- zens stood by and saw the mischief done without raising a voice for fair play. The lesson is for all of us.- New Haven Register.
 He Had Made Good.
 Men can say what they like about George L. Lilley, but they can't deny that he fought his fight like a gentle man, and took standing up like a brave man and smiling the hardest kind of blows the meanest kind of political warfare can strike. In the state legis- lature, in congress, as governor. he did his own thinking, acted on his own convictions, and paid the usual penalty for his independence. Time has long since viadicated his Legislative career. It was fast vindieating his congress sienal career, and will yet viEdicate it. As governor he had made good, and although in office but short time, he had by his attitude and demeanor completely silenced the most malicious of his erstwhile political foes.-New Haven Union.
 A LoVabIe, Manly Man.
 George L. Lilley was always a prince of good fellows" cheerful of disposi- tion, cordial and sincere in his friend Illness, and constant and loyal in his friendships. He was generous to a fault, and his hospitality was a house. hold word throughout the state. Yet he was man of strong convictions and inhexiOle determination once he had decided upon a course of action, and 1t was these qualities that enabled him to work his way, from an unpre- tentious beginning. over discouraging obstacles and in spite of opposing in fiuences, to the highest elevation of honor in the state. Like all men, he may have made mistakes, but for those his judgment rather than his heart must be held accountable.
 He was an honest, patriotic. lovable, human, manly mln.-Hartford Post.
 A Man of High Public Purpose.
 His sunny temperament, his genial manner, his sweet domestic life and his high public purposes have made him here at home, where everybody knows him, one of the most popular men in the state. How far his politi- cal ambition might have carried him we can only guess; what we know is that it has killed him. The pity of it. Putnam Patriot.