Pioneer press. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1882-19??, 1912-04-27
Formal Announcement of His
i Candidacy For Governor.
STANDS UPON HIS OWN RECORD
His Position Outlined on Some Of the
Most important Questions OF the
Dsy-Party Success in
State First.

&
TO the Republicans Of West Virginia:
am candidate for the nomination
Tor Governor Of West Virginia, subject
ITO the primary to be held June 4th.
1912.
In my tentative announcement some
weeks past, l stated that l would sub
init to the people at a later date a
xomal announcement together witt,
my position on different matters which
interest the whole people, thereby Giv.
Ing to them a better opportunity to
Judge nay fitness for the high position
aOf honor and trust for which | AN
asking them to consider me. I am
glad to submit my claims to the Re,
publcans Of West Virginia, and asl:
them, after due consideration, to rem
der verdict according to their best
Judgment.
Permit me to say that I shall make
my contest Independently Of any fac
tion. but submitting my claims to the
whole party. In case OF my nCmina-
ton. I shall then feel that l am In.
~debted to the party as whole and be
free to act Independently in deciding
matters as we'll as discussing the pO-
liticai conditions which will and do
affect each and every Republican alike
regardless Of his alignment in the
past.
The act Of our forefathers in divid.
Ing our government into three distinct
aor separate branches was wise and
;Shoughtful, and any branch Of the gov
;arnnent which assumes to dictate or
TO control the other, is In absolute
'conf1ict with the states constitution.
1 thoroughly recognize that the duty
or the Chief Executive under our form
Hof government is to carry out tho
mandates Of the people, as express q
.by their repres entatives. True, it is
.one duty Of the Chief Executive to
TecOmmend and earnestly insist upon
proper laws, but it is still more i'm
Lportant that the people see to it that
they are represented by men in the
Legislature who will act for them in
the fullness Of their confidence If
this is done, the governor is relieved
of the arduous task Of seeing that only
such laws arc placed upon the statute
books as arc proper, and which meet
with the approval Of the people Never
In the history OF the party in this
state have the people had a better
opportunity to select able and sub
stantial material from the senatorial
and legislative districts to represent
them In the legislature than through
the primary election where the elector
is guaranteed his free and full voice
in selecting capable men according to
his best judgment. ] shall, if nOmi-
mated and elected governor, adhere to
the duties of the executive branch Of
our state government, and trust the
people in the selection of representa-
-tives to carry out their~ideas of legis-
aation.
Good Roads.
] am heartily in accord with the
prevailing sentiment for the better
ment Of the public roads and highways
OF the state. | favor the enactment
OF such laws as will put our roads
In first-class condition, build new roads
where needed, and maintain the same
at the least possible cost to the peo-
pie.
l favor the building Of main roads
through the state over the most prac-
tical routes; and, as far as possible,
v'.h l#s r@-a.1 tn iht ccn1criInce Of
~: ca@.tias 'Hro ~, W. eh these main
roads viii uot p4es
favor the working Of convicts on
ahe public roads Of the state, and es-
pecially in building the proposed
main roads Convict labor tbus o,,o