The advocate. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1901-1913, 1912-05-16

light for primary election law,
which others are now so vigorously
urging, I am glad to say In all the
progressive legislation and reform
measures which have been enacted
since the Republican party came into
power in West Virginia, l have had a
direct part in helping, as the public
we'll knows. The platform on which
I was nominated and on which Mr..
GlasScock was elected, and upon
which the party won it's last victory
in. the state, was a platform written
for me, and In part by me, and had
my approval. That platform shows
how stand on many public ques-
tons, how I stood four years ago, as
we'll as how stand now, more clear
ly than anything else might say at
this time.
CAS- to platforms, no provision has
been made for the party having one
this year, but it ought to have one,
and will, I think. am in favor OF
calling all the legislative nominees
together after the primary and let
them. in convention, promulgate
platform OF party principles which
will apply to the coming. campaign.
This would be as representative a
body as could be gotten, for upon
these men rest the fultlllment OF what.
ever promises the platform OF the
party makes At the same time.
would invite all other Republicans
who cared to attend to join in the
convention and help formulate the
document and ratify it,
"My idea is that a governor should
administer the executive department
and not try to dictate to the legisla-
tive department, further than making
recommendations and urging them
within the limits of the authority con-
ferred on him by the constitution. 1t
is not his duty to make laws, but to
enforce them, and Il become COVER
nor my chief mission will be to rig
idly and impartially enforce the laws
that we have.
II want to say, too. that in such an
event, I want to do all I can to help
the good roads movement, not by just
talking, but by doing things I want
to see good roads built. not merely
pictured on blueprints. I will strive
to have the convicts in the peniten-
tiary work on the roads. 1t will be
better for them and better for the
state. I will aim to give an admins
tratiOn that will accomplish things
for the workingmen, the fellows who
compose what Lincoln called the
common people The time is long
past when officials should act wholly
for the interests Of the fortunate and
favored classes, those who have
wealth and special privileges. l came
from the common people and my SYM
pathies are with them, and it is my
determined purpose to do things that
will accrue to their especial benefit.
If this be partially or discrimination,
make the best of it, | want to do
things for thoses people who need
things done for them the most l
hope to be the instrument that will
accomplish definite results in a prac-
teal and business-ike way to promte
the growth Of agriculture in West
Virginia. There is too much theory
and not enough action in this matter.
1t is no hard problem when something
is actually done; it only seems hard
when theorists and academicians,
with or without highly colored stere-
optican pictures, lecture about it. l
want to advertise and exploit my
state to the outside world and be the
means Of bringing in outside capital
to develop our vast resources. In that
respect l have already done a great
deal in both private and public
capacity. The very nature Of my bust
ness has brought me in close touch
with capitalists who live in other
states, and l have been the means d.
rectly Of causing large sums OF money
to flow into West Virginia for it's de-