The advocate. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1901-1913, 1912-04-18
DR.. HATFIELBS
PLATFORM
Formal Announcement of His
=. Candidacy For Governor.
STANDS UPON HIS OWN RECORD
His Position Outlined on Como of the
Most important Questions Of the
Day-Party Success in "
20 State First.

To the Republicans Of West Virginia:
| am a candidate for the nomination
for Governor of West Virginia, subject
to the primary to be held June 18th,
1912.
In my tentative announcement some
weeks past, l stated that l would sub
NIT to the people at Il later date
fomal announcement together with
my position on different matters which
Interest the whole people, thereby Civ
ling to them a better opportunity to
judge my fitness for the high position
of honor and trust for which I am
lasking them to consider nc. l am
glad to submit my claims to the Re-
publicans of West Virginia and ask
them, after due consideration, to rem
der verdict according to their best
Judgment.
Permit me to say that l shall mako
my contest independently of any fac.
ton, but submitting my claims to the
whole party. In case Of my nomina
ton, l shall then feel that | am in
debted to the party as whole and be
free to act Independently in deciding
matters as well as discussing the 20,
litical conditions which will and do
affect each and every Republican alike
regardless of his alignment in the
past.
The act Of our ferefathers in dvid-
ing our government into three distinct
or separate branches was wise and
thoughtful, and any branch Of the gov
eminent which assumes to dictate or
to control the other, is in absolute
conflict with the states constitution
l thoroughly recognize that the duty
of the Chief Executive under our form
OF government is to carry out the
mandates Of the people, as express d
by their representatives. True, it is
one duty Of the Chief Executive TO
recommend and earnestly insist upon
proper laws, but it is still more I'M
Dortant that the people sec 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 are placed upon the statute
- books as are proper, and which meet
with the approval of the people. NeVc:
I iii the history Of the party in t.ls
state have the people had a better
opportunity to select able and cuJ-
stantial material from the SEM: 3Yial
and Legislative districts to represent
them in the legislature than through
the primary election where the clCctor
is guaranteed his free and full voice
i'll selecting capable men according TO
his best Judgment. l shall, if nom-
mated and elected governor, adhere 20
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 Legs
| latiOn.
II Good Roads.
II l am heartily in accord with the
prevailing sentiment for the better
ment Of the public roads and HIGHWAYS
I Of the state-I-fapor the enactment
Of such laws as will put our roads
in -tirst-class condition, build new roads
where needed, and maintain the same
at the least possible cost to the peo-
pie.
I-favor the building of main roads
through the state over the most Drac-
teal routes; and, as far as possible,
with due regard to the convenience of
the counties through which these main
roads will not pass.
| favor the working Of COnviCtS on
the public roads Of the state, and c.
so Epeeially in building the proposed
main roads. Convict labor thus cll-
plOycd removes Objectionable compcti-
ton with free labor in the various
pursuits in which it is now employed
in the state.
There has been, for a number Of
years, q great deal Of discussion
among persons interested in The rcfOr-
maticn Of criminals, as to the best
means Of accomplishing this end 1t
is fact to be deprecated that many
persons, young, in years and inexpc"i.
encGd in the ways Of the world. who
are yet not beyond reformation, are
sent to the penitentiary,. where they
arc compelled to associate with the
most hardened and depravcd charac.
terS
AS a means Of rcmedying, at least
TO some extent, this dcplOrablc c0ndj.
ton and at the same time giving to
the state the bcHeft Of the services Of
the cCnvjCtS, | favor u law to provide
for working or the public ROADS Of tbs
state. under the supervision Of the
department Of agriculture, all nale
persons, convicted for the first time If
d felony, when tho punishment GEe |
by the court docs not exceed c0nfnc.
mon for five years. and giving to III
cOWts discretion to sentence them {:
| hard labor on tn public rCade -,