Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1912-04-20
Formal Announcement of His
Candidacy For Governor.
STANDS UPON HIS OWN RECORD
His Position Outlined on Some Of the
Most Important Questions of the
Day--Party Success In
State First.

In my tentative announcement some
weeks past, / stated that | would sub.
NIT. to the people at later date a
fomal announcement together with
my position on different matters which
interest the whole people, thereby Civ
ing to them a better opportunity to
judge my fitness for the high position
of honor and trust for which | am
asking them to consider me. | am
glad to submit my claims to the Re.
pubicans of West Virginia, and ask
them, after due consideration, to rem
der verdict according to their best
judgment.
Permit me to say that ! shall make
my contest independently of any fac
ton, but submitting my claims to the
whole party. In case of my nominal
ton, 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 po-
litical 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
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.
] 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, 1t is
one duty of the Chief Executive to
recommend and earnestly insist upon
proper laws, but it is still more i'm
portant that the people see to 1t 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. Never
In the history of the party in this
state have the people had a better
opportunity to select able and sub
stantial mat erial 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
tives to carry out their ideas of legis.
lation.
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.
| favor the building of main roads
through the state over the most prac
tical 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 convlcts or
the public roads of the state, and es
pecially in building the proposed
main roads. Convict labor thus EN-
ployed removes Objectionable competi
ton with free labor in the various
pursuits in which it is now employed
in the state.
There has been, for a number o.
years, a great deal of discussion
among persons interested in the refor
nation of criminals, as to the bes
means of accomplishing this end. L
! is a fact to be deprecated that many
/ persons, young in years and ineXperi
/ enced in the ways of the world, who
are yet not beyond reformation, are
/ sent to the penitentiary, where the.
/ are compelled TO associate with th'
most hardened and depraved charac
/ tiers.
AS a means of remedying, at leas
TO some extent, this deplorable condi
ton and at the same time giving t
the state the benefit of the services 0
the convicts, | favor law to provid,
for working on the public roads of thi
state, under the supervision of tn,
department of agriculture, all nal,
/ persons, convicted for the first time O
a felony, when the punishment fixeC
by the court does not exceed confine
ment for five years, and giving to tn,
courts discretion to sentence them t
hard labor on the public roads, in
stead Of sending such persons to tn
penitentiary.
Such a law would not only enabl
us to build, improve and keep in re
! pair our roads, but would wisely Civ
TO the courts the discretion TO sen
tence persons convicted for the frs
| rirna of a felony and who are not Drc