The Goldfield news and weekly tribune. [volume] (Goldfield, Nev.) 1911-1947, 1914-10-24
TO THE VOTERS OF NEVADA:

TO THE VOTERS OF NEVADA:
When this campaign began 1 had
no idea that the gambling and d.
vorce issues would enter into 1t. Two
weeks before election these two is
sues are playing a great and possibly
decisive part in the question as to
whether Mr.. Boyle or myself will be
the next governor.
The state, in 1909, on the galnb-
ling question, and in 1913, on the di-
vorce question, had taken positive
action in accordance with what l be-
lieve still is, the sentiment of an
overwhelming majority of the peo-
pie. My attitude on these questions
is a matter of public record. The
morning l left Reno to begin this
campaign, when the direct question
was put to me as to where I stood, If
reelected, in the event that the legis-
lature passed bills restoring open
gambling and the six-months divorce
law, l replied that l would veto
them.
At the time of making that state
ment I knew that the gambling and
divorce questions were the control
ling issues in certain wards in Reno.
Since then / have found the propon-
ents of gambling and divorce organ
election in many other places in the
state. Did these issues rise and gain
momentum without encouragement
from Mr.. Boyle and his supporters?
l put the question fairly. Mr..
Boyle, in all likelihood. was ap-
preached as | was for a statement of
his stand on gambling and divorce.
If so, what answer did he make?
I do not wish to miscOnstrue or
misrepresent his position on these
two vital questions. But an I'M
equivocal public statement as to
where Mr.. Boyle stands OIL gambling
and divorce is imperatively demand
ed in the interests of good govern
ment and fair play to the voters.
| will say, for his information and
for the information of the public,
that it is currently reported in Reno
and elsewhere in the state that on
these same two questions being put
to him, he replied that he would
neither veto nor sign such bills. |
further charge that the gambling
and divorce questions have been
made leading issues in this cam
paign and beer given serious impet-
us by virtue Of such current reports
of the stand of Mr.. Boyle. regardless
of the question of their authenticity.
For such answer, if made, means
that such bills would become laws
by limitation, without the governors
signature, and a bare majority of the
two houses of the legislature would
be all that is necessary to enact them.
On the other hand, a veto would
mean that a twO-thirds vote OF the
two houses would be necessary to
pass them over the Executive veto.
The position accredited to Mr.. Boyle
from gambling and divorce legisla-
ton, while that taken by myself
makes him a powerful factor, equiv
alent to three senators and nine as
semblymen. combined, over and
above the necessary majority to
pass.
There are no personalities involv-
ed in my views on gambling and di-
vOrce. 1t is the system itself that /
oppose and not the persons who fav-
or it. I give every man the right
to his honest opinion and to support
his individual interests as | hold to
mine.
believe that the good name of a
state, from the standpoint of good
morals, is something not only to be
priced but is a material business as
set contributing to the states devel-
opment and prosperity.
further believe that the revenue
which the state and counties derived
from gambling licenses, prior to Oc-
tober 1st, 1910, did not begin to COW
err the extra police and criminal costs
such gambling entailed.
If no other reason existed, my ser
vice on the State Board of Pardons
and Parole alone would make me un-
alterably opposed to an institution
which was responsible for so much
poignant tragedy-the ruin and
wreck of the lives of sc many young
men and the heart-breaking of wives,
mothers and fathers.
cannot consistently believe that
the wage-earners of the state who,
during the wide-open gambling per
iOd staked and lost their wages at
the wheel, want hal temptation
again placed before them. They
and their families are better of and
happier today. l cannot think thai
the clerks in our stores and shops
want it-with the memory OF how
many men went wrong under the
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