Yerington times. [volume] (Yerington, Nev.) 1907-1932, 1914-10-24
AN OPEN LETTER
FROM GOVERNOR ODDIE
TO EMMIT BOYLE.

When this campaign began | had
no idea that the gambling and divorce
issues woud enter into it, Two weeks
before election these two issues 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 gambling
question, and in 1913, on the divorce
question, had taken positive action in
accordance with what | believe was,
and believe. still is, the sentiment of
an overwhelming majority of the peo-
pie. My attitude on these questions
is matter of public record. The
morning | left Reno to begin this
campaign, when the direct question
was put to me as to where | stood, if
reelected, in the event that the Legis-
lature passed bills restoring open
gambling and the months divorce
law, replied that would veto them
At the time of making that state
ment | knew that the gambling and
divorce questions were the controll-
ing issues in certain wards in Reno.
Since then | have found the propon-
ents of gambling and divorce organ
lied and taking an active part in the
election in many other places in this
State Did these issues rise and gain
momentum without encouragement
from Mr.. Boyle and his supporters?
/ put the question fairly. Mr. Boyle,
in all likelihood, was approached as
| was for statement of his stand on
gambling and divorce. If SO, what
answer did he maker
| do not wish to misconstrue or
msinterpret his position on these
two vital questions. But an unequivo-
cal statement as to where Mr. Boyle
stands on gambling and divorce is
imperatively demanded in the inter
ests of good government 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
4 nor sign such bills further charge
that the gambling and divorce ques-
tions have been leading issues in this
campaign and been given serious i'm
petus by virtue of such current re-
ports of the stand of Mr.. Boyle, re-
gardless of the question of their au
thenticity For such answer, if made,
means that such bills would become
laws by Limitation, without the Gov
ernor's signature, and bare majority
of the two houses of the Legislature
would be all that is necessary to enact
them On the other hand, veto
would mean that a two-thrds vote
of the two houses would be necessary
to pass them over the Executive Veto
The position accredited to Mr.. Boyle
amounts to effacing the Governor
from gambling and divorce legislation,
while that taken by myself makes him
a powerful negative factor, equivalent
to three Senators and nine Assembly
men, combined, over and above the
necessary majority TO pass.
I There are no personalities involved
in my views on gambling and divorce.
1t is the system itself that | oppose
and not the persons who favor it. |
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
State from the standpoint of good
morals, is something no only to be
priced but is material business asset
contributing to the States develop
ment and prosperity.
| further believe that the revenue
which the State and counties derived
from gambling license, prior to Oc-
tober |, 1910, did not begin to cover
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 so many young men
and the heart breaking wives, moth
ers and fathers.
cannot consistently believe that
the wage-earners of the State, who
during the wide-open gambling period
staked and lost their wages at the
wheel. want that temptation again
placed before them. They and their
families are better off and happier to-
| lay | cannot think that the clerks
IN our stores and shops want it-with
the memory of how many young men