The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1916-06-02
west VIRGINIA'S HOT
PRIMARY ON June 9Th
BITTER CONTESTS FOR SOME OF
THE BIG OFFICES or THE
STATE.


most exciting. even eleyatins, cam
palgns for the governorship West Nir-
ginia has ever experienced. Ia both
the Republican and DemQcratic parties
the gubernatorial contest overshad-
ows all other contests in interest ard
enthusiasm, but the Democratic breath
rem have exercised more caution and
have been more temperate IN The dis
cussions pertaining 10 that Office and
involving their candidates.
Although the Indications are, In the
minds OF many OF the politicians OF
both parties, that the trend OF the
gubernatorial fight among the Repub-
leans during the past two weeks has.
been toward General LILY, the Robin
son forces Will not admit any losses,
but insist that their candidate will
cross the plate June with votes To
spare.
Governor Hatfield has decided the
issue between the two candidates Tor.
Governor The presence Of the State
Executive on the stump in behalf Of
Judge Robinson and vigorously oppos
ing the candidacy Of the Attorney
General viii either make or break
Judge Robinson.
While Governor HATFIELD has not.
spoken to large crowds, his speeches
being made in the smaller communi
ties, his words have been freely cir
culated in that portion Of the state
press supporting the former jurist for
the Governorship. From the start he
has been severely condemnatory OF
Genera! Lilly, both in a personal and
official way.
In his speeches Governor Hatfield
has been bitter in his attacks against
the Attorney General. During the week
he alleged that General Lilly, in charge
Of the litigation had been neglectful Of
the states interests, asserting that he
had been engaged in a riot OF rev.
elry'' while in the Eastern states. On
Count No. 2 he charged Lilly with be-
ing the candidate of the coal interests
of southern West Virginia and assert
ed that "slush fund" OF S250,O00 had
been raised to nominate the Attorney
General He attacked z. Taylor Vim
son, OF Huntington, prominent lawyer.
as one Of the chief hackers OF the Lilly
candidacy and insisted that Vinson
would control Lilly in the event OF his
election. vinson had never supported
any of the so-called social justice
legislation, il was asserted.
In a speech at Niorgantown General
Lilly made answer to the Governors
charges. placing him in the Annanias
Club and announcing that he could get
the affidavits OF 400 reputable Repub-
licans TO keep him there.
Concerning the charge that he had
neglected the states interests in the
debt litigation General Lilly referred
to the message OF the Governor to the
Legislature. in which Hatfield announc
ed that he had been attentive and ef-
fective and to the speech OF the Cow
ernor at Point Pleasant, in which LII
ly's work was referred to as honenst,
thorough and conscientious and the
state congratulated on the service and
success of the Attorney General
The Attorney General declared that
the presence OF the Governor on the
stump and his remarks in opposition To
men engaged in the coal industry was
to distract the attention Of the voters
from the issue OF machine rule and
the activities OF those on the states
payroll Friends OF Taylor Vinson
came to his defense with the public
statement that Yinson had been on the
stump in the past several campaigns
in the interest OF the Republican nom
inee for Governor and that he wrote
the original draft Of the first work
mems compensation law enacted by
the state.
Relative to the proportions OF a
81, fttn1W II and Dnhfngar,
forces are unable to agree. II was
charged by Governor Hatfield that the
coal men had contributed $25O,Q00 to
the Lilly campaign. The answer came
back that Lilly was still short $4,000 ]
for the reason that the 40 per cent in I
crease in the state tax had netted the
state 100000. and that this was be- 4
ing used in the support OF Judge Rob- /
inson.
The wet and dry question also fig I
ures in the gubernatorial struggle .
Governor Hatfield charges on the I
stump that General Lilly is playing
both ends: that he is wet in wet coun-
ties and dry in dry counties; but ex-
pressed his own opinion that Lilly will
be the fayorite among the liquor in
terests.
Attorney General Lilly retalia:ed
with the assertion that the Governor,
who is now espousing the dry cause,
is the same man who thrice voted /
against the submission of the prohi- 4
bition amendment to the voters OF the
state, and voted for an amendment to
those engaged in the bus
mess for the losses sustained when the
state entered the arid territory.
Democratic Candidates.
While the Democratic leaders and
have been more discreet
than their Republican brethren in at
tempting TO pick candidate for Gov
ernor. and they have not resorted to
attacks. il is dawning upon
the members OF that party that their
contest is not at all one
sided. For some weeks II appeared that
John j. Cornwell, who led the hosts in
1904. would have easy sailing. but his
two opponents. Cory Hogg. OF Fayette
and ID. +. French. OF Mercer
county. have made active and ener-
setic campaigns. and while the betting
,avors Cornwell. the result is clouded
With some doubt.
The man fight against Senator Corn I,
we'll has been directed at his criticism
u the National Administration. and ,
editorials In his newspaper hearing on ,
he Wilson Administration have been ,
RELY circulated. cornwell contends.