Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1916-04-08
GENERAL ABE LILLY
STATES POSITION
WITH GOVERNOR
EXPLAINS TO AUDIENCE AT CLAY
WHY HE DisAGREES WITH
CHIEF EXECUTIVE.
TELLS WHY THE STATE ADMIN
ISTRATION HAS ATTACKED
HIM.
ALSO SHOWS THAT THE 5Uel.
NESS OF HIS OFFICE HAS
INCREASED.

CLAY. w. Va. April 5.--Attorney
General Abe Lilly, Republican candi-
date for governor in a speech here
Monday made vigorous defense TO the
charges made by his opposition that
he was fighting the administration
admitting that he had not always
agreed with the methods of Governor
Hatfield, and coupling his reply to a
mblc statement made by the COVER
ror. with the charge that the en-
ployes of the state government were
being compelled to attack his candi-
dacy, their campaign being conduct
&c at the expense of the taxpayers.
On the contrary General Lilly de-
clared that he had never differed
with any policy of the Republican par
~ either in state or nation and adj
yised his hearers that Governor Hat
field did not constitute either the Re-
publican party or the Republican adj
ministration. General Lilly said:
Il had hoped during my candidacy
for the nomination for governor that
II would not Unnecessary to make
any reference to or answer of the
unjust and extreme criticism of that
part of the press influenced, dominat-
ed and controlled by Governor Hat
field, and that it would not be nee
essary to have any controversy with
him through the press Of the state
or otherwise.
But in view of the fact that he
has not been content with forcing
the various state employees, paid by
your tax money and mine, to make
an open and vigorous fight against
me: that he has nor been content
with abusing and disappearing me
III his political personal organ and
other papers influenced and control
led by him; that he has not been
content with going to Mcdowell coun-
ty as many as three times in one
month to make personal fight for his
candidate for governor, but has kill
ed himself as the principal speaker
at Mullens and other places With my
opponent and his apopintee Mr.. Hen
ry. chief of the department of mines,
/. now becomes apparent that / should
make reference to and answer of his
interview criticsiing me and publish
ed in his political mouthpiece at
Charleston on February Is.
81 do not concur with Governor Hat
field in his notion that he is the Re-
publican administration, and that to
oppose him means a violation of Re-
publican principles or Republican adj
ministration. l defy him or anyone
else to show that / have taken any
ground that is contrary to the party
platform on which l was elected.
have always been in accord with my
party on its platform pledges in both
state and nation.
Governor Hatfield as we'll as his
specially controlled newspapers seem
fond of saying that | am against the
administration, because / have at
times held views contrary to those
held and voted by him. 1t is a poor
rule that won't work both ways. If
! am condemned for taking a position
contrary to that taken by the COVER
nor, is he not subject to like con-
demnation for taking position OPP
posite to me or some other member
OF the administration. l recall on one
occasion where an important matter
came before the Board of Public
Works the vote stood three for the
position taken by Governor Hatfield
and three for the position occupied
by myself. The seventh member did
not vote.
''On another occasion in a Virginia
debt controversy four members OF
the administration stood with me and
one with the governor Does he con-
denim five-sevenths of the administra-
ton for not supporting the admins
tration?'
'The governor and his political sa-
tellites seem to be obsessed with the
fattering JUNCTION that he is the Re.
publican party and the Republican
administration. He is not. There
are other elective officers who are a
part of the administration, receiving
their authority as such from the Re
publican voters in greater majority
and as much responsible for the well
fare of the party and for good govern
ment as he is, and who would be trait
ors to their trust and subject to con-
demnation from their constituents If
they did not have courage enough to
insist upon what they conceive to be
right for the best interest OF the par