The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1916-10-27
WEST V|RG|h|AhS
No LONGER KNOWN
AS SNAKE HUNTERS
Change Came When Repub-
Leans Took Charge of
Government.
Mr.. ROB|NS0N'S SPEECH
Arraigns Cornwell For His
Refusal to Stand on His
Platform.

Hundreds Of persons were turned
away this afternoon and were unable
to hear Judge Ira Robinson because
Of the refusal of Mayor Bowen TO al.
low the local committee to hold an
open air meeting from the court house
steps. However the largest crowd that
has ever been inside the court house
packed the circuit court room and
filled the corridors outside the doors
In the effort to hear the Judge even II
they were unable to see him.
The meeting was called to order
promptly at 2:30 o'clock by County
Chairman Frank r. Amos and ]. A.
Meredith with a few brief remarks
introduced Judge Robinson.
At the outset OF his speech the
judge declared that he stood squarely
upon the platform of the Republican
party. made at the convention In
Huntington, on August 10, last, and
that he had no apologies to make for
that stand. He said it had been q
notable fact throughout the campaign
that his opponent, John J. Cornwell,
had refused TO stand on the platform
OF his own party--a document OF crit
icism and abuse which characterizes
Republicans generally and individ-
ually as set Of pick pockets and
thieves.
MY opponent seeks to appeal to
petty passions and prejudices among
Republicans" said the judge. "He
says there is soreness in the Republic
can party. We have not found 1t SO.
E1n 4 70, ttat fhntt-
sands Of Republican votes to win, and
appeals to those his, platform calls
pick pockets and thieves to vote for
him. ] call that very small line OF
Craftsmanship. Mr.. Cornwell may not
stand on his platform now, but he
would be forced to stand on it in case
Of his election. do not ask for your
votes unless you believe in the con-
structive advance OF our state as ex-
cmplified in the beneficial policies Of
the Republican party. Measures, not
men, are the issues. The party is the
candidate. l am sure the good peo-
pie of West Virginia are not going to
cast aside principle in this election.
have now visited every section Of
our state and have found the Repub-
lican party united and determined as
never before on victory this year. We
need only to be vigilant to win a
greater victory than ever before.
''In 1896 when the Republicans
came into power In West Virginia
through the election of Governor
George Wesley Atkinson. we were
noted abroad only as snake hunters,
seng diggets and Democrats. We
we're ashamed when we left the state
to acknowledge that we were West
Virginians. Under the constructive
policies and efficient direction of the
Republican party since 1896. our
state has bloomed and blossomed as
the rose and We have come to be ma
tionally nown as the most rapidly de-
Yeloped state in the union. Now
when we so abroad we are proud to
acknowledge that we hail from West
Virginia, and the world Is glad to
meet us and to compliment us on our
wonderful progress.
II stand for greater state reputa-
ton and greater state efficiency, and
above all economy In the administra-
ton Of state affairs. But. stand for
progress with economy. l shall never
stand for single backward step In
the work we are doing in West vir.
ginia for human good. The Republic
can party believes not In retrogres-
sion, but advance.
I'VE must continue to maintain
and improve our institutions for the
care Of the deaf. dumb, blind, insane
and other unfortunates. Our normal
schools, colleges and university must
keep step with the times. Agricul-
tural extension work so well started
must be continued, and the time has
now come. owing to the close inter
relation Of states and counties for O
policy of federal and state aid in the
construction and maintenance of good
roads.
"One Of the problems of the day
that I propose to work out for the
people of West Virginia as their gov
ernor is that of more efficient and
more economical construction and
maintenance of our highways. In
this day when the advance of auto
mobiles has brought a greater inter-
relation between counties and states
the call to US Is to prepare good
roads. By work Of this character va
will render q service not only to hu-
manity Of the present but to that of
the future.
"The commercial aspect Of Il, the
aiding OF the great course of life and
industry In the state is Of high i'm
portance. but not all that comes from
good roads Our natural scenery, our
blue grass lands and our mineral 70
sources are uncxee!led. The opening
up to = ready view of all these is Of
wonderful importance for an increase
OF tho population and the industry OF
our state that makes for better life
AMI greater development. Tourists
passing through will not forget west
Virginia.
Continued oaspass .r~elys.,