Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1916-02-01
CornWelI in the Race For Governor


Hon, John !. Cornwell,o f Hampshire
County, has come out as a candidate for
the Democ ratio nominate IN for Governor
of West Virginia.
His statement follows:
To the Democratic Voters of West
Virginia:
have decided to become a candidate
for the nomination for Governor on the
Democratic ticket at the General Primary
in June.
That decision has been prompted by
letters from various sections. personal
solicitations and the expressions of some
of the newspapers of the State, couple
with the fact that the nominations will be
decided by the individual voters at
primary election,
A native born Westvirginia. my forty
nine years have been spent in the State
My life, pubic and private, has been
an open book. My record, as a
member of the State Senate. had the
white light of publicity turned upon it in
the memorable campaign of 1904. and
despite many misrepresentation brought
no embarrassment to the patty. whose
standard carried. need only say now
to the friends who Stood so Loyalty by me
10 that struggle against political odds.
crooked deals and fraudulent votes, that
while during the twelve years Of private
life since l have been outspoken and
frank on all public questions. sometime
wrong. and more often. perhaps, md IS.
Greet, | have done nothing for which
they or l will be called upon to apologize
While | shall expect to be in accord
with the platform of nv party upon its
fundamental policies. | may, neverthe.
less. say propriety. that should beinomi.
mated and elected. insofar as It tall to my
| lot. the laws will be enforced strictly
and impartially. without regard to wealth
position or influence of any one.
would use my best efforts to give the
people of the State an efficient, business
| like administration. having in mind thai
the place to begin tax reforms is in the
| matter of expenditures. Public money
| spent unnecessarily constitutes a crime
against those who bear the burden oil
taxation, while the ievying and collect.
ing OF more tax money than is needed
| finds m brood svtroya1opca -, axraod;
tures. Every useless Office big or little
gets ut -'opt tor ri b full authority
| nj tend t. undermine faith and conf
| deuce in our governmental Institutions.
Hence, would pledge mysel to stoE
the growing practice OF padding the pay
no Is of the > ate with appointees, whose
tenure of office isfixed by executive will
rather than bv statute law, and whose
duties are pc calrAther than govern
mental.
make one ether solemn pledge: Un
| der no unstances will | make, OF
author'z .su, one to make for me, any
deal ulan gem mt or bArg ain, with any
persOr, crucetu. combination aSSocia
ton or interest, to further my nomination
| or election Unless / can be nominated
| and el ced without complication or com.
m,tments that would prevent my having
free hand to do thosee things which
my Judgment might dictate after proper
advice, counsel and Information, | dc
| not want the Office.
am not unmlndFul of the great respou
sibilties of the office of Governor. and
its importance and dignity. l likewise
realize that the State is confronted with
more than the usual number of perplex
ing problems which must be firmly and
courageously met if We are to escape q
crushing AK surden. burden-I may
| be pardoned for sayiug-I pointed out il
the campaign of 1904 as inevitable under
the laws proposed and the political meth
DDS and practices. then aud since in
vogue, further believe the people pre-
| fer common sense business methods APP.
piled to their State government rather
than political demagoguery of winch they
| have had an abundance.
Inasmuch as am not stranger tc
the people of the State having spoken tc
them in almost every county in Other
campaigns, involving some of the same
issues that will be confronted in this one
shall not exhaust my phi, steal strength
or dissipate my limited RESOURCES in NAL
ing any extensive stumping tour of tn,
State to obtain the nomi lAtio !, but pre-
fer to hush nd them III orde-, If uomina.
ted TO be able to go into every county
and If pc Sb!e every school district, anC
present with all my rr, ICY The issues t.
me people for their s. ,us co isiderAtior
| ard fair Getermiuatrol.
ask your suppori in the prIma. anC
wi apps ciat- letter of advice or il,
formation from as many of my friend
As care % write me.
| Very truly
JOHN J. CoRNwELL