West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1916-02-03
Hon. John J. COrnwell Announce,

1aN"s ~Vhh - tVhhWCh AuuOuuCtS
To the Democratic Voters OF West
Virginia:
have decided to become a candi-
date for the nomination for Governor
on the Democratic ticket at the gem
eral primary I'm June.
That decision has been prompted
by letters from various sections, per-
sonal solicitations and the expressions
OF some OF the newspapers OF the state
coupled with the fact that the nomi-
nation will be decided by the individ-
ual voters at primary election.
A natiye-born West Virginian. my
forty-nine years have been spent In
the state. My life. public and private,
has been an open book. My record
as a member Of the State Senate had
the white light of publicity turned up
on 1t In the memorable campaign OF
1904, and despite many misrepresen-
tations, brought no embarrassment to
the party whose standard / carried.
l need only say now to the friends
who stood so loyalty by me in that
struggle against political odds, crook
ed deals and fraudulent votes, that
while during the twelve years of pri-
vate life since, have been outspoken
and frank on all public questions,
some times wrong, and more often,
perhaps, tndiscreet, have done moth
Ing for which they or will be called
upon to apologize.
While l shall expect to be in ac-
cord with the platform Of my party
upon Its fundamental policies, may,
nevertheless, say with propriety, that
should l be nominated and elected,
Insofar as 1t falls to my lot, the laws
will be enforced strictly and Impair
TALLY, without regard to wealth, posi-
ton 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 that
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 of taxation, while the levying
and collecting Of more tax money
than Is needed, tends to breed extrava-
gance In expenditures. Every useless
Office, big or little, begets contempt
for rightful authority and tends to un-
dermine faith and confidence in our
governmental institutions.
Hence 1 would pledge myself to
stop the growing practice of padding
the pay rolls OF the state with ap-
pointees, whose tenure OF Office is fix
ed by executive will, rather than by
statute law, and whose duties are po-
litical rather than governmental.
make one other solemn pledge:
Under no circumstances will make,
or authorize any one to make for me,
any deal, arrangement or bargain,
with any person, concern, combina-
ton, association or interest, to fur
Their my nomination or election. I'm
less l can be nominated and elected
without complications or commit
ments that would prevent my having
free hand to do those things which
my judgment might dictate, after
proper advice. counsel and informa-
ton, 1 do not want the office.
am not unmindful OF the great re-
sponsibilities OF the office OF governor,
and Its Importance and dignity. l
likewise realize that the state is con-
fronted with more than the usual
number OF perplexing problems which
must be firmly and courageously met,
II we are to escape a crushing tax bur-
den-I may be pardoned for saying
l pointed out in the campaign of 1904
as inevitable under the laws propos-
ed and the political methods and prac-
tees then and since in vogue. I fur
Their believe the people prefer COM
mon sense, business methods applied
to their state government rather than
political demagoguery of which they
have had an abundance.
Inasmuch as / am not a stranger
to the people OF the state, having spo-
ken to them in almost every county in
other campaigns. involving some of
the same Issues that will be confront
ed in this one, shall not exhaust my
physical strength or dissipate my linn
tied resources in making any extern
sive stumping tour of the state to
obtain the nomination. but prefer to
husband them in order, IL nominated.
to be able to go into every county, and
II possible every school district, and
present with all my energy the Issues
to the people for their serious con-
sideration and fair determination.
ask your support in the primary
and will appreciate letter of advice
or information from as many Of my
friends as care to write me.
Very truly,
JOHN ]. CORNWELL.
RCruuav