West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1916-11-16
Governor Johnson Says That Pro-
greSsivc California Could Not
Stand for the Reactionary Crowd
Behind the Republican Candidate
Citizens Cannot Be Bought

Governor Hiram Johnson OF Cali
fornin, elected To tho United States
Senate on the Republican ticket M
tho recent election by 800, 1000, issued
statement the past week giving his
views on why Wilson carried Califor-
MIA although he received such an
overwhelming majority for tho SEN
ate. Among other things Governor
johnson said:
"A few petty politicians so misused
MIR. Hughes and his visit to Califor-
MIA that tho injury they did wo were
unable to undo. When Mr.. Hughes
came into our state William III. Crock
or OF the national Republican commit
tco' and Francis V. Keesling OF the
Republican state committee, and a
small coteric created n situation I'm
which they made Il appear that Mr.
hughes was entirely reactionary and
that he was neither In accord with nor
sympathetic with California's progross
and achievements.
1T was not alone I'm their public
ultimatum that Mr.. Hughes would
have nothing TO do with the Progres-
sives In California, but Il was the at
mosphere they created about our can
didate. Californians looked aghast
and unfortunately believed that the
situation created presented and re-
vealed the mind OF Mr.. Hughes and
that the mind thus revealed was what
long ago California had passed by and
repudiated.
"These little politicians doing their
little politics preferred the gratifca-
ton OF their malice and the momen-
tary triumph of their prejudice to tho
success OF the Republican Preslden-
tial candidate.
"They not only affronted Progres-
sives and ignored Progressive leaders,
but In San Francisco, with equal stu
pidity, they ignored San Francisco'g
greatest vote-getter and most popular
mayor. James Rolph, Jr.. and In Los
Angeles treated In like fashion tho
newly appointed lieutenant governor,
the most popular man there, William
d. Stephens. both OF whom were regis
tered Republicans
"A greater wrong was ignoring %
state and its record OF progressive and
humanitarian legislation. California
citizenship Is proud, sensitive, dis
eliminating, independent and educat-
ed. No man, no set OF men, can de-
liver 1t or any part OF IT,"
Notwithstanding my own contest
was ended and my success assured
with the primaries, campaigned CAL
ifornia for Mr.. Hughes, but many Re
publican papers would give no public
ity to my arguments for the ReDubli-
can candidate. When Mr. Hughes first
came to California our people saw
first with amozement, then with sad
ness, then with increasing Indignation,
that apparently he was wholly I'm
charge OF those who represented the
system which the state had repudla-
ted.
IF California has been a deciding
factor In this election national com
mitteeman Crocker, state committee
man Keesling and Harrison Gray Otis
OF the Los Angeles Times and the few
acting in concert with them have the
proud distinction OF having made o
President OF the United States and
woodrow Wilson owes to them debt
that he never can repay.
Referring TO his own large major
ity as contrasted with Hughes failure
to carry the state, the governor noted
the fact that the state OF Washington
elects Senator Polndexter by an over
whelming majority and decisiyely goes
for Wilson; that Kansas overwhelm-
ingly elected Capper, Republican. gov
ernOr, and defeats Hughes by large
majority; that Minnesota elected Re-
publican governor and Kellogg, Re
publican, United States Senator, and
yet presents vote similar TO ours
upon the Presidency.
"In our own state in the Congress
sional district which went heaviest for
Wilson, Congressman Curry. Republl-
can. wins by FIVE 20 one, being unoD-
posed. and in San Francisco. where
Wilson received his largest majority.
Kahn, Republican for Congress, wins
by FIVE TO one"
Mr.. Crocker after reading part OF
the statement, said
Il prefer 70 maintain a dlgniled sil.
enee."