New-York tribune., 1918-05-04
Third Term
Boom Started
By Whitman
Governor Speaks at Rally
at Kings County Re-
publican Club
Preparedness To Be
Issue in Campaign
Friends Expect Executive
to Run for President in
1920 on Same Platform

was formally launched last night at
the Kings County Republican Club by
Eugene Travis, State Controller. and
himself candidate for reelection.
The Governor, who spoke after Con-
troller Travis, made it plain that he
would seek reelection not only on the
business record of his administration
but on the question of preparedness.
After reviewing the work of the
various departments, challenging any
graft or dishonesty against any one
appointed by him or those elected with
him, or against any elective Office, the
Governor said:
1.-TWO years ago my opponent during
the campaign charged that the Gov
ernor and the Legislature of this state
had increased the National Guard to
increase the prestige of the Republican
party in this state. But We saw what
was going to happen and We prepared
for it, and when the Federal govern
ment asked New York State TO provide
$4,000 men to fight with those Won
derful soldiers of France and those
splendid soldiers of Great Britain New
York State more than exceeded its
quota because it was ready. We al
ready have given 10000 of our sons.
Only State Prepared
"When this state, with one-tenth Of
the population of the country, was
asked to furnish troops for the Mex
ican expedition we gave one-fifth Of the
entire number of soldiers that went
down there, and that was because we
were prepared, and we were the only
state that was prepared. Two years
ago they charged the Republican Gov
ernor of this state with a lust of blood
and love of slaughter. The same
charges were hurled at the Republican
Legislature. They don't make that
charge now"
Among the Governors hearers were
several politicians of local prominence,
and more than one expressed the opin-
ion that it would be on this very ques-
ton of preparedness that the Gov
ernor, unless some bigger issue de-
veloped, would base his claims for con-
sideration by his party as it's candi-
date for President in 1920.
The Governor also made answer pub
licly for the first time to those within
and without his parry who have been
stirring up the farmer sentiment
against him.
Claims Farmers Confidence
"There never was a tme," said the
Governor, "when the farmers Of the
state had more absolute confidence in
the administration of the affairs of the
state than they have to- day. know more
about farmers than the men who write
these speeches and resolutions in their
editorial sanctums, who do not know
the difference between a goat and a
cow"
The Governor paid special tribute to
Merton E. Lewis, the State Attorney
General. He said Mr.. Lewis had made
a record that had not been eXcelled by
any of his predecessors. This was
taken as a peace offering to the Attor-
ney General, the only member of the
Whitman cabinet who is not on cordial
relations with the Governor.
Recently there has been good deal
of gossip to the effect that the Attor-
ney General, if he ran at all in the pri-
maries. would run as a candidate
against the Governor. This has been
brought to|an end by the announcement
by George w. Aldrich, the Republican
leader of Mr.. Lewis's county, Monroe,
that he was for the Governor for re-
election.
Vass IndOrses Whitman
Alfred A. Vass, chairman of the
Kings County Republican Committee
was next introduced by Senator
Charles G. Lockwood. who presided
Mr.. Vass said:
Eve are entering this preliminary
campaign under the most favorable con
ditions, and l want to urge upon all the
county leaders to get the women to en-
roll, for | am sure most of them wan,
to vote for Whitman for Governor"
Controller Travis compared the rec
ord of the four years of the Whitman
administration with the four years OF
Democratic rule which preceded it, un-
der Dix, Sulzer and Glynn. He spoke
"of the indictments of scores of Demo
cratic officials, and, referring to the
removal of Governor Sulzer, he said:
II often think that the removal OF
Governor Sulzer was political
mannuvre to get him out and some
body else in"
1t is singular coincidence that il
was in the Kings County Republican
Club that the first Whitman boom was
launched, four years ago. This club
was the first Republican organization
in the state to indorsc Mr.. Whitman's
candidacy.