Martinsburg W Va evening journal. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1913-1920, 1920-03-25
Daily
Editorial
Digest
(Title Appld for u. s. Pat off)
Edited by the Washington
Feature Service
DAVID LAWRENCE, Prest.
LOW DEN-FARME Err
AND BUSINESSMAN

The campaign OF Governor Frank
o. G0wden of Illinois, for the Repub-
liean presidential nomination is bas-
ed on an unusual combination of
qualities. Governor Lowden is at
the same time a farmer and bust
ness administrator. With this com
bination his managers expect to
claim strong support from the agri-
cultural states, where there is insist
ent demand for a better understand.
ing of the farmers situation, and also
to meet the growing public senti-
ment. in favor of more businesslike
administration OF public affairs.
The Seattle Post.Intelligencer
OGd. Rep puts special emphasis on
the latter point. 1t says that Gov
ecaor Lowden's achievements as
chief executive of Illinois have Gre
ated profound impression through
ont the country" because "he adapt
ed plain business principles to the
administration of government in his
state" and found a solution of the
problem of steadily increasing cost o.
government and corresponding loss
y Efficiency" He brought about the
D0ption of the civil administrative
code, which abolished more than 125
boards, commissions and independent
offices, and vested their functions i'll
nile new departments, each under
the control of one man. :. The actual
saTilg to the taxpayers has been a
reduction OF one-third of the prop
ertY tax levied for state purposes in
two years"
1he plain. common people" notes
the Utica Observer (Dem.) might
enjoy the novelty of having COVER
nors and presidents who would take
some account of the growing ex-
pense of the administration of gov
ernments." But the same paper de-
spairs of making any strong appeal
to the convention on this score, and
thinks that in advancing this plea
Governor Lowden shows "he is not
good politician" For, continues
the Observer:
The political managers do not
care to nominate and elect men who
favor retrenchment. and simpler and
fewer and less cumbersome govern.
ment departments. They want
states overrun with all sorts OF com.
missions into which thousands OF
their henchmen can be hidden as
they draw their substance from the
public crib. They don't want men
who will save, but men who will
swagger."
1t is as farmer that the Sioux
11H
greatest appeal in the Lowden candi-
dacy. The farmers, it thinks, will
support him because che knows their
needs and sympathies with their
problems. 49,. Governor Lowden owns
and operates one of the largest farms
in Illinois, and he owns two large
cotton plantations in Arkansas and
has extensive stOck-breeding inter
ests in Texas.
Governor LOwden has many al
mirable qualities and would make a
splendid president" declares tho Des
Moines Capital (Rep0 and it think.
he would be particularly strong as a
conciliator Of various factions. Tn
like General Wood, SAYS the Capital
he has rot tried To- take any man s
state away from him" and he SO
cured the nomination for goyerno4 81
Illinois by strenuous campaign
which he never uttered an unkint
"afd about his rival candidates, nc,
did he even Criticise them. Consc
gHcntlE tire nomination proved to l.
equivalent tO an election. The R0a
l0he Times CDeml. commenting O.
I "a, -,,Fs,