Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-03-01
THE SPRING ELECTIONS.

Our annual town elections are at hand.
Their Importance to all the vital interests
Of the special localities to which they per-
tain is well understood They concern
the taxpayer particularly, for they touch
his pocket, and they also have much TO do
with the thrift and progress Of the town.
The officers of the past year render an ac-
count of their stewardship and make
known the demands of the future, and the
question Of who shall succeed them in the
places of trust and responsibility which
they have filed is to be settled So in this
view the annual town meeting is an i'm
portant occasion. Taxes, schools, high
ways, all depend upon them. In these
matters the interest of all the citizens is
the same. 1t is for the general good to
have town affairs economically and honest
ly managed, the schools well and liberal
IL supported, and so ON through the whole
catalogue.
But there are political duties also in
cumbent upon voters which are as inn
which are too often neglected because the
necessity of attending TO them is not so
distinctly seen. 1t is the bounden duty of
republicans, while attending carefully to
the immediate wants of the town in re-
specs to faithful administration of its af-
fairs, to uphold the interests of the nation
al party organization with which they are
connected. In every town in the State
there are republicans honest and compe-
tent enough to be trusted with the discharge
of the duties belonging to town officers. SO
there is no excuse on that score for going
outside of the party TO make nominations
and when it is considered that the elections
are held to be n party test, that they decide
the custody of the ballot box at the fall
and other elections, and have wide in
nuence upon party success. it will be seen
how weighty are the reasons that urge re-
puhlicans to stand by their organization in
these town meetings. Were the republi-
can party destitute of men fit to fill the
Offices there might be some apology for
suTTendering the field, but they are not so
beggarly poor in men as this. That good
and capable men should be selected is true
In this we agree with those who sometimes
urge independent, or no-party, or mixed
nominations, but we have vet to learn
that there is anything to be gained in the
way of honesty, fidelity or ability in the
management of town business by passing
over the republican party to seek candi-
dates among the democracy.
For the purpose of making satisfactory
and available nominations the eaucuses
should be well attended. Failure to attend
the caucuses is becoming recognized as an
evil. 1t is expected that all will attend,
thereby making more certainproper nomin-
aiions, but if any fail to attend they
should be the last to complain of the
action of those who have spirit and inter-
est enough to be present. 1t is too often
the case that men neglect TO attend eau
cuses and then find fault with their nomin-
atoms and results. Had they been present
they might have had different state of
things, but it is unjust and unmanly to re-
proach others with what might have been
in their own power to prevent had they
not been too negligent or perverse to aid
in preventing. This class of fault finders
is receiving less and less sympathy as their
merits are better understood. There is
little difficulty in getting suitable and ac-
ceptable candidates if the caucuses are
properly attended. Let committees give
full notice of meetings and then let the
voters attend or forbear to find fault with
the doings if they stay at home.
This year the democrats design to carry
as many of the town elections as they
can, either by open fight or secret strategy.
They are organizing throughout the State,
under the direction OF their State Commit
tee. They have started the ball by taking
the lead in putting party ticket in the
field at Portland, and on this line they will
fight it out wherever they have or expect
to control majority. Where they are
"N~n tnSJ Will PiCau III
tons, and expatiate upon the duty and adj
vantage of discarding politics in town elec
tons. Be not deceived by any of theil
wiles. They aim at party success. They
are getting ready for the compaign of 1872
now rapidly drawing on. Every mean.
will be taken to discipline, increase, anC
strengthen their force, with view to eff
Gent action in the Presidential contest
The elections this spring are the initia
movement. Let republicans see that they
act with their usual prudence, understand
ing and vigor, and allow the enemy no adj
vantage at the outset With reduced gov.
eminent and State taxation, we can meet
them on strong ground everywhere and
beat them by increased majorites if we
but make the effort.