The Somerset reporter., 1898-09-08
A Large Vote Important.

dent. Neither Oh the two leading parties
have had any speakers In the field ex-
cepting In the First congressional dis
trct, the counties of York aid Cumber-
land, where Lord, the Democratic candi-
date for governor, and Mckinney, the
Democratic candidate for congress, have
stumped the district, apparently on their
own motion.
We do not remember that there has
ever been State campaign in Maine
without speaking in every county and in
almost every town in each county, often
with large gatherings, music, process
sions, etc., and we have curiosity to
see what the result will be, Monday
next.
or course we do not expect the large
vote Of two years ago with it's unpreee-
llcan plurality in the State and 2,SU0 in
Somerset county. Those are unfavor-
able figures to reckon gains or losses
from. 1t will be more nearly equitable
to compare the vote of this year with
that of 1894, although that year we had
speaking campaign, and activity on
the part of party committees which has
not obtained this year.
The campaign of 1896 was particularly
one of speeches, and printed arguments
in documents and newspapers. In this
one county IS speeches were delivered in
30 towns by 26 different speakers.
Nearly one ton of congressional docu-
ments were sent out by the member of
the State committee in this county.
The great issue was the financial ques-
ton and it was discussed as never before
in this State. The verdict in this State
was emphatic and overwhelming and
ought TO have been conclusive, but was
not.
This year the Democratic party re-
affirmed the Chicago platform which de-
clsred for free Compulsory coinage of
silver and gold upon the ratio of 16 to l
and evidently will cling to that insane
theory until it is again defeated in a
presidential campaign. Republicans
have again declared for the principle, of
Of the platform upon which they fought
the great campaign of 1896, and the con-
gressional contests in the November
elections, this year, are likely To be upon
these issues With the sustaining of Presi-
dent Mckinley in the successful prosecu-
ton Of the war with Spain by Repub-
licans.
The campaign in Maine is not without
significance. Oregon and Vermont have
spoken with decisive victories for Re-
publican principles. Maine will go Re-
publican, Monday. 1t is only question
of the size of the majority and the
emphasis of the victory. 1t should
be a full vote, grand victory and we
trust it will be, and thus the Influence
upon the November States be as here.
tofore in full force.
Republicans of Maine should see to it
that there is no falling off of the vote
from that of former years and Republi
cans of Somerset should not be behind In
their expression in favor of sound
money, and in endorsement of President
Mckinley In his exceptionally able adj
ministration of the affairs of government
under exceptionally trying circum-
stances.
The verdict of. Maine in sustaining
President Mckinley, in his wise admins
tration Of affairs of the Nation; our Sem
ators aud representatives in congress, in
the conspicuously able manner in which
they have performed their arduous
duties, and Governor Powers in his wise
and vigorous administration of State
affairs, should be emphatic and we be-
lieve it will be by large Republican
vote on Monday next.