Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-08-23
NEED OF WORK.
The Danger Of Over Confidence Chairman
Manley Tells Why Maine Republicans
Should Be Up and Doing.

The following interview with Hon. j.
II. Manley of this city. appeared in
Wednesdays Boston Herald:
The Hon J. Fl. Manley, chairman of
the Republican State committee and a
member of the Republican national
committee. arrived home from New
York. last Friday, and has passed most
of the time since at his cottage at Small
Point. He will leave for New York
again, tomorrow morning, to be absent
several days.
This afternoon he gave a Boston Her.
aid correspondent the interview which
follows. in relation to the opening of
the campaign in this State and the
prospective outlook regarding the result
of the State election, which will take
place, Sept. 10:
In the 20 years that / have been
connected with the Republican organ
ization in this State" said Mr. Manley,
Il have never witnessed such overcon-
fidence and apathy as now exists in
the Republican ranks. Because the adj
ministration of President Mckinley has
been successful and the commercial
and business interests of Maine so
prosperous, the last three years. people
take it for granted that President Nc
kinley is to be reelected without an
effort. They feel 50 well satisfied with
the Republican administration that
they do not stop to contemplate that
any one can differ with them.
This is most serious condition, and
not healthy one. Overconfidence is
dangerous partner. 1t exists, | regret
to say, throughout the country While
| have firm faith that the Republican
party will triumph in November they
cannot win this fight unless they are
aroused to the conditions which they
must meet, and fight the contest as if
it depended upon the casting of every
vote.
The contest can be lost The battle
can be turned against the Republicans
if they are Indifferent and do not do
the work that is necessary to be done
do not impress upon the voters of the
country the absolute necessity of poll
ing in every precinct in the land the
largest. vote possible for the Republican
candidates.
The only way to win political fight
is to go into the contest as if the result
depended upon every man doing his ut
most for the success OF his ticket. We
can win this fight if we only thor
oughly understand what we must do
and what we have to overcome Be
lieving thoroughly in these principles
the State committee is trying to arouse
the Republicans Of Maine to the i'm
portance of a full vote in Maine on the
10th of September next"
The committee realizes that il will
be impossible to give the overwhelmin,
majority that was given in Maine four
years ago. That resulted from the com
plete and perfect surrender of the Dem
ocratic party in Maine. For the first
time in the history of the State since
the Republican party came into power,
in 1856, the Democratic party threw the
smallest vote ever cast in a Presiden-
tial year. The normal Democratic vote
in Maine in Presidential years has been
about $4,000, running as high. in 1880.
as %. 1l3, but in 1896 it sumped to 81
$50
The largest Republican vote eve,
cast in Maine in a Presidential year
prior 10 1896, was in 1883. when it reach
ed 79.451, but four years ago it reached
high water mark and was s2.596.
The committee does not expect a
majority this year of more than 20, 600
and il realizes that the Democratic
press throughout this land will make a
joyous cutlery over the result and in
dulge in predictions Of Dem lcratic sue
cess next November. 1t will not mean
what they will claim. 1t will simply
mean that the Democrats who refused
to vote four years ago have in large
,1Nsg..a Il
with their party. 1t will be solely and
entirely due - the fact that the Dem
ocratic vote will reach nearly its nor
NAL condition. IT comes about. too, be
cause 50 many Democrats feel that the
Republicans viii triumph in, Novembe~,
and they want to get back into their
standing in the Democratic organiza-
ton
Many Of them openly say that four
years ago we knew the election of
Bryan would be injurious to the coun-
try. Now if he is elected he can do no
harm. because the Senate will remain
Republican,"
Are the Democrats making any ef-
fort to get out their vote?"
The Democratic party in Maine s
alive, well organized, making every eff
fort to poll the largest vote possible.
They Will not have as many speakers
upon the stump. as the Republicans,
but their canvass is being carried on in
4 quiet way. and the faithful are urg-
gn every Democrat to be sure and
vote"
Are the Republicans doing as much
work in Maine as in New Hampshire?''
Yes, the Republicans are making a
vigorous and open campaign. We shall
have in every city and town in the State
two or more public meetings. addressed
by distinguished public orators from the
various sections of the country with a
corps Of able local speakers.
Senators Frye and Hale Representa-
tives Littlefield and Allen will speak ev-
cry night during the campaign. We shall
he aided by Senators Davis of Minnesota.
Lodge of Massachusetts. Burrows of
Michigan, Fairbanks of Indiana, Repre-
sentatives Grosvenor of Ohio, Mccall of
Massachusetts,. Kerr of Ohio. Russell of
Connecticut. Moody of Massachusetts,
Fowler Of New Jersey, and Foss of Chi
cago.
In addition. the Hon. John Barrett
President Cleveland's minister to Siam,
Gov. Atkinson Of West Virginia. J. Hamp-
ton Hoge of Virginia, Gen. Adam L.
King of Maryland. the Hon. Charles EN-
DRY Smith, postmaster general the Hon |
Willard Rowland of Chelsea, Benjamin