The Somerset reporter., 1902-08-14
Not An Off Year.


A gentleman made the remark in our
hearing few days ago, that this is an
off year In politics and the vote In Maine
is liable to be not only small but mixed.
1t occurs to US that it is not an off
year. To be sure 1t is not presidential
year but there are just as many officers
to vote for in September, State, County
and Congressional as In a year when
presidential electors are chosen In Nov
ember, and this election is fully as i'm
portant as those of presidential years.
Congres3men are TO be elected In every
State in the Union and of course the
political status of the next Congress de-
ponds upon the result. The election
following the Inauguration of a Presi-
dent has usually been critical one. To
great extent it determines the attitude
of the country toward the administra-
ton in power, and the opposition party
makes determined efforts to elect their
congressman to discredit this admins
ready at work with terrible earnestness
to accomplish this task this year, and
have as usual figured out a majority of
Democratic members for the next Con-
gress. They usually claim everything
before election but there Is little
doubt but what many are sanguine of
success, this time.
Maine is one of the first states to vote
and the country looks northward and
will watch eagerly for news from our
election, September eighth. There is
no doubt about the election of the Re-
publican nominees for governor, con-
gressmen, large majority Of mem bers
of both houses of the legislature and
nearly all the county officers. The ques-
ton Is only upon the size of these plura-
lities. 1t is not reasonable to expect
they will be as large as those in recent
years where the Democratic party was
divided and demoralized to the extent
that elections almost went by default,
and these pluralities will be unfortunate
ones from which to reckon gains or
losses. These figures are hard ones for
comparative purposes, and ought not
to be so used without the unusual cir
cumstances being taken into account and
due allowance being made.
There is positive proof that Maine De.
mocrats are carefully laying their plans
to increase their vote in order to make a
showing that shall discredit Republicans
by reducing their former maorities.
They are making tremendous efforts to
cut down the majority of Gov. Hill for
the sake of the influence 1t may have up.
on other States. Losses or gains are
usually figured upon the governor vote,
and hence the Importance that Republ-
cans do not allow this vote to be cut
down through the mistaken theory that
it is an off year aud that it makes no
difference. 1t does make difference in
its influence upon the cause in other
States as we'll as upon the Republican
party in our own State.
Another consideration is that the re-
suit of the congressional election of 1902
has its effect upon the presidential cleo
ton of 1904. In a way 1t is the first
battle between the opposing forces that
must come together in the flercer, con-
elusive battle of two years later for the
4 II
battle of 1902 be won by Republicans
1t gives them vantage ground for the
great engagement of 1904. Maine is on
the skirmish line, post of honor, and
will hold her position as she has hereto
fore done, at all hazard, and Somer SET
county will stand shoulder to shoulder
liminary fight, September Sth.