The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1902-04-03
THE CAMPAIGN OF 1904.

He CGmFAt0N UT I9O4.
After many years of political quiet,
during which the state has prospered
we have entered upon what promises
TO be al acrimonious campaign, and
one which may be fraught with dan.
ger to the party which has so long
ccntluIied the destlnies of the state.
The Republican State Convention
vll,h meets in Portland next June
viii dominate Governor Hill by ac-
eamat,uu for his second term, and
its action will be endorsed by the PEG,
ple Willie the Democrats would natur-
ally prefer to have a man of their own
political faith III the Gubernatorial
chair. they recognize in Governor Hill
AN able and honest executive, who has
administered the affairs of the State in
the interest OF all the people There is
No stain upon his private OF official life,
and the opposition to him will be but
peItunctory. HIS reelection viii en-
sure two years more of good govern
meut. Then what!
Tie campaign now fairly under way
has for its object the Gubernatorial
nomination in 1904. 1t has already
stirred the state from kittery to
Quoddy given hope to our opponents
and threatened division in our own
ranks. Ii began with the announce
ment of Hon. Joseph II. Manley of
Augusta that he was a candidate for
She Gubernatorial nomination in 1904
One Of the letters he wrote to promi-
nent politicians asking their support,
brought out an open letter from MI
George c. Hopkins Of Portland, pub
lished in the Portland Press and edi-
tonanE endorsed by that paper. This
letter made serious charges against
Manley, 1t is not necessary to specify
them HOW. At this writing they remain
unanswered. One paper suggests that
'by-gones ought to be by-gones," and
another speaks of these charges as a
mouldy chestnut" But Will our Dem
ocfatic opponents he equally forbearing
and throw the mantle OF charity over
the past? We fear not 1t would be
strange indeed If they did not make
use of the matera! Republicans have
placed at their disposal
Tie literature of the campaign is al
ready yoluminous, and it is difficult for a
weekly newspaper to keep up with it.
MI Marley is contributing nothing over
his own signature, but alleged inter
views with him appear daily and must
be accepted as authentic, although
there is danger that they may be dis
credited, wholly OF i'll part. The sins
OF the politician are often visited upon
the head OF the newspaper reporter The
monkey and cat performance has fire.
quent repetitions. For the present,
however, we must accept the declara-
tons in the Geographic columns of the
newspapers concerning Mr.. Manley's
intentions as inspired by him. In com
mon with many others we had thought
that the GoveInorship was not the real
end Mr.. Manley had i'll view, and were
thus quite ready to accept the explana-
ton furnished by the Bath Times, that
the candidacy Of the Hon. Joseph II.
Manley for the Govemorship is only a
subtle bit of strategy. that MI Manley
does not really want to be Governor
OF Maine or expect to win THAT honor,
hut that lie does want to be United
states Senator for Maine. and is cover
ing up a still hunt for that exalted of
tce with an Ostensible fight for the
Governors chair etc. Mr.. Maney
denies this, and says he is a candidate
tor the nomination for Governor in
IN 1904, and is i'll the fight to stay. And
further, that he is and has been a loyal
supporter of Senator Hale. Another
contribution to the literature of the
campaign IS al Augusta special to the
Portland Press concerning an alleged
conference between Hon. Joseph II.
Manley of Augusta and Hon. William
/. tobb OF ROckland-an interview of
MI Manley's seeking-in which Mr..
Cobb was first asked to withdraw from
The campaign, and, declining, was then
asked if he, Manley, would withdraw
at this time, Mr.. Cobb would promise
the support Of himself and friends
when lie was through with the office.
This brought an equally decided mega
tlVe. This report. if true is highly
ereditable to Mr.. Cobb, who said he
should prefer to lose rather than to
withdraw when so many had accepted
ms candidacy in good faith
II. as now appears We are to have two
candidates Ill the field in 1904, there will
be ample time to compare the qualiiica-
tons of the candidates. The lime-li~ht
OF publicity will be turned upon them,
they will have to face the criticism of
Their political opponents, and they will
be weighed i'll the balance by our sturdy,
God-fearing Maine people.
The Grand Lodge of Good Tempars
meets i'll Waterville April 9th and 10th.
They will of course reflect their
veteran and efficient Grand Secretary.
George E. Bracket Of Belfast, who