Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1903-03-24
their lives to be governor for one month
that he swore vigorously.


the tools he had to use. Within twenty.
four hours Sam was visited by half q
dozen Johnsonville politicians, among
them two or three friends of Holcomb
These he instructed to win Holcomb
around Immediately. 1T isn't every day
that the nomination for governor comes
knocking at mans door," said Sam
BESIDES, you can tell him it won't hurt
his business any to have had the title of
governor You want to start at him
right off, too. because the Culberson fel-
lows from here will lie over right away
to see what he will do. You've got an
early start. and you want to keep 60
ing"
Sam Wilson was right. After think
ing the matter over couple of days
| the Culbcrson circle decided to ap-
proach Holcomb to learn his position.
They found him still undecided and, in
spite of the assaults of his friends, still
with a leaning to decline. which they
hoped to encourage.
The Johnsonville men In the mean-
time posted back to Wilson in alarm.
Hes obstinate" said one Of them.
"He says he can't afford it. 1t will
cost him $4,000 year out Of the
business and heaven knows how much
| more. and he never was much on lux
uries."
"What If 1t does" said Sam. "He
can afford it, can't he? Now, tell
you what I'd do if were in this thing.
I'd get the people started. The peo-
pie want Holcomb, or they will want
him, and it's about time they were
heard from. You go over and get up
rousing citizens meeting in John
sonville and let him hear from 1t.
That's what I'd do"
The politicians set off Immediately
and the citizens meeting was brought
off the first night the village band had
an open date. There was a crowd
brought out in one way and another,
and q delegation of leaders was chosen
to present the call of the people. The
| Herald announced the next morning
that in the light of such demonstra-
ton from the heart Of the people there
could be no doubt that any hesitancy
which Mr. Holcomb might have felt
about accepting the nomination would
be overcome, and quoted Latin to prove
| II. No man could afford to disregard
| such call.
| But the Johnsonville men were still
In doubt about their man. He was or
Scotch-Irish brand, which dislikes to
be driven.
Send him over to consult with me,
II you want to-" said Wilson. Hes
been here before"
Finally they induced Holcomb to drop
in, and for solemn period of three cl'
gars the glass door was closed while
| the two men talked it over. Wilson be-
gan with congratulations and contin-
ued with the air of man who sees re-
sistance impossible.
"When q man has the governorship
| thrown ut him like bouquet" he said.
"he can't afford to refuse to pick 1t up.
Personally look at all these things as
disinterested party, but it's mighty
important for you not to make a false
move here"
but, good Lord, Wilson," said Hol.
comb, Imagine me trying to make
| speech"
1--WE don't want you as an orator.
We want you to work. You can say
how-de-do, and we'll get an oratorical
lieutenant governor to do the talking"
Holcomb went out In state Of sub.
mission, and in the morning the Herald
officially announced that Mr.. Holcomb
would certainly stand for the homina-
tion for the governorship.
"He Is the man for the place" 1t said.
"The people have demanded him.
Such modern methods Of political
warfare were too much for the Culber'
son coteria They were overwhelmed In
the beginning in dignified defeat. Aft.
er his first rebuff Governor Culberson
could not be induced to have Wilson
approached in any way in his interest.
81 refuse, sir" he said when urged
repeatedly, "to have any communica-
tion whatever with that poltroon, that
dirty scribbler. sir"
Hence it came about that his name
was entirely ignored in the campaign
for the nomination, and as 1t was nev-
er once brought before the people to
any extent the people naturally did not
| consider it In spite Of the many insin-
uations of his personal friends that he
could be persuaded to run. 1t Is not a
time when the people arise unassisted.
and whatever popular uprising there
was favored Holcomb. He was a sue
cessful business man, an employer OF
many people, and on the whole kind
one, and hs had the powerful reputa-
ton of "bottomless barreT with the
politicians.
The campaign for the nomination
went on with a rush. The northern
end of the state soon swung into line
for our man, and the metropolitan
press there was full of such phrases as
"a captain of industry" "a man Of en-
ergy and decided character" and "a
power in financial circles" There were
progressive enthusiasm and pride IN
our own section.
Very few Of us now noticed the tall,
gaunt figure that did not rejoice at our
feast. For few days after he realized
that his case was hopeless Governor
Culberson remained at his home, partly
because he was physically Frustrated
by the blow and partly because he
thought the eyes Of every one In the
streets would be on him in pity and
scorn. As matter Of fact, people did
not think of him at all further than to
understand in a general way that he
was sick. When he did drive out again.
they noticed how much changed he was
by his illness. Indeed, 1t was almost
startling. His face had lost its color, ano
there were little quaver in his voice
and an uncertainty in his step which
had never been there before. His
Spring Medicine
There is no other season when good
medicine is 30 much needed as In the
Spring.