The Republican journal., 1904-01-14
A NEWSPAPER DEAL
And the Influence 1t May Have in Main.
Politics.
From the Bath Daily Times. ]

FROM CDG bdIu Ddlly lIleS.
Authoritative announcement was
made last week, not only of the &C
QUESTION of the Portland Press, to
which we have already referred, by a
new corporation controlled by Hon.
Joseph H. Manley and his friends, but
of the further requirement by the
same gentlemen of the Portland Ad-
vertiser, which it is expected will soon
issue from the same plant with its
morning contemporary. This informa-
ton is interesting from a purely jour
nalistic standpoint, inasmuch as it is
expected that both newspapers will be
improved and their already high stan
dards as puryeyors of the news and
moulders of opinion surpassed, but far
more so on account of the political
significance of the transaction, involv-
ing the Governorship of the State and
the representation of Maine in the
United States Senate.
Hon. Joseph H. Manley, as we have
new corporation. Mr.. Manley is can
said to have Senatorial aspirations.
The Press was his most outspoken and
persistent opponent and by purchase
he has made that sheet his leading and
influential advocate. The head Of the
new company is Hon. Henry B. Cleaves,
former Governor who is still power
in Maine politics and who is credited
with desire to supersede Hon. Eugene
Hale as United States Senator. The
control Of two of the most influential
organs in Maine by these gentlemen
can be easily seen to be worthy of
more than a passing thought.
1t is not generally believed that Man.
ley can be the next Governor, but it is
said that if he becomes convinced that
such is the case he will throw the
weight of his by no means unconsid-
cradle influence for Hon. Charles II.
Prescott of Biddeford, who is also in
the field, and against Hon. William T.
Cobb of Rockland, who is the choice of
oagadahoc County and all this section
of Maine and who has been generally
selected as the probable successor Of
Governor Hill. A contemporary as
serted the other day that the Times
has been up to this time the only daily
in the State openly backing Cobb. We
do not expect to be alone in this regard
long, and when the time comes the pop
ular Rocklander will scarcely lack plen-
ty OF newspaper support. Many in
t1uential weekiies have been for him
since his candidacy was announced
cleanliness and honesty, admire his
q hi1itv on6 ho1iaua fhat Maip
not honor more deserving son with
the Governorship. Such advocacy can
not fail to have more weight than that
purchase, and when it comes to the
ballot, the considerations which have
actuated the Times will operate in the
conventions and at the polls, where
money, although it has some influence,
is by no means an equal antagonist
for personal popularity or honest con-
victiOn.
AS for the Senatorship, many con-
slider that it is undesirable to make
any change, SO long as Hale and Frye
are able and willing to continue their
valuable services. Leaving personal
considerations out of the question, it
muSG VI dutulIJeu llldC Maine s 1nlu-
ence in the councils of the nation rests
chiefly on the shoulders of these stall
wart parliamentary veterans. Norman,
whatever his abilities, could hope to
achieve except in years the influence
welded in Washington by the present
Maine Senators. Names prestige in
the House, though it is DO doubt being
gradually recovered, is not and cannot
be expected to be soon what it was be-
fore the great quartette composed of
Reed, Dingley, Milliken and Boutelle
began to break up. Since, therefore,
we have in the Senate two men who
are among the most honored by and
influential among their colleagues, it
would seem decidedly inexpedient to
dispense with the services of either so
long as their estimable service is to be
had. Both, unfortunately, are getting
along in years, and the interference Of
Nature to retire them is all too immi-
! nent, though it may yet be delayed
some years. Perhaps the reported as
pirations of Manley and Cleaves con-
Germ only the time when Maine shall
be forced to choose new Senator. We
hope that that is the case, although
either of them, without doubt, is we'll
equipped for the Senatorial duties and
dignities.