The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1904-08-11
REPUBLICAN COUNTY CONVENTION
A Large and Harmonious Gathering. A
Strong Ticket Nominated. Speech by
Hon. VIM. T. Cobb.

! Hon. VIM. T. Cobb.
The Republican county convention, held
in the court house in Belfast Saturday,
August 9Th, was one of the largest and most
spirited ever held in this county. The
court room was well filled with delegates
and interested spectators, and although
there were sharp contests on two of the
nominations the best of feeling prevailed
among the candidates and delegates. All
went into the convention with the feeling
that whoever won they would go into the
campaign and work for the success of the
general ticket.
| The convention was called to order at
1915 a. m. by Hon. Geo. E. johnson, chair
man of the county committee. Prayer was
offered by Rev. }. W. Hatch of Belfast.
Ellery Bowden, Esq, of Winterport was
chosen temporary chairman and made an
opening address in which he reviewed in a
brief and comprehensive manner the
record of the Republican party in Waldo
county and the State of Maine. Ten years
ago, he said, the Republicans resumed con-
trol of Waldo county, after several years of
Democratic rule. In December, 1898, there
were lo5 prisoners in Jail, and one month
later, Republican sheriff and board of
county commissioners had succeeded in
reducing the number to II. The county was
| in debt to its full legal limit and there were
| floating debts aggregating $1,000 or more
In the ten years that have since elapsed an
extension has been built to the court house,
law library has been fitted up and sup
| Piled with the latest books, fire proof vaults
have been provided for the records of the
Supreme and Probate Courts and Registry
OF Deeds, the debt has all been paid and the
county tax reduced nearly one-half Dem
ocrats claim that there has not been
sufficient enforcement of certain laws, but
voters should look back and compare the
condition today with what it was when the
Democrats had the enforcing of those laws.
1t is our duty to investigate this, as we'll as
the charge that there has been an increase
in State taxes. Compare 1882 and 1902 In
1882 the rate of State tax was Al mills; in
1902 it was p mills. Waldo county's State
tax in 1882 was $43, ,l6S.SS, in 1902 it was
S26.S00.0O, reduction of S16,36S.Ss What
0SiiNAA1
this State tax? She receives back, from the
State for common schools, free high schools,
State roads, State pensions, 60 per cent.
more than she pays out in State taxes AS
to the claim that the rate of taxation has
been reduced by increasing the valuation,
it is true the valuation of the State has
been increased, but it is bona fide increase
in value in summer resorts such as Bar
Harbor, new manufacturing places like
Rumford Falls, Millinocket, etc., and in an
increased valuation placed on wild lands
held unimproved by rich spectators for
speculative purposes. Who will say that
this is not right? Mr.. Bowden then re-
ferred to National issues, showing that the
present Expansion" policy of President
Roosevelt is identical with the policy pur-
sued by President Jefferson i'll regard to
all the present territory of the United
States west of the Mississippi river. That
territory was transferred from France to
the United States and the people living
there were not asked to give their consent.
In fact the act created great opposition at
the time, but no one now questions the
wisdom of the policy. With Roosevelt and
Fairbanks at the head, and with William
7. Cobb leading the forces in Maine, the
issues of this campaign can be safely sub
mitted to the people.
Sidney c. Thompson of Winterport, John
S. Fernald of Belfast and John c. Carey of
Montville were chosen secretaries
The county committee was made COM
mittee on credentials. They subsequently
reported a full delegation present from
every town, total of So delegates.
On motion of c. O. Poor of Belfast the
temporary organization was made perma-
nent.
The following were appointed commit
tee on resolutions: Albert Peirce, Frank
| fort n. D. Ross, Lincolnville NJ. T. Dodge,
! Troy.
| Hot. VIM. I. Cobb of Rockland, Repub-
| lcan nominee for Governor of Maine, then
entered and was greeted with hearty cheers
and calls for speech. Mr. Cobb opened
by stating that he should confne himself to
State issues and not discuss national mat
tiers except incidentally. The country looks
to Maine to sound in September the key
note of the national campaign. State issues
should appeal to our citizens first of all. If
those issues need defense we should defend
them; if they need explanation we should
explain them; if they need our moral sup
port we should give it. If there are abuses
we should acknowledge them and try to
correct them. We should strive first of all
for good citizenship. If we cannot stimu-
late the reasoning voter to act with US we
deserve to fail. We welcome discussion
because we thoroughly believe in the prin-
ciples of the Republican party. The Re-
publican party stands for the abolishment
of the fee system. That system has grown
to be an abuse and we propose to abolish
it. The Democrats have an able and &C.
e0mplished gentleman for their nominee,
who will do all in his power to awaken the
dormant Democratic vote in the State. |
do net question his sincerity, but l do ques-
tion those who say that the Republican
! party is made up of office holders ard Office
seekers. The people of the State will be
better satisfied, in my judgment, by con-
tinuing the Republican party in power.
The Republican party stands for the i'm
partial enforcement of the laws favoring
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