Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-09-07
SITUATION IN MAINE
Four Parties Have Candidates
for Governor.
APATHY DISAPPEARED
LARGE AND ENTHUSIASTIC Po-
LITICAL MEETINGS.
Each Side Endeavoring to Poll Heavy
Vote-Democratic Factions Re
garded as United

PORTLAND Me- September g. 1904.
The political situation in Maine differs
materially from that of Vermont, in that
there is much more enthusiasm among the
voters. Maine will vote on the 18th for
governor members of both branches of
the legislature and four representatives.
The state goes along without a lieutenant
governor and the secretary of state and
other similar officials are chosen by the
legislature
Four parties have made nominations for
governor. William T. Cobb of Rockland is
the republican candidate and Mayor Cyrus
W. Davis of Waterville the democratic.
The prohibition ticket is headed by Nathan
F. Woodbury. of Auburn. and the socialist
standa rd bearer is Wilbur G. Hapgood of
Skowhegan.
All the present Maine representatives
have been renominated. and, with the ex-
cepton of Mr.. Powers, appear to be having
things pretty much their own way in their
respective districts. Mr. Powers is sharply
antagoniZed. the democrats charging that
he passes more time in Massachusetts, than
is becoming in one assumed to represent an
eastern Maine district Mr.. Powers mad
plurality of S.J91 two years ago. To de-
feat any of the republican candidates for
Congress the democrats will have to make
gains that will be phenomenal Mr.. AL
lens plurality in 1902 q 30 Mr.. Little
fields 5ljS and Mr.. Burleighs 1,5S1
John F. Hill, the present governor, had
plurality of - 4gu in 1902 polling TO $50 to
s. :i49 for his opponent. At that election the
prohibitionists cast 4I36 votes and the So
ciaists 9Ii. There are some local quar-
rels among the republicans, notably in
Cumberland county. where the enforcement
of prohibition is an issue. These quarreis
will have no appreciable effect on the state
ticket other than to draw out the full vote
Disappearance of Apathy.
The apathy which was so marked ten
days ago is rapidly disappearing. Secre-
tary Taft had an audience of 5000 at Port
land and other speakers are now having
large and enthusiastic audiences. Half
fare rates have been secured on the rail-
roads IN the four northern New England
stat es and both the leading parties are
sending tickets to absent voters. There
seems an abundance of campaign funds for
this and other incidental expenses. Not
only are the party workers striving to get
out the home vote, but they are securing
Massachusetts, New Hampshire and YER
mont for voters who are qualified to vote
in Maine The usual campaign charges and
counter charges are heard and both parties
are processing poverty and accusing the
opposition of having a large campaign fund.
1t is reasonably certain that the national
committees have recognized the importance
of the vote of Maine at the state election,
and are giving considerable aid Demo-
cratic leaders in the state, after eight years
of certain rest from official labor under
Bryan, now profess to see some prospect
of being calico upon to serve their country,
and with a post office appointment in view
are making themselves conspicuous in party
work. This has it's effect in arousing the
republican workers, and also the voters of
both parties.
Democrats Probably United
William Simpson of Bangor, chairman of
the republican state central committee is
very conservative in his estimates. He does
not see any detection from Parker among
the Bryan democrats. and looks for a con-
siderable increase of the democratic vote,
because he does not believe the elections of
1896 and 1900 represented normal condi-
lions. He believes there is this year a
union of democratic forces on Cyrus Davis,
democratic candidate for governor, COM
parable only TO the situation in the year
of President Clevelands second election
and he is making his calculations upon that
general basis. This is probably an esti-
tie for public consumption safely on the
safe side.
Reciprocity with Canada here as in Yer
mont, is not popular. and is not an issue.
1t is ridiculed as an attempt of few dem
ocratic manufacturers of Boston to trade
away the life of the New England farmer
for their own gain. Democratic orators do
not refer to it, and the republicans do not
consider it possibility or an issue. Many
French Canadians who have crossed the
border and become American citizens for
the commercial advantages to be gained
thereby vote in Maine and vote republican
Reciprocity with Canada is not popular
with them. For the democrats to espouse
1t in Maine would be d serious bunder
A Large Vote Expected.
Each side is endeavOrng to conceal its
real effort There is no doubt that each
sic. expects to poll very large vote, and
it is difficult to calculate pluralities with
any degree of certainty Personal work
in getting out the vote is relied upon con-
siderably more than stump speaking and
flag rasings. In this line of activity the
republicans have the advantage There
are many otfice-holders all over the state
and their efforts the more sincere and
earnest because in working for republican
success they are really working for them
selves
On the other hand. the democratic Or
gHnlZation is the best the state has had
Tor twelve years, but it lacks the direct
incentive that actuates the local leaders
OF the republicans. Doubtless it will do
effective work, but in thoroughness il can
hardly rival the other organization
II may be seriously asserted however
that the action of the St. Louis convention
mas served TO unite the two wings of the
democratic Party in this state and that
inns union Is unexpectedly complete BRYAN
hau considerable personal following
mere ana Hearst had a majority of the
state DELEGATION no ma