Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1904-08-30
Cobb and LittlefieId.
A GOOD MEETING ADDRESSED BIZ
THEM AT THE FAIR GROUNDS.

The first Republican meeting of thu
campaign in this section was held a
the fair grounds Friday afternoon, ant
was addressed by Hon. William T. Cobt
Of Rockland, Republican candidate fol
governor. and Hon. Charles E. Little
field of Rockland, representative in con
gress from this district.
Although many who might have at
tended an evening meeting were unable
to be present in the afternoon, number
estimated at more than thousand were
seated on the grand stand when the
meeting opened shortly after 2 O'Clock.
The Norway Cadet Band, stationed in
the judges stand, played several first.
class selections. A stand for the speak
ers had been erected immediately in
front of the grand stand, and as both
audience was able to hear them without
difficulty.
Hon. John A. Roberts of Norway pre-
sided, and with brief remarks first intro
duced Mr.. Cobb, who spoke for some
twenty minutes. Mr.. Cobb's manner
and speech are straightforward and
frank, and he made good impression
upon his audience.
Mr.. Cobb said at the outset that he
would not discuss national issues,
though the state election has an influence
upon the national campaign. But by
paying too much attention to that We
may lose sight of important state issues.
The Republican party should welcome
discussion along those lines. The
Democrats are seeking to make an issue
of the Republican administration of
state affairs We do not accuse them
of falsehood, but we do charge them
with half statement of facts.
The platform of the Republican party,
adopted at Bangor, presents three i'm
portant issues. In the first place, as
our opponents say, it points with
pride" to its accord in the state admins
tration. Why should it not? 1t is true,
as the Democrats say, that expenditures
have increased, but the expenditures of
the people generally have increased,
and if the money has been well spent,
who has any complaint to make?
Seventy eight per cent of the amount of
the state tax is expended for educational
purposes. Who finds fault with that?
1t is said that Maine is going behind.
The savings banks, with an increase in
number of depositors in twenty years
from $4,000 to over 100000, and in
aggregate of deposits from S29, 200, 900
to s75, 900, coo, tell different story.
Again, it is said that the burden of
taxation rests heavily on the smaller
towns. But of the SO towns and cities
in the state, 254, mostly of the smaller
towns, received back from the state in
1908 more than they paid in state taxes.
The next important plank is the
abolition of the fee system. The party
is pledged to that, and there is no need
to spend any time upon it.
hibitory law. Men may and do differ as
to the wisdom of the law. They can
not differ as to the propriety and duty
of enforcing the law while it is on the
statute book. If the prohibitory law
is as we'll enforced as other laws, reason
able men will be satisfied.
Mr.. Cobb expressed himself very
forcibly on this point, declaring that he
stood on the Republican plank; that he
believed that plank meant just what it
said; and promised that if he was elect
ed, every legal right and every proper
influence that belongs to the office
should be used by him to enforce the
law.
Congressman Littlefield was next in