Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-10-13
Mr.. Simpson Quits the Helm.
(Bangor NeWS.)

tbuil6oi ANS"e'|
1t is very fortunate that the Re-
publican party of Maine holds a large
number of able men having executive
talents. Otherwise the resignation of
Hon. +. M. Simpson from the chair
manship OF the Republican State COM
mittee would be loss that were be-
yond repair. Few people not intimate
with the duties of the Office know how
great was the task which Mr.. Simp-
son assumed when he stepped into the
place that had been held by such re-
nowned leaders as James G. Blaine and
Joseph II. Manley. The task was
doubly hard for Mr.. Simpson, as the
methods of party management had un-
dergone radical changes since the days
of the Civil War. When Mr.. Blaine
and Mr.. Manley were at the party
helm they rallied their followers by is
suing impassioned addresses. and by
claiming almost everything in sight.
Such proclamations were justifiable for
campaign purposes, and were the-meth-
DDS which had been followed by the
leaders of both parties for years. MIR.
Simpson changed the system of maxi
ing political assaults, and brought
party management down to business
methods.
Instead of rallying the members of
his party with Spread-eagle appeals,
Mr.. Simpson worked, and worked until
he was tired. and then he worked some
more, and kept on working. He made
no boasts. He never claimed any
sweeping majorities. Instead. he
placed his figures so conservatively
that even his political foes felt inclined
to credit his assertions. Then, when
the returns came in, and showed great
increase over anything which Mr..
Simpson had claimed. both parties
realized that the Republican leader
was fulfilling mis- promise and more
too.
In the sensational news sense. Mr..
Simpson was not Il man to fill uD the
newspapers with cock -and-bull stories.
He talked frankly and freely with the
reporters from both sides. He gave
out good and sensible Republican
gospel to everybody. but he never made
any political boasts and never said any
word before an election that he wished
to take back after the returns were
counted. He was the most thorough
sitting back at headquarters and re-
Ceiving reports from his lieutenants, he
went out among the voters and talked
with them and to them, and SO inn
pressed them with his candor and SIN
certify that the rank and file on both
sides believed him and trusted him.
We can say Of Mr.. Simpson what can
be said Of very few men in politics, and
that is after acquaintance of years we
have never known him to make
prediction that was not more than full
filled by results. and that we have
never known him to even so much
as try to evade promise he had made.
This is d record very rare in any
business. and almost unique in politics.
Knowing Mr.. Simpson to be a man
of his word the political gossips will
do we'll to accept the reasons which he
assigns for his withdrawal at this time.
He has found that his business inter-
ests will not permit him to devote the
time that is required for performing
the duties as chairman of the COM
mittee Instead of Sinking and in
juring the party. or delegating the task
to slbordinates and accepting the
credit, he has taken a straight and
manly course-the course he has al
ways followed-and rendered his resig-
nation. He will still continue to be a
member of the State committee. and
will continue to work for the lasting
good of the Republican party of Maine.
In doing as he has. he believes that he
is serving the party better than he
could by continuing at the helm with
out devoting nearly all of his time to
political duties. His record as a party
manager is without a flaw. The party
is stronger and more united today than
it has been for years. and whatever of
new triumphs it shall win in the future
will be due in a great measure to the
tact and foresight and unostentatious
labors of F. Marion Simpson. one of
the most honest and upright men in
any party
A