New-York tribune., 1906-09-12
MAINE VOTE PLEASING.
A DEFEAT FOR GOMPERS.
Little Danger for Others He Op-
poses. ObserUers Think.
fFrom The rrihuns Rureau.l


Washington. Sept 11.-Republioans in Wash
ington are disposed 20 regard the results Of yes
terdsy's election in Maine with entire compla-
cency. Despite bitter contest over prohibition.
which produced intense antagonisms and ap-
psrently estranged most OF the municipalities.
the Republicans carried the state by a comfort
able majority. while the fight made by Samuel
Gompers. president Of the American Federation
Of Labor. against Representative Littleheld ap-
pears 70 have failed utterly. In this respect
the Republicans find occasion for the utmost
satisfaction. They declare that had IL been pos
sible for a labor organization representing only
a small percentage Of the labor vote Of the
country. 20 defeat member OF the House ~
Mr.. L1ttleheld's unquestioned probity and abil-
fty because he refused on strictly conscientious
grounds. 20 support certain legislative meas
ures which it favored. Il would have eonsti-
tuted a menace 20 the freedom Of every member
Of the House
From the somewhat incomplete returns thus
far received. however. IL appears that despite
the unlimited eloquence and abundant cash
which Gompers and his Federation expended 10
defeat Mr. Idttleheld he ran as well as the rest
of his ticket. and while his majority was ma
terially reduced. il appears TO have been not
more than that of Representative Amos Allen.
against whom no labor fight made II Is
well known that Mr Littleheld is not a diplomat
and that he had made some bitter enemies
among the large corporations I'm his district. SO
that the opposition was not confined 10 the la
boring classes and the Democrats. but included
some influential Republicans In these circum-
stances IL is regarded as all the more surprising
that Gompers and hts allies succeeded in doing
SO little damage in the "a District.
The labor people IN Washington declare they
see in Mr.. Lhttleheld's reduced plurality great
victory for Gompers. but il is regarded as GER
tain that on closer analysis Of the vote in Maine
they viii come 10 realization OF the fact that
the Federation OF Labor "cut little ice in the
district Of Representative Littlefeld. and that
the results offer little encOura cement for any
part in the districts OF the thirty-seven other
members Of the House who have been marked
for slaughter by the bloodthirsty head Of the
organization.
conditions in Maine and capable Of analyZing
the returns that the attempt Of the labor people
10 into Maine and defeat a Republican
representative was evidently vigorously resented
by the farmers and that they outdid themselves
IN getting 10 the polls and casting their ballots
for the whom they knew TO be the proposed
victim OF his own conscience and the advocates
Of class legislation. IL the efforts Of the Fedora
tion OF Labor produce this effect throughout the
country. IL is argued. the Federation will do
members OF Congress other than those who are
elected by a strictly urban vote more good than
harm by its opposition
Among those who are Mr.. GOmpers's black
list are Representatives Sherman, Parsons Per
chuseSts; Lilly and Hill. Of Connecticut, and a
large number Of others in whom their respective
communities have the utmost faith. but the Re
pubicans here-and there are no more close
men have nothing 20 fear from the opposition OF
the Federation OF Labor.