The sun., 1908-06-07

manding rssubmissoa, while the Repub-
licans are divided, and upon this question,
more than ON that of tar reform. depends
the party's choice Of q cannidate.
Early in his campaign Mr. Haines de-
clsred himself In favor OF resubmission Mr.
resubmission. Upon ono side or the other
are arrayed individuals, clubs, societies,
churches business men, educators, Sunday
schools, newspapers, politicians, every IN
terest and influence that exists in Maine
The churches and conferences and Sunday
sohoob have passed resolutions supporting
Mr.. Fernald's position. likewise the tenn,
perance clubs and most OF the professional
temperance agitators, although reoently
one prominent woman prohihitiontst hae
declared in favor Of Mr.. Haince:
The arguments for and against resub-
mission can be briefly stated. Those who
favor resubmission say that In the hrst
place 1t is twenty -five years since the people
have had an opportunity OF expressing
themselves upon the subject, and that In
tnat time conditions have changed and views
may also have changed. Many or most Of
the supporters Of the proposition, includ-
ing Mr. Haines himself say that they believe
In prohibition, and that they are confident
that the people would reafflrm their adher-
ence to the principle, thus establishing tho
law more firmly than ever as a part Of Maine's
political and moral creed, and by taking
the question out Of politics for long term
OF years would make possible and probable
better enforcement Of the law.
Opponents Of resubmission declare that
il is but device Of the enemies of the law
to break down the constitutional barrier
that now protects it from constant assaults
in the Legislature, and that the present
agitation Is merely the first step toward
license, inspired by liquor dealers and
selfish politicians.
peculiar thing about all this discussion
is that it would matter very little which
candidate was chosen as Governor, 40 far
as the settlement OF this question is CON-
cerned. 1t would require two-thirds vote
Of the Legislature tb get the question OF sus-
tanning or repeating the Fifth Amendment
before the people, and 80 the only means Of
accomplishing the referendum is to elect
at least l01 Of the lSl members Of the House
OF Representatives and FL Of the 81 members
Of the Senate fayorable orr tLe1 70 the project ,,
observes that 1t Is the Legislature that
makes and unmakes laws-that the Gov
ernor is the Executive, and that IL elected
he would execute all of the laws to the best
Of his ability. Those seeking reforms he
commends to the legislature,
AT present 875 delegates have been
elected out Of 1923 who are entitled to seats
In the convention, and Of these 875 Fernald
has SOL. Haines 159, Boothby "A, and III
are uninstruoted.
As for the Democrats, their candidate
is already decided upon, although the State
convention will not be held until July is
in Bangor The Democracy has settled
upon Obadiah Gardner Of Rockland, who
for ten years was master of the State
Grange, as their standard bearer In the
Gubernatorial campaign, and it Ia ad-
mitted on all sides that he will make a
strong fight.
He is q temperance man, as he says, by
principle and by habit, but he declared at
the Fourth district convention that he was
not afrtid to submit to the people for their
decision any question Of public policy
whenever there seems to be any great de-
mand for 1t.