Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-03-06
Not Reasons For Votes
From Republicans.
Sheriff. ayOr-BOss PIaisted
and Non-PariiSans.
A Frank Yet Friendly Discussion Of
Business" and Business.
Editors kennebec Journal:

Editors kennebec Journal:
Some of the non partisans who have
voted in the past for Frederick w Plais-
ted for mayor are troubled over what is
their duty this year
AS a consistent believer in absolute
-partisanship in municipal matters
may be permitted 10 make some sug-
sestions why the non-partisan vote should
be cast for Ira II. Randall even against
the genial and charming sheriT-mayor-
| leader-editor.
First: Mayor Plaisted is using his
place and power as mayor to help him.
self as sheriff in order to strengthen u
partisan machine and re-elect himself to
Sf4O0 county job
| Second: His third election will make
him dominant figure in Democratic
| politics in Mane-something apart from
the question of who should be Mayor.
| Third; Inspired by ambition he has not
| hewn to the line but has permitted and
even approved breaches of the Law OF
the State as shown in the cases of Alder
men who have supplied the city contrary
to law and their oaths. 1t is no defence
to say that this has been Gone before. II
| is wrong and because others may have
been wrong is no justification.
| Fourth: Mayor Plaisted has been dis
| ingenious, He points with pride" to the
| fire department. He does not explain why
he has ignored the representations Of his
own chief engineer as to the condition
| of our one steam fire engine our sole
protection against a confiaSration in case
of trouble with the water works
Is it business to igrOrc the
representations of the chief and
leave the city unprotected? Is it not
| politics to let the city run this great
risk and force q succeeding administra~
ton to spend $1,000 for steamer? What
guarantee is there shat the Sheriff Mayor
will buy steamer while in office?
Fifth: The Mayor is a business officer
the general manager of the Corpora ton
of the City of Augusta. He is supposed
to represent the interests and to protect
1.-The interests of the stockholders, that is
to say the voters of Augusta. Has he
done so? Can he dc so as well as that
able. sterling, successful business man
and trained General Managerial IT
Randall?
Sixth: Mayor Plaisted wants Republi-
can votes, he needs Republican votes, he
must have Republican votes to be elect
ed. In what way save personal graces
and charm of manner has he earned the
right to such votes on a non-partisan is
sue: He used the prestige of his first
election to run for a partisan office.
thereby betravinG the trust of those who
chose him as a business Mayor Either
he is neGlecting his duties as Mayor or
as Sheriff and so confesscs thereby to
~, fit,,nc Cos.
his duties he is taking pay Cii00 from the
county and $500 ut least from the city) for
work he does not do ana is using his
prestige as Mayor Of the Capital City
to feather his nest. Mr.. Randall cones
forward not merely as a Republican but
as business man without political am
billions; without the desire to use the
Mayoralty to give him standing SO no
may draw $4400 from the County.
Seventh: Mayor Piaistcd. so frank and
sincere in social relations. is neither in
| politics. Dare he pledge himself to the
Republicans who must vote for him that
| if elected Mayor he will not be a candi-
| date for Sheriff on 4 partisan ticket: vii!
| not use his office to build up n Demo-
cratic machine; will not use his triumph
in National politics to the benefit of his
party OF himself? OF course he will net
make such a pledge.
Therefore, he is running on q partisan
ticket FOR partisan purposes trying to
| befog the issue by saying his is "busi-
| ness movement against politics
Such nsincerty for political and par
tisan purposes from q man naturally sin
cere deserves a severe rebuke.
1
| Every Republican. every nOn-na rtisan
and every man who wants q real business
administration should vote on Monday
| for Ira II. Randall.
| Respectfully yours.
NON-PARTISAN.