Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1908-04-07
In Defence of William T. Haines.

Reprinted by request, from the Portland Eek
press Of March 9.
To the Editor Of the Express:
l noticed an editorial in your paper OF
March under the heading of "Republi.
can Success" and reprinted with favor in
the Lewiston Journal on March 4, princi-
pally directed to the candidacy of Hon.
w. T. Haines, of Waterville. In this
you seem to question Mr.. Haines' being
a Republican, and talk about his work
ing for Democratic success and as Gar
guing With Pennell and Other Demo.
Gratis" and you say that she Mr.. Haines)
asked the legislature of Maine by two.
thirds vote to condemn the prohibitory
law and recommend to the people that II
be abrogated and annulled."
You also say: "Four years ago he was
outspoken against the saloon, and daily
now he is telling the people he believes
in the prohibitory law"
As Republican and Prohibitionist
and OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES, who has lived
in Waterville with Mr.. Haines since1SS0,
and been associated with him during all
these years in business and politics and
knowing well his acts and deeds all this
time, want to deny some of these allie.
cations. l want to put you right, and
the public through you, for Mr.. Haines
is entitled, whether we agree with him
upon the question of re-submission OF
not, to the benefit of the truth. He
should not be misrepresented.
We were present at the hearing before
the committee on temperance at which
you say "he asked the legislature OF
Maine by two-thirds vote to condemn
the prohbitory law and recommend to
the people that it be abrogated and an.
nulled'', and we say to you and to the
public through your columns that Mr.
Haines said nothing of the kind, nothing
from which any such differences can be
fairly drawn. His whole argument was
based upon the theory that resubmission
would result in the reaffirmation of the
principles of prohibition in this state,
and also in defence of these principles
and not in opposition to them.
We enclose copy of what he said be-
fore the committee, which he read at
that time, and has since had printed and
widely circulated that people may read
for themselves what he did say. Also,
in connection Herewith, a copy OF his
previous interview of Jan. II, and we
ask you to read both and then tell the
public why you made such a statement
as the above about Mr.. Haines. In all
the long years l have known him, have
never heard him say word in favor OF
the licensed saloon, but always opposed
thereto and in favor of prohibition, aud
we noticed that the Lewiston Journal on
Jan. IS, last, referring to Mr.. Haines'
interview of the previous day, editorially
remarked: "Mr. Haines is sound on the
question of resubmissioD, and may
ask through your columns why such a
change in their attitude in regard to his
views on this subject in the last few
months.
Personally, do not favor resubmission
in any form, but 1t is fair and just to any
Republican candidate for governor that
there should be no misrepresentation OF
their statements and the reasons for their
positions, and especially by Republic
can newspaper.
want to add that Mr.. Pencil, before
the committee on temperance of the last
legislature, following Mr.. Haines' ad-
dress made the severest criticisms of it
of any man who spoke at that hearing,
and If they have ever been in agreement
upon any phase CT the liquor question,
have never known 1t.
Mr.. Pencil argued for license and the
licensed saloon before that committee.
Mr.. Haines argued for resubmission to
satisfy the dtmanls of the people for the
right to vote on that question, urging
that the prohibitory law was sure to be
reaffirmed by that vote, thus aiding and
it. No two arguments
could be more opposed to each other
than was Mr.. Pennell's and Mr.. Haines'.
While we may disagree with Mr..
Haines on the advisability of resubmis-
sion for any reason, no one who knows
him can doubt his loyalty to the Re-
publican party. l wish this statement
to be published in the same paper that
your editorial was published that it may
be read by the same people in justice and
fairness to Mr.. Haines and to the people
who are interested to know about him
and his position on this important ques-
ton. Very truly yours,
HORACE PURINTON.
Toko,r;llo Norch 1Q02