Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-07-01
Mr.. MerriII's Speech.

Mayor Irving l.. Merrill of Auburn was
| then introduced and in a speech that was
loudly app!auded he presented the name
Of Bert NJ Fernald Of Poland for Gov
ernor. ie said:
Gentlemen of the Conventions:
The common people. that great mass
of intelligent Republican voters who
loyalty. and with no inducements but a
desire to serve their state and their
party, election after election leave their
daily toll and roll up superb maJorities,
are asking for a candidate of their Sc
lection; a candidate who shall. from
personal knowledge and experience,
know their needs; candidate who, if
elected, will be free to impartially and
thoroughly enforce all laws. without
fear or hesitency. The world today is
demanding a nObler manhood, more
enlightened citizenship, Il more exalted
PATRIOTISM, and into that service, which
shall have for its end the attainment
of these great purposes, let me urge
and invite the Republican party Of this
great State.
We come to you today from the VAL
ley of the AndrOscoggin with candi-
date. who, in our minds, is an ideal
candidate. One who requires no de-
Tense, and for whom we have nc ap0i-
Ogies to offer, because he is before
this convention. The gentleman whose
name 1 have the honor this day to
present to this splendid, intelligent
convention was born 40 years ago in
the town of Poland.
He was not born ir aff1uence or
graded in the Jap of luxury. He was a
farmers soT, and early learned the
lessons of hardships and deprivation
which every tiller of the soil must
know. He now ownes and operates me
of the best farms in the State of Maine
it being tic one where he was born and
on which he learned the first great les
| sons OF industry, frugality, and virtue
which have ever Stree characterized
his life. He WINS educated in the COM
mon schools of his native town and at
Hcoron Academy. He early engaged
in the noble and useful work of teach
ing in which vocation he was eminent
iy successful. He was elected Super
intentent of Schools in his native town
| which important position he filled with
credit to himself and satisfaction to his
toTnSmen.
active and progressive mind On the
farm and in the school-room, he de-
termined to enter the business world
His first venture was in a humble way
but with rare good judgment perse-
verance and sagacity, he rapidly built
up this business until with his assO-
ciates he IS nov doing business IL over
fifty townc in this state and paying to
the farmers more than $200.GtO an
nually for their products. He is also
interested in banking. insurance and
several other lines of business, all of
which have been successful. No fail
ure has ever come to any business
with which he has been associated as
it's manager. He knows the needs of
the common people and what will best
subserve the great agricultural inter-
ests of this state.
He is u large employer of labor, but
beirg always just and liberal he has
never known what it meant TO suffer
from so called labor troubles. His
best friends and most ardent-support-
ers are his employees and the men with
whom he is doing business.
In politics he has always been a
and grandfather before him. IN 1896
he was elected 4 member to the State
LEGISLATURE from the class towns of
Poland an;, Durham. In 1899 ard 1901
he was Il member of the State Senate.
He served on important committees
in both branches of the State Legisla-
ture with distinction and proved him.
self an eloquent and forceful speaker,
and an able and fearless debater.
His entire legislative career was
characterized by liberal consideration
of all charitable institutions and an eff
fort to more equitably distribute the
burden of taxation. He is an honored
and an active member of that splendid
organization, The Patrons of Hus-
bandry, which has done SO much for
the farmers and the farming interests
of this State and the Nation as we'll.