Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-09-13
MIGHTY DOUBTFUL UP IN MAINE
TAFT ALL RIGHT, MAYBE, AND
REPRESENTATIVES, TOO.
Democrats Have a Granger Candi-
date for Governor and He Looks
Good Now.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star. g
BOSTON. Mass, September 12.-Maine's
most remarkable political campaign in
its history came to practical close to-
night amid conditions which yield little
in the way of dependable clues to the re-
sult Monday That Maine will return a
substantial majority for Taft in Novem-
Der is regarded as likely and by the re-
publican leaders Is asserted foresone
conclusion. But that Maine will elect a
republican governor Monday is by no
means as certain, though the republican
state committee is giving out statements
to the effect that it looks for majority
close to 10000
Local conditions. factional fights. re-
submission and prohibition all enter into
this years election to an extent OUT OF
all proportion to their Importance ana
there has been no ia Lying cry by either
party to bring about reunion.
Former Gov. Hill. the national commit
teeman from Maine. early decided that
the old republican majority could not be
secured Hitchcock was called in. and
he met the district. county and municipal
leaders of the party and infused: or did
his best to infuse. so far as possible. some
of the enthusiasm and Vigor OF ms own
personality into the gathering.
Spellbinders Whooped It Up.
Within a few days spellbinders. United
States senators. representatives and an
author or two came into Maine and start
ed a campaign of education which has
been strenuous. whether or not effective.
During the last week Secretary Garfield,
hearing in the minds of the Maine .-rm-
ers at least personal message from
President Roosevelt, Joined the throng.
On the other hand, the democratic party
has fought without the aid of imported
forensic experts. Obadiah Turner is the
first democratic candidate for governor in
many years who has succeeded in max
ing himself popular with the farmers
He was master of the State Grange for
many years The leading feature of the
arguments of Mr.. Turner for the SURFACES
of the Maine voters has been his declara-
tion for the resubmission of the prohibi-
ton amendment to the constitution ana
against the extravaganza In state eXpen-
ditures On this platform he has con-
Quoted an unusually successful campaign.
Whether he has created an interest suf-
flcient for democratic victory. however. Is
a question. and from an unbiased. indie
pendent view douDtfui.
Democrats Hope for Governor.
Two years ago Gov. Cobb. republican.
received a vote of 69,3l5 and his demo-
cratic opponent 81, AT making the repub-
lican plurality of ISIS. the smallest on
record. Democratic leaders assert that
this year they will win, and at any rate
will cut down the plurality TO an even
smaller figure. That the four republican
nominees for Congress. Amos Allen, John
p Sway E. c. Burleigh and Frank r.
Guernsey will be elected is practically
certain. The democratic leaders even are
not claiming election in any of these four
cases although 1t is generally conceded
on all sides that the pluralities of all viii
be reduced.
The campaign in many respects has
been a most bitter one. The prohibition
issue has been given great deal or
prominence, DR.. j. Wesley Hill of New
York one of the most active spellbinders.
continually referring to the rum issue.
In the newspapers of the state the politi-
cal campaign has pushed everything else
to a subordinate place, and many bitter
attacks have been made. AS a betting
proposition the result OF the election Mon
day is about ; to bet in favor of the
republicans.