The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1908-02-06
No Third Candidate.
Republican Contest for Nomination for
Governor Now on Between Haines and
Fernald.


Fernald.
Portland, Feb. /.
People are beginning to discuss
political candidates, and, especial
", the matter of the Republican nom
nation for governor. For quite
while the politicians here were very
much adverse to committing them
selves upon this question, hoping
that candidate from York or Cum
berland counties might appear. NO
one has been presented for the honor.
Col. Charles H. Prescott of Biddeford
said he was not in the race, and,
when an attempt was made to BRING
State Senator Allen into the field, he
frowned it down.
1t is now generally conceded here
that there will be no third candidate
and that the fight will be between
Hon. Bert NJ. Fernald of Poland and
Hon. William 7. Haines of Waterville.
Now that this part of the matter IL
settled men are announcing them
selves for one or the other OF the can
didates. 1t is very evident that Mr..
Haines is gaining ground. 1t Is con-
ceded that Mr.. Fernald Is very
pleasant and agreeable gentleman,
but that he has not the qualifications
for a governor possessed by Mr..
Haines.
Naturally Mr.. Haines has the con
fidence and the support of the busl-
ness element. They know him per
sonally and it is we'll understood that
there is no man in the state who has
a better knowledge of the conditions
in Maine than Mr.. Haines. His legl5-
latiYe experience, his service as a
member of the governors council, all
fit him to occupy the position of gov
ernor. He has also been student OF
governmental affairs. His addresses
and interviews all show that he has
practical knowledge of all these mat
tiers.
A trip into York and Cumberland
counties will convince any one that
MIR. Haines has much support among
the farmers. While member OF the
senate he was chairman of the com
mittee on agriculture, and he has
ever taken an interest in the farming
business of Maine, and has stood by
the industry His optimistic views
upon the future of Maine, and his
firm stand at all times in arguing that
Maine is the best state in the union,
not only to be born in, but to live ana
do business in have made for INN
many friends.
Mr.. Haines for many years has Deen
one of the trustees of the University
of Maine and he has been consist
ent advocate of having that instltu-
ton adopt policy, not only OF gen
eral education, but, i'll particular TO
aid the farmers and the farming inter
ests of the state. In this he has been
successful, for 1t is universally ac-
knowledged that the institution was
never doing so much for the farmer
boy and the Maine farm as it is doing
today.
Another thing which is helping Mr..
Haines is that he is known to be
loyal Republican. Although some
people seem to lose sight of the fact,
it is nevertheless true, that the next
nomination of the Republican party
for governor will be made by Repub-
licans in Republican convention and
the delegates want to nominate man
who has stood by the party and been
loyal to it's principles. One OF the
older members of the party said Fri
day to the correspondent of the Com
U16Ttldl. llcIO 10 oiiO pbAh6 'A'NS
about Bill Haines. He always stands
by his party. He shows by facts and
figures that the party has governed
the state well. l have read his re-
cent interview upon state matters and
consider 1t a most instructive and
valuable document, one which ought
to have general circulation. The
members of the party admire man
like Mr.. Haines. They are sick and
tired of the carping critics who see
bears behind every bramble bush, and
who have their hats filled full Of new
tangled reforms. The very fact that
Mr., Haines is so widely known az a
broad minded, practical man of af-
fairs is going to help nominate him.
| believe he will be nominated for he
is gaining in strength every day.
ut Ia very unfortunate for Mr.. Fer
maid that the Lewiston organ which ID
booming him is almost daily making
attacks upon some one OF the repre-
sentative men of the Republican
party. The rank and file OF the party
have got very sick of this style of
warfare, which Is simply furnishing
ammunition for the Democrats to use
in the coming campaign. Very fortu-
nately this kind Of stuff has lost its
influence and only harms those who
are trying to make trouble in the
party Bangor Commercial.