The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1908-09-10
A Last Word.

in this state will close on Monday of
next week, when the voters will go to
the polls and cast their ballots for the
candidates and record themselves on
the measures presented. Standing
upon platform which commands the
respect of all who believe in the In
tegrity of the home and the general
welfare of the community, the Re-
publican position, and the fight it has
made, has been clear and above
board. The Republicans have pre-
scented their record with pride which
only those can feel who have done
their duty well and faithfully. They
can point to the steady decrease of
the public debt, and under their fos-
tering care help has been wisely ex-
tended to all the worthy public in
situations in which the state is inter
ested. They do not believe in mean,
stingy policy; and while under the
continuance of Republican rule, not
one cent has been lost to the state;
there has been iberality equal to
the demands of the times in a COM
munity that desires to keep up with
the procession. Schools, good roads,
aid to agricultural societies, hospitals,
home for the feeble minded, ETC.,
have called for liberal appropriations,
but all these are worthy objects and
deserve the fostering care of the state.
The Republican party has outlawed
the grog shop, and will continue to
outlaw it. If any one is mean enough
to sell rum, he shall not be protected
in the infamous business by the law.
This has been one of the issues of the
campaign, and holding firmly to that
position, it should have the support of
all temperance men and women. I'm
der this system of prohibition Maine
has prospered. We find by consult
ing the records of the census bureau
that in the first four years of the pres
ent decade the per cent of increase
of true wealth was larger in Maine
than in the three neighboring license
states-larger even than in the oldest
and richest of the New England states,
Massach usetts.
The chief stock in trade of the
Democratic party, during the cam
paign, has been the vilification of the
state. When all progressive men and
women have been seeking to build up
the reputation of the state, to improve
it's morals, to better its business con-
ditions, SO as to attract the right kind
of people here, they have represented
it as God forsaken, corrupt, ignorant
and drunken state, mostly made up of
population of political hypocrites
and grafters. On Monday me- KIT let the
insulted and traduced people turn
upon these vilifiers, and show them
that they are in little mean, con-
temptible minority.
Bert NJ. Fernald, our candidate for
governor, has made fine impression
in his through and impartial canvas of
the state. He has exceeded even the
highest expectations OF his most
ardent friends in his presentation of
the principles of the Republican party
and his lucid explanations of the diff
ferent issues, and has been more
fn I h nf 10 a
the stump. Wherever Mr.. Fernald
has appeared he has made friends by
the score. We have had here speak :
ers of national reputation, and those
whose fame has not gone much be-
yond their own neighborhoods, and
they have all made good, as they have
appealed to the common sense and
manhood of the people.
And then as to national affairs. "a
vote for Fernald is a vote for Taft. -
This may have been reiterated so
often as to become tiresome. But it
is a fact nevertheless. When a Re-
publican votes for Gardner, he strikes
a blow at Taft. Do you want to con-
tinue the protective features of the
tariff, and the other well knowri
measures of the party? Then you will
vote for Fernald, The eyes of the ma
ton are upon Maine, as they were
upon Vermont. 1t is always SO in
these years of national contests. Yer
mont has fired its first gun, and the
blaze of victory Eliminates its
mountain tops. We are looking for
Maine TO follow on with a majority
that shall send cheer to the battling
hosts in the doubtful states.
The following is a plank in the
Democratic national platform, on
which Bryan stands as candidate for
President: 1--WE demand the imme-
date repeal of the tariff on wood
pulp, print paper, lumber, timber and
logs, and that these articles be placed
on the free LIST - This means that