The Republican journal., 1910-07-07
THE STATE CONVENTION.

1.-THE finest convention l ever attend
ed'' was the remark of Howard Owen Of
Augusta, the veteran newspaper man, at
the close of the Republican State con-
vention held in City Hall, Augusta, June
10Th. That was the general sentiment
of those who attended this meeting of
earnest. enthusiastic Republicans from
all parts Of the State. There was not
discordant note. The convention was
unit in sentiment and in purpose, and
every delegate was confident of victory
at the polls in September and ready to do
his part to ensure can old fashioned Re-
publican majority The addresses were
Of high order of merit, whether regard
ed from an oratorical or literary stand
point. Seldom before have more able
speeches been made in a State cohven-
ton. They showed that the Republicans
intend to meet every one of the Demo-
cratic charges and insinuations without
equivocatior or attempt at evasion.
They dissipated the falsehoods of the
Democratic newspapers and orators as
the sun drives away the fog, revealing
the Republicans of Maine in line ready
to do battle against the common foe.
Harry D. Austin Of Phillips, who presid-
ed, sounded the keynote of Republican
principles His speech was able and
was built upon a foundation of logical
argument From the lips Of William W.
Mccain of Poland came the eloquent
and inspiring words which placed Gov.
Fernald's name before the convention.
A farmer, an old schoolmaster, think
ing, staunch and progressive Repub
lican, Mr.. Mccain voiced the senti-
ment of the farmers of Maine in his
au]ogy of Bert NJ. Fernad and praise
for his administration. Oscar R. Eel
lows of Bangor spoke for the young men
of the Republican party in seconding the
nomination of Governor Fernald, and
made an able address. Walter c. Emer-
son of Portland, legislator, orator and
newspaper man, added to his laurels as
witty and eloquent speaker in endors-
ing Governor Fernald and last, but not
least, speaking for old kennebec, came
the Hon. Herbert NJ. Heath, whose mas
terly argument, whose logic and sound
common sense, whose eloquence and en-
thusiasm gave to Gov. Fernald an en-
dorsement which few men have ever re-
ceived in a State convention. He told
what Maine senators and representatives
had done to preserve the industries Of
this State and d'velt at length upon the
fine financial showing and the progress
sive policies of Fernald's administration.
He made it plain that the Republican
party had been expanding the money of
the taxpayers of the State to lessen the
municipal burdens of the people and to
take upon the broad shoulders of the
State the burdens which the State
should bear. Eloquent, scholarly and
logical, Mr.. Heath gave to Fernald's adj
ministration the strongest possible en-
dorsement from the view point of a bust
ness man and a close student of the
broad questions of State policies.
Then came Governor Fernald's speech
of accept ance, in which he replied to
and refuted the charges of his Demo-
cratic accUsers. The Democrats have
charged extravaganza, mismanagement,
nlisappropriation. misrule, notification,
impending bankruptcy; indeed, almost
all the sins in the political calendar, and
these charges were squarely met and
their falsity shown, in terms that all
could understand. 1t was shown that
the Republican party has fulfilled its
pledges. 1t has administered the affairs
of the State in a wise, honest and pro-
gressive manner. 1t has managed the
finances well. 1t has not increased the
tax rate. In fact, as Governor Fernald
stated, never has the rate of direct taxa
ton for strictly State purposes been so
low as now. 1t has decreased the public
debt; made it the lowest of any State,
and kept the financial standing of the
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taxation. It has carried out the broad
policy of causing the State to assume
greater share Of the expenditures that
benefit the State as a whole, thus re-
leving the localities of their burdens by
distributing them 1t has put the reve-
nues to good use and supplied urgent
needs. 1t has raised more money for
education, for the relief of the unfor-
tunate classes, and for highway improve
ment and other public works. 1t stands
on its record and challenges criticism.
} The platform which was adopted by
this convention, and which was received
with enthusiasm, rang true and was in
tone with the harmony of the Republi-
can party. 1t embodied progressive
policies, staunch and unequivocable en-
dorsement of the principle Of prohibition,
a plank favoring some honest method of
conducting party primaries and endors-
ment of the national administration.
Two United States Senators died last
week, John W. Daniels of Virginia, and
Samuel D. McEnery of Louisiana. The
latter was buried June Both from his late
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