The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1910-09-13
MAINE DEMOCRATS
SPRING SURPRISE
ONREPUBLICANS
Carry State by Plurality $500
for Governor
ALSO TWO CONGRESSMAN
Legislature Will Be Democratic En-
surine Election of Successor to
Senator Hale

Augusta, Sept. 13-There was no
uncertainty in the voice with which
Maine yesterday recorded her pre-
ference for governor and her attitude
on the issues of the campaign gener-
ally the plurality given % Frederick
NJ. Plaisted of Augusta, democrat, be-
ing declsiyely large, while three OF
the four congressional districts which
are ordinarily strongly republican re-
turned democratic candidates. Early
returns also indicated that the Legis-
lature might be democratic and elect
a democrat as a successor to United
States Senator Hale.
In the face of the sweeping demo
cratic victory, the republican leaders
were overwhelmed with surprise, and
the magnitude of their successes as
tonlshed even the most sanguine OF
democrats. It was the first beating
the republicans of Maine, the state OF
Blaine and Reed. had had In 30 years,
and by a coincidence Harris NJ. Plais
ted, father of the present successful
candidate, was Names last democra-
tic governor, in the year 1881. Asher
C.. Kinds OF Portland, parliamentary
clerk of the House of Representatives
was defeated for Congress in the LIST
district while Congressman Burlelgh
I'm the Sd district and Congressman
Swasey in the I'd district also went
down TO defeat
Col. Plaisted, the governorelect
goes up to the capital with a plurali-
ty larger than that given two years
ago to his defeated republican oppon-
ent, Gov. Bert M. Fernald OF Poland.
Col. Plaisted was born in Bangor in
1864. He ran for mayor of Augusta
five times. and won four elections.
The republican leaders as n rule were
at a loss last night to account for
their overwhelming defeat The
weather was perfect, and they could
offer no excuse on that line. The Is
sues were well understood and most
of the speakers had confined them
selves to state matters, scarcely men
tloning national affairs.
Gov Fernald's administration was
stoutly defended against democratic
criticism OF extravaganza, and most
of the voters were given an opportun
ity OF seeing and hearing the candi
dates while a few out-of-the-state
speakers, including Congressman Nc
Kinlay of California, went there tc
help. Close political observers, how
ever. early heard mutterings not louc
hut deep. The socalled "old guard
had TO stand a lot OF party criticism
and even the leaders were out OF har
mony with new element which haC
begun to manifest itself. especially II
the western part OF the state. It wa!
hoped among the hackers OF the ad
ministration of Gov Fernald tina
this unrest would subside, and mucl
dependence was placed upon the old
time loyalty Of the farming vote II
the back counties.
The election passed off without an,
unfortunate incident. In fact II wa
one OF the quietest In years. TIL
vote was about an average one for Al
of year. and the total will run &
about 10000. Gov. Bert NJ. Fernal'
OF Poland, said last night Il hav
no doubt from the returns az han
that Mr.. Plaisted has been elected b.
from 3000 to 5000. don't under
stand why the vote should take
sudden change In all parts of tn
state"
Returns from SIS out Of Cos ele,
ton dls,ric,s give: Fernald. renul
lican. 65.53o: Plalsted, democrat z.
$50. The corresponding vote In 100
was: Coz. republican. 6S,0O2
Davis. der'c"rat, 50,72l.