Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-02-03
Editorial Comment.
Names Senior Senator.
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(Boston Herald).
The Republicans of Maine VIII thihh
twice before they will sacrifice the ser
vices of the senior Senator from that
state to satisfy the group of ambltlous
or discounted politicians who for some
time have been undermining the polltlcal
situation with view to securing Inns
seat to serve their own purposes The
search for candidate worthy to measure
swords with Senator Hale has been one
of the difficulties, although several men
have undergone quiet grooming IN the
past, but the drafting of a man OF the
ability of Judge Powers, which now
seems to have been accomplished, will not
in itself he sufficient to convince the peo-
pie of the State that the present senator
should be deposed. And Il e Repupncan
organization and the Legislature, IN the
absence of any popular demand for
change. will hesitate to take the initiative
in such movement unless they nave
some substantial reason for their course
TO nresent to the people. That reason is
not apparent The genesis of such oppo-
sition to Senator Hale as has appeared Is
too apparent to be deceptive or to justify
Maine sentiment or that it proceeds from
the people. And the political rivairies
and the personal interests which are so
prominent in the opposition movement
now seeking prominence, hardly can set
at naught the traditional New England
dignity of the Senatorial toga when
places this office apart from the polltlcai
plum-tree with it's standing invitation for
a free-for-all scramble.
The Republicans of Maine are not likely
to forget the prestige and power Whlcn
that state has enjoyed in national affairs
They will not delude themselves with the
idea that it has been the wealth, the pop
ulation, the material forces of the state,
or it's numerical strength in Congress-. or
a recognized position as a determinative
factor in national elections, that has
given it this power and prestige. They
will recognize as other New England
states recognize, that New England in
1uence in Congress is due to the men VINO
have been sent there and who continue to
be sent there, term after term, eXertlns
in Washington as they do at home a
strength exceeding any political calcula-
ton merely by their recognized person
atty and merit Names influence on
national legislation for a half century
has been beyond the measurement OF
votes. The Republican majorities, state
interests represented, the wealth ana IN
fiuence of the state have been raised 10
the higher degrees of power by the men
who have been it's Congressman and SEN
ators
Senator Hale. with more than 40 years
of public life behind him, with famli-
iaritv with national affairs of many terms
in the House and Senate, recognized as
a Senate leader, chairman of the impor-
tant committee on appropriation, men,,
her of the committee on naval affairs
and of the committe on finance, Yields
for his state a great power in national
legislation That fact is recognized. with
out statement throughout the country.
1t is not likely that the people of Maine
will ignore it. Maine, as well as Mas
sachusetts, has believed in the perma-
nency of the Senatorial office. This belief
has been confirmed by experience Ill
which the accumulation of influence ana
power with the experience OF continued
occupancy of the office has brought honor
and distinction, as well as material bene-
fit TO the Commonwealth. in greater
measure than to the individual AS pub
lie sentiment in Massachusetts stands to-
dav against the schemes of personal am
bition and political desire in defense OF
able and meritorous service for State and
Nation through a long term of years, so
Maine if it's truer and deep-lying control
ling sentiment is expressed, Will demand
that the political spoismen keep their
hands off the Senatorial seat