The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1910-04-07

scheme is being worked. but without
much success, in various parts of the
State
The Hale plan is to have candidates
announces themselves early. particu-
larly In the rural sections of Maine,
said candidates to refuse to define
their position upon the senatorial
question.
When these candidates are asked 20
state their choice they resort TO the
following replies: First, that it is al
together too early to do so. Second,
that the contest between Powers and
Hale is likely not to come to the
House and accordingly they will new
er be asked to vote upon this mat
ter Then they add. as naively as
only an astute Hale could prescribe,
that if they are asked to vote upon
the question they will then ascertain
the views of the constituents.
We caution the voter to take no
stock in this kind of Hale buncombe.
In the first place, it is never to early
for a candidate to express choice as
between the two candidates. Hale
has been senator long enough so that
any child could we'll know his posi-
ton on important national and State
matters. Everyone knows for what
Eugene Hale stands. He is out of
sympathy with the wishes Of the peo-
pie of Maine and has been ever since
he mortgaged to himself the sena-
torial job He has failed at numerous
times to faithfully represent the SEN
timents of the people of Maine. Wit
ness his opposition, dull and stubborn,
to the prosecution of war against
Spanish hyenas in Cuba, at time
when nine out of every ten citizens of
Maine were demanding that the Cuban
atrocities should stop. Witness his
recent alliance with those commercial
forces which are struggling to choke
the life out of the people with their
exorbitant prices. The people of
New England and Maine wanted an
honest tariff revision. a revision that
would mean lower prices for the ne
cessities of life. And Hale calls the
last tariff bill good and smacks his
lips over his wine in his comfortable
quarters in Washington. Witness his
interest in progressive legislation
when, in a secret and rather con-
temptible manner, he caused this
State to be flooded with speeches, de-
livered by man of his own aristo-
cratic and unprogressiye tempera
ment against the popular initiative
and referendum. He read the hand
writing on the wall. He knew the time
was coming when with better ex
preston of the peoples will his career
would near it's close.
On the other hand, every one knows
for what Judge Powers stands. He
has long been prominent in the State
of Maine, as legislator, jurst and citi-
zen. He is the direct opposite of Eu
gene Hale. Hales face is backward;
Powers is forward. Hale is unpro-
gressive in his ideas; Powers is pro-
the old ruts If he could; Powers is
willing and anxious to champion the
people in the spirit of true repre-
sentative. Judge Powers believes in
all progressive legislation; he believes
in the parcels post, permanent tariff
commission, the ratification Of the
amendment to the constitution per-
hitting the general government to
levy an income tax without appor-
tionment among the several states; he
believes in the Roosevelt policies.
Therefore, there is no earthly reason
why any man cannot pass judgment
upon these candidates.
In the second place, there is bound
to be a fight in the Maine House I'M
less Mr.. Hale withdraws, surely
III hiCN vi tliC plO6 VI
the Powers candidacy.
In the third place, the second reply
of the Hale candidate that he will
wait and ascertain the views of his
constituents after election is an old
gag. The only safe way, and mark
this we'll, is to know how your candi-
date stands before you nominate him;
otherwise you may get Hale gold
brick 1t Is easier for three hundred
people to ascertain what one man
thinks before he Is nominated, than /.
Is for him, after nomination and cleo
ton, to ascertain what the three hun
dred think. Not only Is 1t easier but
it Is generally mighty sight more
satisfactory to the three hundred.
So, Mr.. Voter, find out whether
your candidate favors progressive
Republican like Judge Powers, or
Backward LOCKER, like Eugene Hale.