Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-08-15
OUTLINES POLICY.
F., ". PIaisted Accepts
The Nomination.
Formal Letter TO Chairman Of
Notification Committee.
His Views Of Questions and Prom.
ises III" Elected.

Following is the full text of Col.
Fredk w. Plaisted's letter of accept
ance of the Democratic nomination as
a candidate for Governor.
Hon. Fred Emery Became, Chairman of
Notification Committee of the
Democratic State Convention:
In accepting the nomination for Gov
ernor of Maine. rendered me by the
Democratic party at Augusta. on June
18th, last | stated my purpose to pres
ent to the public in formal letter of
acceptance, more fully than it was then
possible for me to do, my views con-
corning those questions which are
most at issue in the present cam
paign. That promise | desire now to
fulfill | do not deem it necessary, to
discuss national issues While it
seems to me apparent that the position
taken by our party on those issues is
manifestly right and in the interest of
good government, l realize that the
election of state officials and the con-
duct of State administration involve
matters which are but remotely con-
nected with national affairs.
National politics cannot be entirely
divorced 1t is rare that the issues
involved in state campaign cor
respond in the slightest degree with
the issues involved in a national cam
paign. There is but one point, at
present. at which state and national
politics touch. The State legislature
elects our United States senators. Ex-
cepting for that one matter. the most
loyal advocate of Republicanism in its
national aspects might logically act
with d Democratic state party. at GER
tain times, and vice versa. AS IL is,
voters are not able to entirely express
their wishes by their votes.
To avoid this political anomaly our
party has long advocated the direct
election. by the people, of united
States senators. Pending that great
reform. I would suggest the adoption
in Maine Of a law relating to the Sc
lection of United States senators,
similar to that now in force in Oregon.
under which a legislature of one
political complexion may be obliged to
send to Washington senator OF OPP
posite views when the people desire
such a one to represent them.
This arrangement should be en-
bodied in the direct primary law when
the next legislature will doubtless
adopt. in accordance with the platform
promise of both parties.
The independent voter is the safe
guard of both state and nation. Every
facility should be given him to ex-
press his intelligent convictions by
his ballot and every means used to IN
crease the weight of his influence IN
public affairs. TO that end improve
ments in our ballot laws may well be
the subject of serious consideration
and the passage Of corrupt pfactlce
law be urged in order that the vote OF
the honest independent may not be OIL
set by that of the venal foater
Government by party is likely TO
continue to obtain in this country for
manv wears to come. and it is doubtful
if the results could be reached under
,nv other system. but the saving
clause in government by party lies IN
the fact that all men do not vote I'M
changingly with one political orsaii-
zation Men who regard cltlZehship
seriously are not afraid to vote against
their Darty when they believe that the
general public good demands its deleat.
The Democratic party of Maine IS en-
thrsiastic and harmonious and assur 10
,ncos come to me. on every hand. OF
the support of Independent voters.
With their assistance we can win the
good fight for the people OF Name III
the present campaign
We near a good deal about the pass
ing of the spells system. That system
,,erar was more in evidence at any
time. under any government than AT
nresert in Maine Practically every
appointive office in Maine. excepting
whore otherwise directed by law, is
allied with Republican.
Perhaps the most marked abuse OF
in connection with APP
is exhibited in the Judiciary
Since 1880 one place on
tho supreme bench has been reserved
for a Democrat, seven places have al
WAYS been filed by Republicans. NO
Democrat has ever been appolnted
Judge of a Superior court ana with
hardly exceptions enough to prove inc
rule. municipal judgeships ana even re-
of municipal courts nave
been used to reward faithful party
workers.
That this system has not lowered the
tone of our Supreme bench is tribute
to the remarkably high character OF
the bar from which it's members are
recruited; that it has lowered the tone
of orr inferior courts is apparent to
anyone familiar with the facts.
PARTY politics should be kept entirely
and absolutely out Of the courts III L
am elected Governor. no judge now
serving. will fail of reappontment be-
cause his politics differ from mine and
in appointing judges or other officers OF
anv and all courts. ability and flthess
will be the only things considered.
In accordance with the Democratic
n,atform. I recommend the adoption by
Maine of the proposed constitutional
relating to the income tax
and I invite the attention OF the peo-
pIe of our state to the possible WISDOM
of including the income tax as part
of our state system of taxation.
Our present tax system presents
MANY unnecessary inequalities ana