The independent-reporter., 1910-02-17
VINO nADE CONTACT WITH HALRi
Maine Veters Are Asked b Censilcr
Meaning Of Hale's Cain.

Reporter:
Dear Sir:
Senator Hale says. that It was un-
derstood that there should be no op-
position to his reelection.
Will the senator just inform the
voters Of Maine with whom he had
this Understandings Will he Just ex-
plain what man or cotorie of men
presumed to carry in his vest pocket,
the $4,000 proxies of the Republican
voters of the State Of Maine with au-
thority to bargain, sell and deliver
them at the shrine OF the aged sena-
tori Have the Republicans Of Maine
surrendered the last vestige of a
right, to be heard upon the question
of the most vital importance to our
form Of government; "a government
of the people, by the people and for
the people," When was this under
standing entered into? How long
ago? Why were the voters Of the
State not taken into the confidence Of
the contracting !, parties? 1t would
seem from the above language, ut
was we'll understood that there was
to be no opposition to me- that the
senator relies upon that contract as
q binding one and that the support
of Judge Powers would be breach,
not only of good faith, but q breach
Of specific contract. What Republi-
can voter in the State of Maine ever
heard of the understanding referred
to? Whoever has, let him speak up
and declare himself. Let him ex-
plain by what authority he made that
trade and by what authority he prom
ises the support of $4,000 Republican
voters. II no one else can answer
this question certainly the senator
can and 1t is due to the intelligent
voter, to know from the senator who
claims such power and authority. II
such power is vested In any one man
or in any body of men to make such
promise, outside of the joint action
of the Legislature, the people want to
be informed who constitutes this high
board of commissioners with such
overwhelming authority? How long
has this state been ruled by COM
mission of this kind and who author
lied itf Are these not pertinent
questions to be answered by every
voter In the State? In theory this
In government by the people-Is 1t
In reality? l ask the average voter
when he goes to State or district
convention a.. delegate what voice
he has In the choice of candidates7
One or two men from each county by
a preconcerted plan make out a
schedule. provide . set Of resC3ations,
ETC.. and you vote as you are slated
to vote and that Is all YOU do or have
TO say.
The senator further says, that
there was to be a united party in the
Republicans should unite that Gov
ernor Fernald and Republican Leg
islature may be elected by increased
majorities?" How does the fact Of
the candidacy OF Judge Powers inter-
fere with the unity of the party? What
element of unharmoniOus action
would such candidacy introduce?
Does the senator by his machine pro-
pose to rule or ruin--Is that what is
to be inferred by a united party
Does the senator who has been In
Washington for quite forty years in the
two branches Of Congress mean that
he and his followers cannot act In
harmony with the party II they in
sist that Judge Powers candidacy
shall not peter out but shall be push
ed forward to successful issue? Let
the Republican readers of this paper
consider well the situation and before
they make up their minds on this i'm
portant question ask themselves what
Senator Hale has done In the last ten
years In the interest Of the people of
Maine. Then ask what he has not
done in the interest of corporations
and high finance.
READER.