Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-08-25
MAINE CLOSE STATE
Republicans Alarmed, Demo-
Gratis Making Big Claims.
OLD SORES MAKE TROUBLE
Republican Disaffection Dates Back
to Six Years Ago.
REVOLT AGAINST OLD GUARD
Younger Faction Militant and Not
Caring Especially About Whose
Head Is Cracked.
OLD SORES MAKE TROUBLE
REVOLT AGAINST OLD GUARD
epeciaI From stan Correspondent.

epeciaI From STAFF Correspondent.
PORTLAND. Me-. August 25.-Any fair
minded republican or democrat with
knowledge OF political affairs. IL speaking
frankly, will say that Maine Is doubtful
state in the election which Is to be held
September IL. Four weeks ago. when !
was here. the republicans were beaten
10 frazzle IL the election had been held
then Conditions have improved since
then IL Is believed so that today IL is
about an even break.
What IL will be three weeks hence. when
the ballots fiutter into the boxes. | don't
know and I haven't been able 10 find any
well informed man in Portland who would
admit that he knows when il comes right
down to brass tacks.
Election Important One.
governor. members of the legislature.
representatives in Congress and county
tickets will be voted on. The legislature
will elect a successor TO Senator Hale.
The election is therefore exceedingly i'm
portant TO Maine and will be otherwise
important in the effect IL may have upon
sentiment in other states.
One thing is certain-the republicans are
at this writing the worst scared lot OF
voters in the country. BY the same token.
the democrats are feeling pretty cocky.
thank YOU: but a hectic flush tinges their
hope. which need not necessarily be taken
as the sign OF robust health, for out of
that very state of alarm pervading the
republican ranks may come unity and
harmony At the last moment to save the
day.
Started Six Years Ago.
Make no mistake: a democratic victory
in Maine would not mean that the voters
are turning to democratic principles. 1t
would be the result of republican fac
tionai trouble and the paying or Of some
cumulative political grudges. These have
been accumulating for six years. In the
fervor or q presidential election two years
ago they were laid aside. Now they are
breaking out afresh.
Maine. Of course, is normally repub-
lican state. but the population includes
very militant democracy, and In the last
few years = spirit Of independence has
grown up In the republican party. The
younger republicans are breaking away
from the old organization of Blaine. OF
Joe Manley. Of Hale. When say break
ing away, I mean 1t literally. for among
some Of them there is disposition to break
down doors and pull down the pillars OF
the temple IL necessary to get out
For the purposes OF this dispatch II Is
useless TO go into the details of the lac
tsonal fight which has waged here for six
years. 1t Is a struggle between two
groups Of republicans TO control the state.
Up to this time the young blood has
thought IL wise to announce bis impend-
ing retirement from politics; his son has
been defeated for nomination Tor Con-
gress by Asher Kinds. who is recognized
as having the friendship Of the other
faction-
Question as to How Far.
The vital question now is whether the
troubles have so embittered the factions
that they will destroy each other IL they
conclude such to be the requisite prelim-
mary to gaining control Some Of the
WISER and cooler old heads among the
politicians here believe that such will not
prove to be the case. They think that
the factionalists will blow OF steam in
execratiors and threats before election
day and then, in the face Of the menace
OF possible democratic victory. will swal-
low heir wrath and march determinedly
though sullenly TO the polls on election
day and vote the straight ticket.
That optimistic view. however. is not
shared by some other republicans Of equal
prominence with whom I have talked In
the past few days. That is why II Is
difficult to reach a prophetic state OF
mind about this situation. So let's pass
up prophecy and tell the plain story OF
conditions.
In Maine Is TO be found the same state
Of unrest existing in other states. The in
surgent spirit is manifested. opposition TO
the old order OF things, 10 the old leaders
and disposition to Kick over the whole
rail of milk IL necessary. There are some
signs which remind of 1892. IL is pretty
hard 10 put the finger on one definite.
tangible proposition. We, the symptoms of
trouble are unmistakable.
Republicans Slow in Starting.
The republicans have been rather back
-.rd IN THAR campaign giving the DEM