Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-08-16
Editorial Comment.
Plaisted's Acceptance.
portland Press

cratic nomination for Governor Col.
PaiSted says there is but one point
at present, at which state ana ma
tiona, politics touch" and that Is IN
the election of United States senators.
That is a pretty important point, ana
the allusion to it serves to remind tne
people of Maine that it falls TO the
next Legislature to choose senator.
Mr. plaisted and his coadjutors are
industriouly arguing for the return
of Democratic Legislature, but their
arguments appeal only to those VINO
believe in a tariff for revenue only
and for the other policies of the DEM
ocratic party. Voters who wish TO
promote those policies will cast their
ballots accordingly. But Mr.. Plaisted
overlooks the fact that national ana
state politics touch at two other
| points at least in the coming election.
| One is in the choice of representatives
in Congress. and the other is in the
probable realignment of the congress
sional districts following the census
and reaportionment. We are to eject
four representatives, and 1t IS lot the
voters to say whether they want 10
help on Champ Clark's plan to pass
a revenue tariff bill in 1912. The work
| of rcdistricting the State Will ran u
the Legislature. If the Democrats
should happen to be in controi, theS
| could be trusted to bend their energies
to shoestringing and gerrymanderlne
| i'm such manner as make the districts
or part of them Democratic indefinite
jly. But perhaps Mr.. Plaisted did not
overlook these points. Perhaps he had
them very wildly III mind. but con-
sidered it not wise to allude to them In
his letter.
| Mr.. Plaisted's plan of campaign
| saams TO he a cater to the independ-
ent vote and to foster discomfort. he
knows we'll enough that he can not
be elected by the straight Democratic
vote. for tie simple reason that there
is not enough of it. He is well aware
that if he is elected at all 1t must De
| by Republican votes, and II IS 10 that
purpose particularly that his letter Is
addressed 1t is not usual Tor can
didate for Governor to issue formai
letter of acceptance. The speech at
the nominating convention usually
answers the purpose. but Mr.. Plalsted
has a particular purpose. and 1t is
evidently this. THE independent vol
err" he says, lis the safeguard OF both
State and nation. Every fac1hty
should be given him to express MS
intelligent convictions by his ballot
and every means used to increase the
weight of his influence in public at
fairs" This is talk from the straight
marty man. Mr.. Plaisted has always
been a Democratic ticket so far as
|,
anv other if he should try. when
many Of his party here IN Mdlie
bolted the Bryan ticket because they
could not stand the Bryan pollcles,
Mr.. Plaisted remained falthiui
BRYAN man and continued ms sup
port of the Nebraska leader as long
as that leader remained in the held-
| The doctor rejects his own medlclhe
when he tells the Independent voter
| that he is the safeguard of the coun-
trv and the salt of the earth. Men
who regard citizenship seriously, he
saws. ARE not afraid to vote against
their party when they believe that
the general public good demands its
| defeat" That may be true as gen.
eral principle. but wild horses could
| not have divorced PlaiSted from
BRYAN. SO he caters to the independ-
Tent vote and suggests the adoption OF
the Oregon plan for the selection OF
| United states senators in the prlm-
aries. amendment of the ballot law
and the passage of a corrupt prac-
tees act
To the same end of attracting the
| independent vote are his remarks
about the spoils system, which he
saws was never more in evidence in
Maine than at the present time. when
practically every appointive office. ex-
cent as otherwise directed by law, is
filled by Republican.