Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-09-12

and some minor political queStlohs' were
discussed before an audience OF apou'
200 that met Friday night with inc
brotherhood of st. Paul in the NJ. T.. YES
try. Speakers from the Socialist, Repup-
,ican Prohibition and Democratic parties
had heen invited to present the principles
for which these organizations stand. Tha
order of speaking was determined pS
drawing the names from hat.
II. A. Densmore, president of the
Brotherhood, opened the meeting WITH
brief explanation of the program, ana
S F.. Emerson offered prayer "Charles
A Burnor then read a carefully pre-
pared paper on Socialism IN Which he
made the following points: SOCIALISM
means equal opportunity in accordance
with ability Eleven-thirteenths OF al
the wealth produced is now absorbed by
capital and many of the toilerS cannon
make a decent living. Our present INDUS
trial system makes no provision for the
future. We are largely what our en-
vironment makes us, particularly the en-
vironment of childhood. The fire depart
ment. postoftice. highway system, schoo's
libraries. etc, have already been social
lied and the Socialist party stands foi
extension of the principle of collective
ownership as rapidly as it can be accom-
plished."
Speaking for the Republicans. Fulson
Merrill explained the principle of protec-
ton, as the cornerstone of his politlca
faith. He drew comparisons with cohdi-
lions in Japan where skilled labor re-
ceiyes but 40 cents a day, and felt certain
that Americans would never consent &c
omen competition with the little yellow
men, Speaking of high prices, he. Aatc
that wages had risen and carried Gem
modities up with them He referreA to
the national platform pledges of fl%s, IRE
counted their fulfillment. ana based his
loyalty to Republicanism on the fact
that the party stood for the things Ire be-
lieved were right. and then lived up to
its promises.
Prohibition as the greatest moral ques-
ton was defended by S. F. Emerson
This question. he said, should take prec-
edence over all others, and he could new
er affiliate with any party that ignored
it or was guilty of hypocrisy in connec-
ton with it, Not a hamlet in the country
was under real prohibition today. be-
cause liuuor men were permitted to use
the mails to secure business The lottery
men had been shut out of the postoffice
and the liquor dealers should go, too. Mr..
Emerson then took up the other planks
in the party platform, commenting briefly
on each.
A. H. Yeaton closed the program and
kept the house in an uproar by his witty
salles at the preceding speakers and
their political theories. He stood for
Democracy, he said, because that meant
equal rights for all, special privileges to
none. He said that out of every s6 that
the tariff raised prices to the consumer,
the government got but s. Sewing ma
chimes made in this country were sold for
$s5 here, he declared, and SIS abroad.
This he denounced as extortion. Then he
took shot at the Sturgis law. praised
Sheriff Mooers and wound up by saying:
IF anybody offers you s. election day.
put it right in your pocket. You'll need
it this winter. Then go into the booth
and vote just as you think is right"