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

A few hours longer and the agony
viii be over We shall know-claims
and predictions will have been verified
or refuted. 1t has been a remarkable
campaign, one of the most remarkable
in the history of Maine Both the Old
parties nave exhausted their resources
according as they deemed it proper to
use them-the one making the most of
the spirit of unrest which is abroad in
the land and appealing to the people
TO demand a change of government;
the other to point out the cause of
conditions which have created the un
easiness.
The Democratic campaign has been
waged with intent to increase the dis
content which prevailing high prices
mad caused and to array the classes
against each other. They also have
appealed to those who do not believe
in the prohibitory laws of Maine and
have undoubtedly had the financial
backing of liquor interests which are
waging increasing war on tn" tenn
perance force of the country. The w.
C. T. U. as we'll as the Republican
party has been attacked and even the
churches have been assailed because
of their stand against the saloon.
Kentucky distiller has published book
founding his prohibition argu-
ments on the Bible. In every place
where wine is mentioned this man has
used it as the basis for an argument
attacking the sacred precincts of The
American holne-preaching the doc
trine of indulgence of the baser APP
petite and passions. And this book has
been sent into Maine as campaign ma
terial.
The Republicans have been kept
busy showing where baseless charges
are false; pointing out the lnconslSt-
ency Of Democratic claims and calm
inc the fears of those who were ~
first carried off their feet by sensation
al and alarmist yarns. The Republl-
can leaders and press have been very
considerable of the personal feelings OF
opposing candidates. and have with
held many things that might have
been used with effect if they had cared
to go into the sort Of campaign which
was being waged against them
The Democratic leaders made tao
teal blunder early in the campaign
nv firing off their best material before
they could see the whites of the en-
emy's eyes. They opened with a
broadside on Republican eXtrava-
gance" that stunned the opposing col
unlns (of the newspapers). 1t has been
Il year of large State eXpenses-thc
Legislature year-and heavy appro-
priations for charitable institutions anu
permanent roads, and the $350.0o0
which is being expended in remodellins
the state House. With these big hgures
to compare with other years the Demo-
Gratis had ammunition for an cffect'v"
assault if they had reserved it UNI
til the last of the campaign, when the
Republicans would not have had time
to explain it to the voters.
Republicans stand on their record
and have shown where every dollar OF
money has been or is being expended.
They have pointed out the increased
returns of towns and cities from the
State and have called attention to the
fact that although prices are high the
people of the State were never happier
or more independent: that they never
in it's history enjoyed so many luXu-
ries, and that no man is idle if he
wishes to work at good wages.
This morning it is hoped every man
will go to the polls with a determina-
ton to vote for the welfare of his
family. Banking on the common sense
and morality of the voters of Maine,
Republican leaders are confident of to-
nights story of the ballots. They eX-
pect the early returns from some OF
the cities to be Democracy-hu from
the very character of the campaign
but they have every reason to believe
that the country districts are still
firmly trenched against saloon and dive
and that the questionable methods
adopted and carried out to the last
minute bv the Democratic leaders have
re- acted rather than won votes for the
Democracy.
Two years ago many Republican
leaders were weak kneed at the last
and We're already to concede Gardeners
election when returns began to come in,
but three hours later a different light
was shown by the figures. And two
years ago 5000 Patrons of Husbandry
had voted for the head of their organ
|ization in Maine. This year the
Changers are for their fellow member
Gov. Bert M. Fernald.
Gov. FernaId has Travelled more than
1000 miles and has made nearly 5V
speeches. He has explained every act
of his administration and has fearlessly
met every charge. He has answered
every question frankly and satisfac-
torily.
This morning Gov. Fernald stands as
confident and unrufffed as on the first
day of the campaign He has been be-
fore the people and is sure of their in
telIigence and sincerity. He expects