Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-12-17

0LOfS eject lltld q Iun-tOSE Lllet anu Dali
quet at the Augusta House Friday eve
ming. Senator Eoynton of Lincoln
who WG,S appointed press committee
by his associates, gave out statement
upon but one action of the conference
and that was one to which the sena-
tors-elect could hardly point with
pride, the compelling Of Senator Staples
Of Knox to withdraw from the contest
for the position of President OF the
Senate TO which he believed his 10
years of faithful service to the party
had entitled him, in order to make way
for Nathan Clifford Of Cape Elizabeth,
who will undoubtedly be the presid-
ing officer OF the next Senate.
Senator Boynton was questioned by
representatives of the press as to
whether any other action was taken by
the conference but he insisted that
nothing of the kind took place and
gracefully replied No to the queries
that were put to him in rapid success
ccssiOn after he made his brief state
ment in regard to the presidency of
the Senate, such as: Did YOU discuss
the proposition of giving the State
been said the party would atternpt:"
Did the conference discuss the stu
alton III regard to the United States
Senatnrailip?' WAS the question of the
selection Of Il candidate for secretary
U1 Slate taken mp"
Senator BoyIton'S statement was as
follows. cat an informal conference
Of The Democratic senators-elect held
Dec. Ii at the Augusta House IL was
the unanimous expression of all the
senators present that Senator Staples,
because of his long and faithful service
to the party was entitled to any po-
sition within the gift Of that party.
but the wish was expressed that he
remain on the floor rs the majority
leader. That senator always ready to
yield to the demands Of his party
gracefully withdrew as Il candidate for
President OF the Senate"
The invitation to the dinner and con-
ference was extended by the six DEM
ocratic senators-olect, who We're MEM
bcrs OF the upper house Of 1909, Null
len, Kellogg. Hill. Staples, Donigan and
Huynton. ard the gathering was osten-
sibly for considering tie matter of
Senate organization and it is denied by
those present that any other matters
were considered.
Tho senators-cloct present We're:
Merton .. Edwards, Lewiston; Horatio
G.. Tcss, Auburn Nathan Clifford,
Cape Elizabeth; Reuel J. Noyes. Au-
rustG: Henry harrington, Gardiner;
Howard W.. Dodge. Clinton: Lindley
ii. Staples, Washington; Leslie Boyn-
ton. Jefferson; James b. Mullen. Ban
gor: W. scott Kellogg, Pattcn; Francis
Hill, Exeter; John H. Sanborn. Dover;
Lewis NJ. Fulton, Bowdoinham; Albert
Il. Donigan, Bingham.
\ number of prominent Democrats
from various sections Of the State were
noticed about the lobby Of the Augusta
House during the afternoon and evening.
Among them were: William NJ. Pennell
of Brunswick, whose somewhat sensa-
tional announcement of his candidacy for
the United States Senate on the preceding
day caused a great furry in the inner cir
Giles Of his party; Hon. Obadiah Gardner
of Rockland, who is still a candidate for
the United States Senate and believes his
elses if not a little bit better; Fred B.
Niggin. former city marshal of Saco.
who wishes to be secretary Of State I'M
der the new dspensation; Ruggles Hig-
gins of Sanford, who would not refuse
the position Of secretary of the Senate.
and who is at one time a pencil pushcr
among the boys of the Hub and Col.
f. H. Strickland OF Bangor, representa-
tive-elect.
The situation is regard to the United
States senatorship was freely discussed
in the lobby and one prominent Democrat
was heard to say that he believed that
Pennelrs entrance into the field as an
active rather than a passive candidate
would prevent any naming OF United
States senator by the Democrats anC
throw the contest onto the floor of the
House Pencils friends profess to be-
lieve that in that case he might gain Re
publican votes enough to win the cleo
ton. while Johnson's friends are even
more confident that in such an event the
Watefvile man. who will undoubtedly
lead in the caucus, will have sufficient
votes from the other side Of the House
to insure his election. The fact was not
taken into consideration that in the event
of such contest between the warning
factions the members of the minority
party are quite likely to play the part
Of spectators only and cast their bal
lots as a unit for the nominee of the
Republican caucus.
What practically amounts to the selec-
ton of Nathan Clifford of Cape Eliza
beth for president of the Senate Of 1911
leaves only two lawyers remaining among
the Democratic members of the Senate.
one of whom must he chairman of the
judiciary committee, Staples Of Washing
ton and Harrington of Gardiner Senator
Staples will undoubtedly be given this
position as a reward for his withdrawal
from the contest for craftsmanship, leay-
ing Judge Harrington of Gardiner, who
is eninently qualified. his friends believe,
So. IL, a,,-,,,n Il, 49, IA