The Republican journal., 1912-03-28

Senator Hanson's ''maiden speech" at
Augusta was in line with all his utter
ances, oral or written. He is incapable
of making a logical argument, but de-
ponds upon personal invective and per-
versions of fact to mislead the unthink-
ing. His egotism is colossal. We doubt
if the Senate chamber at Augusta ever
before witnessed such an exhibition of
bufoonery, bunkum and blasphemy as he
gave last week. He libelled the people
of Waldo county when he said that ten
out of twelve farmers invite visitors to
take something; and when asked by Sen
ator Sanborn if he was thus quoted cor
rectly he replied: eyes, that is what
did say, and the other two of the twelve
probably had something, but had some
reason for not offering the visitor a
drink" At another stage Of his speech
he said: ''The farmers now buy it by the
jug and cons family keep it in his pantry.
Boys watch their fathers drink and start
in drinking themselves. The homes in
Waldo county are tippling shops.
He made an indecent and uncalled for
allusion to Hon. S. L. Milliken, who, al
though he has been in his grave many
years, has staunch friends not only in
this city and county but throughout the
State who will resent the slur upon his
memory, as did Senator Milliken OF
Aroostook, who said that Congressman
Milliken needed no defence from any
body when he was living, as the Senator
from Waldo well knows" Mr.. Mill
ken's widow and daughter are residents
of Belfast, his son is successful bust
ness man in New York city. What must
have been their feelings when they saw
in the public press this attempt to black
en- the memory of the husband and
father.
Of Mrs. L. M. N. Stevens of Portland,
the head of the Maine w. C. T. u, and
known the world oyer as temperance
worker, he said that ''before she starts
out she is careful to arrange for good
salary. She has secretary and rides
around in Nahum's chariot, otherwise
known as an automobile" And then he
asked: ''Do you know of one reform
caused by such workers as these? Do
you know of one home in this State that
has been made better or brighter as a
result Of their efforts?" The w. C. T..
U. is live organization; it can speak
for itself, and it's work speaks for it. It
did valiant work in averting the hand
ing over of Maine to the liquor dealers
and brewers through the fundamentally
of the Democratic party; and that, no
doubt, is why the Senator from Waldo
county imputes mercenary motives to its
leader and seeks to belittle its efforts in
behalf of the home, of law and order, and
of civic righteousness.
Senator Hanson said he only knew O.
one Temperance worker in Waldo county
and that was George E. Brackett-
of course he had never heard of M. J.
Dow of Brooks or Frank w. Gowen o
Montville-and he insinuated that hi
was not labor of love but for pecuniar.
gain. As secretary of the Grand Lodg'
of Good Templars for more than thirt.
We ars Mr.. Bracket received a salar,
"a small recompense for his un
renting and efficient labors; bu
for many years he has had no of
fetal connection with the order, AM
has been, ane is today, privat
citizen, carrying on printing bushes
as means of livelihood under disabilitie
that would confne most men to thei
home. Why should he be dragged be
fore the public as if his lifelong advo
cacy of temperance were crime?
There are many other things in thi
harangue which call for refutal and re
Duke, but space at this time will not per
init. The Portland Evening EXPIRES