Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-10-19
A Question and An Answer.
October Il, 1912.

October IL 1872
Editor Kennebec journal:
Dear Sir: September 18th l sent you
and each other Republican member of
the incoming Legislature a letter relat-
ing to my candidacy for Attorney Cen
eral. That letter was given wide pub
LEFTY.
There is one question which many Re-
publicans, personally friendly to me,
have asked and that I desire to answer
once and for all. l believe l can do
this by stating that question as asked
me by a Washington county friend and
repeating my answer to him.
@. How do you expect to get the sup
port of us Taft men when you say you
are going to vote for the king of bolters'
a. / am am not Expecting Republicans
Taft men as you call them. to hand me
out the office of Attorney General as a
bouquet in token of their regard for the
Progressive support to the Republican
ticket, which alone made possible the
election of a Republican Governor. Sen
ate and House. | am not in any way
entitled to such reward, and / ask
expect Republicans to ask the question
that you have asked until after Novem-
Der 5th, and with equal assurance | am
expecting after the smoke OF that battle
has cleared away and my claims are I'M
der consideration that my candidacy
will be taken upon its merits according
to my qualification for the office ! seek.
Unless Scott Wilson, a brother attorney
of mine in Portland, who is now the only
other candidate, takes a more definite
political position / do not see how he
will have any advantage over me be-
cause / am a Progressive and declare 1t.
Thus far he does not publicly express
his politics. ! am informed he attends
Progressive rallies, standing well back
and hovers about Republican confer
ences. 1t seems he would have Progress
sives believe him sympathetic and Re
pubicans confide in his loyalty. If he
continues this policy ] have enough I'M
adulterated faith in human nature TO
expect even an ardent Republican like
you to prefer a man who fought in the
Progressive ranks to a camp follower of
both armies
You know me and have your idea of
the kind of an Attorney General ] would
make. If YOU believe that | would per
form all the duties and exercise all the
powers of that office faithfully, impair
tally and for the advancement ana pene,
fit of the whole people of Maine and
you want that kind of an Attorney Gem
eral, then because of that belief ana
desire and for no other reason shall
expect and | ask you to take your coat
off and help elect me. If your kepuDh-
can zeal will not permit you to look at
this fairly now, then place the question
on the table until you are IN frame OF
mind where you can consider this mat
ter as a six foot. red blooded. double
listed, down east Yankee should
| believe that I comprehend the pres
ent situation in the contest between my
brother Wilson and me. The represen-
tation that Mr. Wilson has everything
buttoned up is without foundation. The
actual situation at this time is a MA
JORITY of all members of the incoming
Legislature elected as Republicans ARE
NOT PLEDGED to any candidate Tor
Attorney General. A large number of
them prefer to not pledge themselves
until after they reach Augusta IN jan
uary Mr. Wilson has a few pledged to
support him. They are widely scattered
and well located to give him great as
| sistance if county delegations observe
| the unit rule in voting. This and the
| long time potent powers interested IN
| his success makes him strong candi-
| date 1t now seems that the cohtesl
may be very close and the outcome can
not be predicted. This statement must
appeal to your political Judgment as
being highly probable. 1t is based upon
! letters / have received from members OF
| the incoming Legislature.
| | respectfully submit the proposition
that the office of Attorney General Is
too important to the people of Maine
, for member of the Legislature to sur
render his Judgment as to fitness and
/ qualification of any candidate for that
office to the county unit rule.
| Yours very sincerely.
/ FREDERICK A. HOBBS