Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1912-03-27
Correspondence.
Republican State Convention.
MT. DISSENT. Me, March %, 1912

To the Editor Of the American:
There are many reasons why men OF
thoughtfulness and good understanding
should attend as delegates to the republic
can state convention at Bangor next
month. As this convention does not
nominate candidate for governor, there
is danger that the importance Of its work
will not be fully appreciated by the mass
OF oar voters.
But | believe that never since the days
OF the Civil war have the republicans of
Maine been in a position requiring so
much esrnestness OF thought, loyalty of
purpose and consistency of action as a,
the present time. And in all OF our pro-
ceedings in the coming convention we
must keep continually in mind that we
are dealing with situation which is new,
and in some things very different from the
past.
We are in the minority. The govern
ment is in the hands of our opponents.
And no ''mere boys play" will get ii
away from them. And very important
question to consider is how TO adjust our
selves and our work to the new situation
brought about by the new lsws-dircct
primary law and corrupt practices acts.
OF course it is uncertain whether these
laws will give US a better order of things.
But practically the sensjble course Is to
recognize the change, adapt ourselves TO
1t, and make earnest efforts to, adopt
such methods as will make the Law sue
cess.
We have the direct primary Law because
there was popular demand for Ii. Peo-
pie did not like the method OF nominal
ing candidates by conventions because
there was a feeling that the conventions
were manipulated by politicians, and
nominations made that were not salts
factory to the voters generally.
Bat II the object sought by the new law
is to be realized, then the mass OF voters
must attend the primary elections. But
how can they be induced to do sol And
right at this point we are met by this per-
picking situation: The direct primary
law makes q very large amount of work
necessary. The corrupt practices act
seems to prevent any practical way of do
ing it. And this is one Of the problems
which the convention must solve by put
| ting the best kind of men on the commit
tees.
But surely there will be much difference
OF opinion as to who are the best men for
committee work. Some will say: ''Seiect
men of experience and practical knowl-
edge of how to get out voters" Others
will say: ''Shut tbs old veterans up in
the barracks; man the guns with raw re-
cruits, and march ON to victory"
But it seems to me that we should all
agree that the committees should be made
up Of practical men, men who have the
confidence of the voters generally; and
also the good sense to see what the COM
mittees ought not to do. II seems to me
that it would be Q great mistake for the
commi tees to be very active in their et-
forts to nominate some particular set OF
candidates Many candidates are in tbs
field with the feeling that the nomina-
tions are to be made by the independent
action OF the voters, uninfiuenced by the
politicians or anyone else. But OF course
where there are many candidates there
will be many defeated and disappointed
incH. 1uceS il4cu anu inoiI ifituus WILL ID
asking the question: "Who defeated
uss" "Was il the voters acting indepen.
IDENTIFY, or is the machine still doing it,
work."
Much more might be written about tn,
matter of committees. But this. il
enough to call attention to the import.
ance of the subject. Another very import
ant work OF the convention is the making
. Of the platforms. The platform shoulG
state the party's ideals in unmistakabl,
terms.
Iwili not prolong this letter by discus
sing the details of the conventions work
But / hope that the republicans Of ever,
town in the county will understand tn,
great Importance OF its work, and sent
|, full delegations OF their best men.
II r. l.. GRIsDLE.