Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-06-14
AN OPPORTUNITY FOR
THE NEW PRIMARIES.

| Whether or not the new primaries
lwiIl attract more participants and
lmoEe Intelligent participation in the
selection of candidates than did those
to which we have been long aecus-
toned is doubtful. But what they aim
al is desirable and is a promising spe-
eiac for many Of our political ills.
Nevertheless we in Maine, at least,
did fairly well with eaucuses and con-
lvention. And we shall be more than
abundantIy satisfied if under the new,
we do as well as under the old meth
DDS. From the latter were evolved
such Governors as Washburn. Cham
berlain, Common, Robbie, Cleaves. Pow
ers. Cobb and their compeers and such
representatives at Washington as
Evans. Paris. Bradbury. Hamlin. Fes-
sender. Morrill,, Blaine, Hale, Frye,
Reed. Dingley, Lfttlefieid Burleigh and
others-a galaxy of statesmen VINO
placed Maine ia the front rank of the
National Council giving her prestige
and power far out of proportion To her
population and wealth. That prestige
and position is largely lost now. Time
and its changes and political Vicissi-
tudes have robbed the State OF much
that attracted attention and COM
manded respect from those won't to
look to her for leadership and counsel
That prestige Of Maine at Washing
ton was due OF course in great meas
IRE to the natural ability and adapta-
bility for such positions and respon-
sibilities upon the part of her chosen
representatives. Rut scarcely less was
the fact of the experience they were
enabled to acquire through the intelh-
gence OF constituencies that appreei-
ated The importance Of long service as
a factor In making useful representa-
tives in the National Legislature.
Fortunately Maine has an opportun-
ity to strengthen its representation b.
the selection of man for the Senate
who can take with him TO that body
the great usefulness acquired from
long service II is no disparagement
To any aspirant for that position to
say that none of them can in this par
ticular be compared with MIR. Bnrleigh.
When he first went TO Congress. ripe
with experience in public station
where he always served faithfully and
well. he found for his associates from
this State such men as Hale, Frye.
Reed. Dingley, Littlefeld. His natural
qualifications for such service made
him fit companion for such men.
Great as they were he was soon abb
to bear his full part of the burdens Of
a delegation that made our state fa-
NOUS. He knew that it is in doing,
much oftener than in talking. that
work is accomplished. and if some
were more brilliant as speakers, none
were more successful as workers than
was Edwin c. Bnrleigh in his new
field.
Mr.. Burleigh is now the only aspir-
ant for Congress in this State who
served her in company with thost
whose names were last recalled. And
that reason alone will influence many
men to support him for the Senate
But his great usefulness there, the
substantial service he rendered the
State while in Congress, so almost
universally recognized by the press o
the State will lead many others to
lend him their aid.
While AIR. Burleigh has long been
accustomed to position he has never
forgotten that he is of and from thu
people After election as well as be-
fore. i'm office as much as in his can
vass for office he remembers and
knows his obligations to the people,
and the plainest among us all is as
sure of a welcome at all times from
him as is the most wealthy or import
ant citizen from many of those who
think they were born for office. 1t i
a noteworthy fact that while Mr.. Bur
| leigh was i'm Congress no citizen from
Maine of whatever politics or in
whatsoever congressional district he
might live failed to find upon applca-
ton to him one who was ready to lis
ten and to aid in every proper under
| taking.
In tried. true, competent men like
Edwin c. Rurleigh the people Of
Maine may well place confidence. In
trusting such With power they will
make no mistake.
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