Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-12-09
Democratic Scheminq.
portland Express-Advertiser9


1t is foreseen that the manly and
straightforward statement made by
Messrs Hichborn. Irving and Dunnack,
which was published in this newspaper
last evening, will call forth hystercal
opposition from some of the leaders
whose program these gentlemen oppose.
1t is to be presumed that the great
rank and file of men who voted the Pro-
gressive ticket in November We're animat-
ed by high motives, and acting up to the
best light that they had, believed they
were doing their duty as citizens in TAX
ing the course that they did. And there
is certainly no occasion for criticism of
men who did their public duty honestly
and periodically. 1t is safe to assume
further that these men have nothing
in common with the Democratic party.
However much they may feel that the
Republican party has fallen short of the
high ideals to which it ought to attain,
they are not so unwise as to reason that
their old time enemy, the Democratic
party, Isl as near reaching the high
standard They had set up as is the Re-
publcans; for it is evident from even
the most casual scanning of the Novem-
Der vote in Maine, that it is possible for
those who cherish the principles an
nounced by the Progressive party, both
to make the. nominations and to dictate
the policies of the Republican party
through the primaries and in convention
The fact cannot fail to have impressed
itself upon their minds that there Is pos
itively nothing to be gained for them by
any course which will promote the De-
mocracy. The urgent interest which the
Democratic papers are taking in their
efforts to lead the Progressives to make
a stand-up fight and continue the division
which manifested itself in the Republi-
can party in the November election, is
evidence enough to thinking man, of
the plan which the Democrats have in
mind, hoping that through this division
some measure of the spoils will come to
them To help the Democratic party to
reap the rewards of the State election,
or any part of them, which the people
emphatically denied them, would certain
ly merit the disapproval of almost the
entire body of men who voted for Roose-
welt and Johnson in this State in No
vember.
| Mr.. Hichborn and his associates MAKE
| their protest against the program whlcf
is the result OF let1Ottdlic SNi0iiiiie
| trusting that their fellows are as sin
| cere as they are themselves and over
looking one curious feature of the situa
| ton. 1t has happened by what stroke
| i'll fortune we are unable to say, tina
| when the name of almost any man wh'
| poses as leader of the Progressive
| movement in Maine is set down, thos
| who are at all familiar with the politlca
history of the State are able to set dow
opposite that name one or more polltlca
! disappointments which that hdiVloua
has undergone. Inability to achieve VIVA
has been desired for personal profit o
ACKNOWLEDGMENT in the Republican part
lshas in so many cases led to prominenc
and leadership in the Progressive part
as to warrant a careful examination Q
the political history of those leaders wit
, a view to getting some light upon the
activity.