Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-09-11
Editorial Comment
Asher C. Kinds.
portland Press. }

The recollection of Hon. Asher c.
Kinds by an Increased majority gives
unalloyed satisfaction to his friends,
not only in this district but all over
the country. The district owed 1t to
itself to do that and owed 1t TO the
State and nation. His defeat would
have been distinct public loss, AMI
the retention on his services reflects
credit on this corner of the land. Two
years ago he was one of the few sur
vivors of the Republican wreck, but
now he has goodly company of asso-
ciates in triumph. He entered the
campaign seriously handicapped by an
Illness that kept him from the stump
and out of active participation. In
that campaign his public record was
severely attacked by his opponent
and he was called standpatter, re-
dictionary and an enemy OF the people
He was unable to defend himsef,
and he had to depend on the good Will
of the people. They have not failed
him. They have shown by their
votes that they value the services o
such a representative and resent I'M
lust attacks upon him. They show
that they appreciated being represent
ed by a man OF his caliber, man OF
candor, honesty, courage, ability, eX-
perience and reputation. He has a
more than national reputation; ii Is
international. The author of Hlnds
Precedents is known abroad. AS stat
ed by Congressman Weeks of Massa-
chusetts when here last week, AM
bassador Bryce asked TO be introduced
to Mr.. Kinds in Washington sayihs
/ that he wished to meet him ana that
he had a great reputation in England
Mr.. Kinds is the leading parllameh~
| tartan of the world, and it would haV4
heen a great shame to exclude MN
from the American Parliament, wher
| he belongs.
Rut Mr.. Kinds is something more
than an expert in parliamentary law
be is a working and speaking legisla-
| for. In his brief term in the House
| he has looked after the interest OIL ms
| constituents and secured for this dis
| trict needed public improvements co9'-
| ing many thousand dollars. lie mas
| made his mark as a debater ana an IN
vestigator. He made what Is pro-
nounced the ablest speech IN the houss
| against Canadian reciprocity, anu ~
| contributed very able discussions u
| the sugar and cotton tariffs, pesiaes
serving on the special sugar ihVesti-
| eating committee. 1t is unfair u
| characterize him as non progressive
| for he is not. He is neither moe
| hound conservative nor a radical. ne
| is a moderate progressive. he ooeS
| not accept novel IDEAS hastily ana lo'
the sake of novelty, and does not az
cept them without careful eXamlnatloi
| and testing as to their merits. ha
| independence has been shown pN ms
| opposition to the administration py ~
reciprocity matter and in the stanu ~
took against the sugar trust.
There is another reason, anu
weiphty one, why this district coui'
not afford to lose the services OF MI
Kinds. and that is his wide acquaiii
tanee with public men of the couh.r,
and the respect and esteem IN Whici
I they hold him, regardless of party
Those who have come into the stat
| have testified to this, and the erect
II has been shown notably IN seVersi
instances in which he has expressed
wish for legislation Such an asse
If good will is very valuable. NOV
that election is assured and he is re
I;eyed from the worry and suspense
the canvass, there is every reason I
believe that Mr.. Kinds will regal
! health rapidly and be able to RESUME
his duties at the winter session.