Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-12-11
1t Was Progressive If Ever One
Was Written, Says Hon. Carl
E. Milliken, in a Letter to
The Progressives.
Any Action Defeating The Carrying Out Of Those
Promises Will Be Disastrous.
Island Falls, Maine, Dec 7, 1912.
Mcssrs. Charles s. Hichborn,
Athill E. Irving.
Henry f. Dunnack.

l.
Gentlemen
have just received your Nov and hasten
to reply.
Like yourselves Progressive, and heartily join in
your protest against the legislative program announced by the
socaed State Committee of the Progressive Party the
Bangor meeting.
Before the September election distinctly understood
that Progressve Regular Republicans should together
in the State Election for the purpose of putting end Dem
oeratic msule in Maine and carrying into effect in the
Legislature the promises of the Bangor platform which
progressive platform if adopted by political
party.
If had thought inconsistent these conditions, for
Progressive stand for election the Legislature should
have resigned from the Republican ticket Two would
then have been open either stand for election
Progressive, not to be a candidate at ALL
With the distinct understanding which prevailed however
before the September election regarded perfectly
for Progressive be elected to the Legislature the
Republican ticket accepted such election through the
OF Progresves Regular Republicans Having
done in honor bound regard myself "Repubi-
can for the purposes of this legislature attend Republican
with all others who like myself elected the
Republican ticket and cooperate with them for carrying
all the pledges OF the Bangor platform.
This where condition arisen since the
September election The Progressive Party this
being the Portland meeting late in July Progressves
definitely considered the alternative running separate ticket
September OF joining with Regular Republicans elect
the Republican ticket the platform of opposition
democracy Having distinctly decided NOT separate
tickets in September bound by all the rules of
honesty and decency try make parties in the
Legislature Otherwise member who himself
Progressive Regular Republican for the purpose of
forming separate party units under those this Legs
aVe has taken the of either the Progressve the Reg
ulars in his district under false pretenes Each mans
tuents doubtless knew whether he Progressive Reg
ular when they voted for him. That the point The
point is that single county legislative district in this
State elected to the Legislature in separate
Progressive Regular party organization during the coming
session OF the Legislature.
As candidate for election September | promised if
elected the Maine Legislature, for the candidate for
u s. Senator who nominated in the Republican primaries
in June, namely Hon. Edwin c. Bureigh Every candidate for
the Legislature the Republican ticket made the promise
either expressly did the stump by implication through
allowing his remain the Republican ticket For this
purpose merely delegate the Legislature to register
the choice already expressed by the people the primary cleo
ton For do otherwise would be not only to break
plain promise those who voted for but also be
you well point your letter. to of the funda
ideas of the Progressive Party obedience the will of
the people expressed in the direct primary
Perhaps great length have outlined above both my
position this important matter and the for taking it.
recognize that to great extent this question must be decided
by each individual accordance with his judgment and
the dictates of his individual conscience Brief experience
political life if has taught nothing else has made
tolerant Of those who disagree with do not wish to be
understood assuming criticize the motives of any Pro-
gressves elected to the Legislature who reach opinion
different from mine.
not however, resist the suggestion that in this life OF
purity Of motive, while may excupate the individual,
prevent the evil consequences of any action Some
years ago far from here clean fine honorable young fell
low shot his friend in the woods mistakng him for deer
His good intentions restore his friend to life
SO Progressive member of the incoming Legislature who