Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-08-20


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son of their very size are able TO pro-
duce at a small percentage of cost. My
proposition would retain and stimulate
competition by Furnishing those who
try unlawfully to check it. The DEM
oeratie platform makers would further
check competition by striking the indie
pendent firms first"
McGiIicuddys Position.
Turning to newspaper report OF
Congressman McGillicuddy's speech at
Rumford Mr.. Shelton continued. Mr.,
MSGillicuddy processes to be very anX-
ious to know how | stand on the ma
tional issues involved in this campaign.
He is quoted in a morning paper as
having said at Rumford, last evening,
Re sure and vote fer your own nrin-
ciples regardless of party, but do not
vote for William Z. SHELTON before
you know the platform upon which he
stands Ny opponent is very ardent
independent in oxford county, he is a
very strong party man in Androscog-
gin county Among Republicans his
slogan is. split your ticket and vote for
me- Among Democrats he says, Don't
cut; YOU may spoil your ticket
But he wants to know the platform
upon which / stand. | am going to
tell him He and are both candidates
for Congress. whichever is elected will
have To act in the legislative branch
and on national issues. BY common
consent the most important of these is
to he the tariff. l stand for such a
tariff as will procure the gevenue nee
essary for government expenses and
at the same time afford such protec-
ton as shall offset the difference in
the cost of production here and abroad,
no more and no less. The Democratic
party stands upon a platform which
would raise the same revenue, impose
the same taxes in quantity, compel the
consumers to pay the same assess
nents, but so levied that they will not
afford any preference to American bus
mess men, American farmers and
American laborers. | would make 1t
possible to keep American wages on
plane that invites the laborers of 9th
err countries TO come here and become
American citizens. The Democratic
platform would not | would give the
American farmer the preference in our
own country. The Democratic platform
would not. The tariff tax must be
raised in any event, | would make 1t
protective, a help as well as a burden
The Democratic platform would make
it a burden without help. I would en-
courage foreign capital which wishes
to enjoy our markets to plant its i'll
dustries, employ its help and create
a market for the goods of other pro-
ducers here. The Democratic platform
would keep it abroad. where it can
avail itself of lower paid help.
THAT is my position on the great
question which the Democratic plat
form and Gov Wilson's letter of ae-
ceptance make the dominant issue in
this ampaign. the issue on which they
checked the nations prosperity in the
last Cleveland administration.
Il would now like to know how Mr..
McGillicuddy stands on this same
question. His party says protection is
unconstitutional and appeals to the
American people to support us in our
demand for a tariff for revenue only
Does MIR. MeCsiilicuddy stand en- this
platform? Would he vote to remove
the duty from lumber, and potatoes,
and hay. and the products of our mills
and factories? That is where his party
stands. If elected 20 Congress he Will
have to abide by it. But he is as nom
committal in this campaign in this
State as he was in 1896 when he bought
a ticket and went to Europe while his
party was fighting out the Free Silver
issue. Talk about evading the issues.
Talk about finding out what platform
man stands on. He is so anxious to
secure independent votes that you can
no more get him to commit himself on
4 question that has two sides to it
than his Steel Committee could really
satisfy itself as to what it proposed to
do after spending 2 year in investiga-
tions."
State Issues.
Mr. SHELTON closed with a brief dis
cussion of State finances and Demo-
cratic claims of economy. Gov Plaist-
ed at Saco last Saturday night told
his hearers that the Democrats had
saved money to the State by discon-
tinuing the rebate to the 3. & A. r. X.
| He said that 95 per cent of it's State
| tax was refunded by Fernald in 1910
and not one cent by him in 1911. Hi
| stopped right there and intended to
| leave the impression that he had ae-
| conplished that reform.
| THE fact is this rebate was granted
| in 1891 by vote of the Legislature in
| which all parties including As Demo
1 cratic members Joined 1t was granted
| for 90 years. 1t expired by limitation
| IN 1910. And that is why Mr.. Plaiste6
did not pay any of it back. And that i:
the part Of the story he neglected Il
| recite.
when the Governor of this great
State undertakes to secure his re
| election ON such deliberately mis-
leading statement as that he demon
strates the entire lack of confidence I,
| which his pretences are entitled. III,
| forgets every claim of candor, frank