Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-08-13
Republican Situation in Somerset
There They Want HainGs--D in
Hancock the Old Order Chang
eth--Beginning Of Campaign.
UP IN SOMERSET.


The Kennebec Journals various cor
respondents in Somerset county have
given us much on political conditions
in that part of Maine, and what they
have said is repeated and reinforced
by the following from the Lewiston
Journals special writer at Skowhe-
gan:
Diligent inquiry among the Repub-
licans. who more or less openly voted
for Plaisted two years ago. has failed
to locate one that will not be back IN
the fold. Sept 9th. Without exception
they are thoroughly Disguised with his
failure TO make good and will do their
part towards redeeming the State.
There has never been any doubt
where old Somerset stands on the rum
question and with the present ticket
in the field. there isn't room for much
doubt regarding the result of the state
election.
The people of Somerset county know
Bill Iaines. They have watched his
hong and successful business career,
and believe that his administration
They are after man that viii try to
develop Maine instead of flooding the
state with rum. and Haines' record is
sufficient guarantee that he will make
good
Another factor in dashng the hopes
of good many misguided Democrats
will be the Hon. Forrest Goodwin OF
Skow hegan.. Known al over the coun-
tw with warm friends in every ham
let, he will get not only his own party
vote. hut a whole lot of split tickets
too The senatorial and Legislative
nominations throughout the county are
also particularly strong but the thing
that will really start the landslide. is
the colossal blupder made by the
Democrats in turning down Sheriff
John A. Mooers.
More than ten years ago the voters
of Somerset county made up their
minds that they were going to have
the prohibitory law enforced, if they
could find the man to do IL. Three
times since this has involved more or
less splitting tickets, and the tickets
have been split and then some. Fin
ally the enforcement sentiment became
so strong that in 1905 both candidates
for sheriff fairly Wed with each other
in pledging a strict enforcement of the
liquor law. John a, Mooers was elect
ed By small majority. Disregarding
long series of presidents, he actually
redeemed his prediction promises in
way that gladdened the Somerset
voters hearts. The county became as
dry's the proverbial covered bridge
After two years had rolled around
and Il came, time for the election of
1910. the people up this way began re-
vising their opinions of the Democrats.
They eoncilIded that if Sheriff Mooers
was Q typical member of the party, it
might flothe a bad idea TO put some
more ofStbcm into Office
Whom Plaisted came along ard said
on the stump, Look at Sheriff Mooers
He Is a Democrat Put us in office
aid you viii get the same brand OF
administration right through the
State. Why, the voters just took the
bait and swallowed il hook and line
But while they We're electing the
whole ticket by a good majority. they
put a special stamp of approval or
Sheriff Mooers by giving him 500 more
votes than they did the Governor The
sheriff has since continued the ever
tenor Of his ways. to me complete dis
conifiture of the actual and wauld-bt
rum sellers.
Early in the now famous resubmis
sion campaign, the Democratic chief
taina summoned Sheriff Mooers to Wa
terviiie. They told him that ever,
loyal Democrat was expected TO worl
for veg vote, and sustain the part,
contention that the law Couldn't b
enforced
Nov sheriff Mooers had been enforc
ins The law for more than two years
and with every passing month hai
feBta the task growing easier Ais
he knew Just about where the voter
Of Somerset county would stand o
Continued on Page Fiye)