Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-04-03
Maine Republican
State Convention.

The following letter to the oditor Of
the Ellsworth American is self-explan-
atory. En it there is much food for
consideration by men who have the in
terests of the state at heart.
NJ. Desert, Ne, March %. 1912.
To the Editor of tho Ellsworth Anleri-
can:
There are many reasons why men of
thoughtfuiness and good understand
ing should attend as delegates to the
republican state convention at Bangor
next month. As this convention does
not nominate a candidate for governor.
there is danger that the Importance of
its work will not be fully appreciated
by the mass of our voters.
But | believe that never since the
days of the civil war have the republic
cans of Maine been in position re-
uuiring SO much earnestness of
thought, loyalty of purpose and consis-
tency Of action as the present time.
And in all of our proceedings in the
coming convention we must keep con-
tinually in mind that we are dealing
with IA situation which is new. and in
some things very different from the
past.
ment is ia the hands of our opponents.
And no mere boys play will get it
away from them. And Il very import
ant question to consider is how to adj
just ourselves and our work 10 the new
situation brought about by the new
laws-direct primary law and corrupt
practises acts. OF course it is uncer-
tain whether these laws will give us a
- ~. Ill
the sensible course is to recognize the
change, adapt ourselves to it, and
make earnest efforts to adopt such
methods as will make the law sue
cess
We have the direct primary law be-
cause there was a popular demand for
il. People did not like the method of
nominating candidates by conventions
because there was a feeling that the
conventions Were manipulated by poll
tcians, and nominations MADE that
were not satisfactory to the voters
generally.
But if the object sought by the new
law is to be realized, then the mass of
voters must attend the primary cleo
lions. But how can they be induced to
do so? And right at this point We are
met by their perplexing situation: The
direct primary law makes a very large
amount of work necessary. The corrupt
practices act seems to prevent any
practical way of doing it. And this is
one Of the problems which the conVen
ton must solve by putting the best
kind of men on the committees.
But surely there will be much differ
enee OF opinion as to who are the best
men for committee work. Some Will
say. Select men OF experience and
practical knowledge of how TO get out
voters" Others will say: shut the
old veterans up in the barracks; man
the guns with raw recruits, and march
on To victory"
But it seems TO me that We should
all agree that the committees should
be made up of practical men, men who
have the confidence of the voters gen.
orally; and also the good sense to see
what the committees ought not TO do.
1t seems to me that it would be q
great mistake for the committees to be
very active in their efforts to nominate
some particular set of candidates.
Many candidates are in the field with
the feeling that the nominations are to
We lllftue ny the INDEPENDENT ni'tioi Vi
the voters, uninfuenced by the polite
ians or anyone else. But of course
where there are many candidates there
will be many defeated and disappointed
men. These men and their friends will
be asking the question: who defeated
u.s." WAS it the voters acting indie
pendently, or is the machine still do
ing its work.
Much more might be written about
the matter of committees. But this is
enough to call attention to the import
ance of the subject. Another very i'm
portant work of the convention is tho
making of the platform. The platform
should state the party's ideals in UNI
mstakable terms.
/ will not prolong this letter by dis
cussing the details of the conventions
work. But / hope that the republicans
of every town in the county will un-
derstand the great Importance of its
work. and send full delegations of their
best men.
r. L. GRINDLE.