The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-08-26
MAINE ELECTION
BADLY BEFOGGEO
Tariff and Purely Local Ques-
tons Are Being Dis
cussed.
REPUBLICANS ARE SPLIT
Democrats May BE Aided by
Strength OF Progressive
Ticket.

Bath Maine August 25.-AIaine viii
name her choice for United STATES
Senator. elect a Governor. Congress-
mon. both branches Of the Legislature
and county officials ON September
Consequently tho September election in
Maine means much in sizing up the
general situation.
'hhl two years ago Maine was con-
siderdo solidly Republican. and the
change in sentiment was noted by the
increase or decrease OF the Size of her
maJorities. Two years ago the Dem
ocrais carried the State. electing the
poNcrpor, two Corgressmcn, both
branches OF the Legislature and a large
majority of the county officers This
was not freak election. a surprise OF
landslide 1t was gradual charge.
In 1900 John +. HIN. Republican. led
ms Democratic OPPONENT. Samuel |.
Lord, by $4,000 votes IN 1907 Governor
mn was reelected over Samuel w
Gould by $4,000; In 1905 william r.
Nooo' republican. defeated cyrus W.
laws ny margin OF 26.0o0. in 1906
Governor Cobb was reelected over
Davis by only 5000 in 1905 Bert NJ
fernald defeated Obadiah Gardner by
100 and in 1910 Frederic w Plaistcd
carried the State by vote of 5000
against Fernald's $4,000
The Democrats are in ,,ower ana
nave the machinery of government at
lneir command They realize. that
should they be turned down by the
voters as Incompetent and unsatisfac-
tory 1t would likely bo years before
they could return TO power This is
not ali they are fighting for. however,
Tor in November comes the national
election. ana the Democratic party In
Maine feels certain that the vinnins
OF the state In September Will without
doubt mean that they VIII land the SIN
electoral votes OF Maine for Wilson
in November.
On the other hand. the Republicans.
chagrlned at their loss of power, are
anxious once more 10 occupy positions
in the seats OF the mighty. New COM
pllcations have entered into this cam
p2iEn. too. and most OF them are adj
verse to the Republican cause. The
prohibition sentiment throughout the
state. which has always becn great
asset of the Republicans. has weak
cned. as was shown in the contest over
the retention OF the prohibitory amend
ment TO the Constitution, which was
fought year ago ana won By very
small margin. All Maine cities gave
bis majoritics against it, and the feel
ing for local option IS strong in many
parts of the State.
The advent OF he Bull Moose party
is hailed with delight by the Demo
Gratis 1t has caused split in Repub-
lean ranks so wide that even party
leaders admit that there are strong
proba bilities that the Roosevelt ticket
Will nnlf "a ha.
straight Republican ticket and proba-
bly, give Names electoral votes to the
Democratic candidate.
The contest for United states Sena-
tor is between Edwin c. Burle!gh who
represented the Third Maine District
IN Congress Tor many years. and the
present Democratic Senator. obadiah
Gardner who was named iast spring
to succeed William =. Frye. For many
Years Mr.. Gardner was master OF the
state Grange There probably IS no
man in Maine so well known through
out the rural section OF the State as
Senator Gardner and the feeling is
That he has made good during the
brief time he has been In Washington.
In the First District Tom Reeds old
district. Asher - Kinds IS opposed by
Michael T.. O'Hrien. VINO is "a good
lighter, but not likely to defeat MIR.
iiihds IN TN second. the district
which was represented by Frye, Ding
ley and Littlefeid. the Republican can
dldatc is William y. Shelton. OF Lewis
ton. former state bank examiner.
and one of the shrewdest politicians In
the district. lie is after the scalp of
Congressman Daniel j. McGnncuddy,
and 1t viii be pretty contest, with
the result at present hard to deter
mine In the Third District Congress
man Samuel w Gould is lighting Forest
Goodwin. of skowhegan. In the Fourth
District the contest lies between John
y. Madigan. who will contest the seat
now held by t. f. Guernsey. The
Democrats hope to carry Aroostook
County, which IS near the Canadian
border. The farmers We're so incensed
with President Taft over the proposed
reciprocity measure that the Demo
Gratis believe they will capture hum
dreds OF votes