Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-07-04
Friday, July a, 1918.
Our Position.


With only two Republican eandi
dates before the primaries the Incl
dents of. the brief campaign seem Il
force us into choice between the two
before the nomination. 1t has beer
our desire and intention to avoit
placing one candidate before onothel
previous to selection by Republican
voters of the district, but the open let
ter published in an opposition paper
by one of the candidates, puts O diff.
ferent face upon the matter. We en-.
ter not to take part in any contest
between aspirants, but to correct sur
prising declarations that We deem I'M
complimentary to the Republicans OF
the Third district. unfair to Governor
Haines, unjust to the loyal friends OF
Hon. John A. Peters, and to Mr.. Pc
tiers himself.
We have had nothing but friendship
and admiration for Mr.. Roy {.
Haines. whom we have known since
his school days. At this time, however,
we feel that he has made serious
mistake by casting aspersions upon
the Governor, some of Names most
loyal Republicans, and upon his
friendly competitor before the prima
ries.. Such haste in assigning unfair
4.
motives to his friends does not befok-
en- the balance by which the Republic
can party desires to be represented
in the National House.
In the first place, John A. Peters is
not the cup-bearer of any ring" Re-
cent years, and particularly the last
six months, have given him a strong
place in the affection and confidence
Of the people of Maine. AS Speaker Of
the Maine House of Representatives
his absolute fairness and invariabie
ouare deal with friend or opponent,
became by-phrase at the Capitol and
throughout the State, among Demo-
Gratis and Progressives as well as Re-
publicans. He has not swerved from
this maxim of life to play part for
a "Kennebec Ring"-if there We're
such in the Republican party--or TO
defeat the aspirations of any other
candidate.
Mr.. Peters entered the contest at the
earnest insistence of his friends VINO
long ago recognized his ability and
character, and who determined to
seize the present opportunity to
thrust him to the front il possible.
That they had a moral and legal right
to do. Much as a younger man OF less
experience and distinction might be
admired, 1t is urged that the long
faitbfnl men of the ranks should have
as clear passage to promotion as
any other.
We do not see why the friends and
admirers Of Mr.. Peters from various
sections Of the State should be char
acterized as the 'Kennebec Ring.
The Augusta conference was not con-
fined to Kennebec Republicans. Ev-
cry county in the district was repre-
scented by stalwart members OF the
marty, and the decision to urge Mr.. Pc
tiers to enter the primary contest was
practically unanimous. even MT.
Haines displaying marked enthusiasm.
Considering these things our duty to
our clientele seems to advise recon-
mending Hon. John A. Peters Tor
nomination. He is man of marked
and widely recognized ability in this
and other states. He is a man OF
honor. fairness, experience, good judg-
ment and mental balance. He is a
man to command respect and atten-
ton in the National House. He is a
man OF whom Maine would be proud
az representative.