Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-07-11
OPEN LETTER
From Mr.. Peters to Voters of the
Third Congressional District.
Ellsworth, Maine. July .. ls1


To the Voters OF the Third Congress
sional District:
Last fall you elected Hon. Forrest
Goodwin, OF. Skowhegap, your represent
tative in Congress His untimely death
has rendered necessary a special cleo
ton to fill the vacancy.
The old system of nominating candi-
dates for office by caueuses and con-
ventions having been abolished. the
people will have the right and it will
be their duty, on July %, at a primary
election. held by the Republican and
Democratic parties. to nominate candi-
dates to be voted for on Sept. s.
You will find my name on the pri-
mary ballot as one of the candidates
for the nomination on the Republican
ticket. You have right TO know why
my name is there and my attitude tow
ard the matter.
The reason my name is on the pr1-
nary ballot is because / received So
many requests from various parts of
the district urging me to become a
candidate that it seemed TO be my duty
20 run. / have not sought the nomina-
ton. IT would be great hardship to
me personally to have it; but ! realize
| IIldt SOiilttlGltS ItISOildi
must he sacrificed to what appears, at
least to be public duty, and, If at
the primaries. the people indicate de-
sire that | should be the candidate to
oppose the Democrats, | am prepared
to accept.
| shall make no contest for the nomi-
nation. So far as / am concerned. you
will exercise your unbiased judgment,
as you ought to, without attempt ON my
part to influence or prejudice.
| have seen a suggestion in some pa
ners that there was some coercion or
dietation used at the meeting in All
slsta, when | was prevailed upon 10
accept and sign nomination papers. me
only coercion or dietation of which
have been conscious is sense OF duty
and my own conscience, and / recog-
nize no 0tner.
If / receive your nomination. how
ever [ am prepared to make an active
and aggressive campaign from start to
finish If the men in the district, VINO
believe as / do, will stand with me,
shall have the honor of representing
you ir Congress.
/ am violently opposed to the present
tariff policy of the Democrats, which Is
admittedly detrimental to the business
interests of this district. The last Mo-
yember election shows that large
majority of the voters in what is now,
this district hold the same view.
Under these circumstances there is
no good reason why Democrat should
be permitted to represent minority
only of our voters. AS only Two pri-
maries are possible, the Republican ana
the Democratic man should be NOM
mated who can best unite all anti-Dem-
ocratic strength.
One candidate only should finally be
agreed upon to oppose the Democrats
If more than one candidate is nominate
ed the one who can poll the most votes
should be voted for. Our strength
should not BE- divided.
7 believe that the man to be voted
for by the Democratic strength
should be the nominee at a primary
election. No man without the hacking
of a primary nomination by the people
il going to be elected. Whoever you
nominate. / shall be content. because
it will be your verdict. Let us regard
n vote at the primaries as a pledge OF
active support later on when the real
fight begins.
II seems to me time when all men
who think alike should stand together,
and we should not be Invested OF our
rights by any misunderstanding or
,lifferences less than fundamental
JOHN A. PETERS.