Daily Kennebec journal., 1913-08-09
A Few Political Pointers.

A Few Political Pointers.
The frantic manner in which Demo
cratic leaders and newspaper organs
are tanning the sinking flames of Bul
Mooseism in Maine, is evidence
enough of the political temperature
which Mr.. Pattangall fears. That
astute politician has no such love fc-
Progressiveism and the men lifting
= hardest to raise the cause. that he
would assist them If they in any way
threatened his own chances.
The hope of the Third district
Democratic candidate for Congress
and those of his party who favor his
election, lies in saving, for the nomi-
nee of the Bull Moose convention at
Watervflle. as many as possible of the
votes of those who were turned from
the Republican party by Taft and
reciprocity.
Democratic advancement in Maine
can be made only over such roads as
were temporarily constructed in 1910
by the liquor interests, and in 1912 by
the Bull Moose movement.
The general awakening of Maine
protectionists to an infinitely greater
menace than reciprocity is promptly
recognized by Democratic leaders.
They are as frantically creating
smudge to becloud the political at
mosphere as they are to keep alive
spark of feeling between Republican
factions whose common interests are
opposed by Democracy.
Third district Democrats are on the
defensive in every sense of the word.
Their plan to create a Republican
Progressive disturbance during which
they could quietly collect the spoils of
war. has met disaster early.
Common recognition and acknowi-
edsemcnt by Progressives-even the
candidate himself-that the task they
undertook is hopeless one, knocked
all the betting odds off the Demo-
cratic hope.
Whereas, three weeks ago, Repubii-
cans were quite generally saying;
"Too bad; but don't see any possl-
BILE hope of defeating Patti" now the
complexion of the situation and the
tone of comment have completely
changed.
Today Democrats are saying:
don't see how we can beat Peters. The
Bull Moose movement has slumped
and Gould Democrats are sore and
ugly"
political situation may be fairly sum
married.:
- Peters Republicans aggressive and
confident.
Democrats disappointed and dis
eruntled.
Bull Moosers hopeless.
A Kennebec Progressive said,
Thursday. that he had not believed
until within a few days, it would be
possible to elect a Republican in the
Third district this fall; now he was
convinced that Mr.. Peters would be
elected. he should vote for the Ellis
worth gentleman because it was "the
only sensible thing for him to do in
the light of the striking difference
"between the Roosevelt vote in Mo-
vember and the Progressive vote in
the municipal elections;" he believe l
as many more had turned from the
Progressive cause since March as did
between November and March; if so,
their vote would not be enough, even
combined with the Democratic vote,
to defeat Mr.. Peters, and such pitiful
showing would but indicate a determ'-
nation on the part of few to sacri-
flee their own private interests 10
Democratic policies, il necessary, for
the sake of defeating the old Repub-
1ican party. Il do not care to "
counted as one of THAT number" he
concluded.
The Democratic tariff "for Euro
pesns revenue only" hits Maine hard
THE farmer, the manufacturer and tn
wage Garner now see the evil of
kesfish folly that placed minorit,
party, of Destructive instead q
CON structiye policies. in control.
The Maine farmer who placed h,
hope of handsome profit in a big fiel
Of potatoes last spring, now hopes t
realize the price of his fertilizer an
bug poison. The hated reciprocit
now sinks into insignificance befor
the larger danger.
While Democratic organs are grind
ing at the old tune about Maine corr
Western corn and Southern corn, =
noring the larger interests Of Main