Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1913-07-30

Hon. John A. Peters, OF this city,
speaker OF the Maine house OF repre-
seniatives, and now candidate of the
republican party for representative in
Congress from the third Maine district, is
one OF the few men In politics OF whom it
can be truthfully said that he has had po-
litlcal honors thrust upon HIM against his
earnest protestations. He reluctantly be-
came a candidate for representative in the
legislature in 1905; was elected by large
majority, and served with distinction in
the session OF 1909.
In 1910 he was candidate TOR the usual
second term, and, though tho rest of the
ticket slumped badly because of dissatis-
faction with the liquor situation in some
and he took his seat after contest in the
legislature.
The session of 1911 found the democrats
IN the majority, aud thess republican,
forced 10 content Themselves with giving
him the complimentary vote OF the party
for speaker.
The two terms in the lower brsnch.had
been strenuous, and Mr. Peters returned
70 Ellsworth fully determined to give his
undivided attention to his law practice
and extensive business interests. But
early in the days OF the campaign OF 1912,
when delegation after delegation OF
nsighbors and friends waited upon him
aud urged that be permit his name to be
used again, arguing That lit would bring
great strength TO the ticket, he finally
consented. That he was distinct ele-
ment OF strength to his party is evidenced
by the fact that he ran far ahead Of his
ticket, was elected by a handsome ma
iority and helped materially to pull
through, with a single exception, the en-
tire county ticket.
On January l, 1918, he took his seat in
House that was nominslly repub lican by
a narrow margin, received the vote OF
every republican and progressive for
speaker, aid was elected. Almost imme-
diately some OF these members, who were
elected as republicans, chose to act with
the democrats, or independently, and
called themselves progressiyes.
A SAFE PILOT.
AT any time after this detection IL was
entirely within the rights and surely
within the power OF the actual majority
to have deposed Speaker Peters by simply
electing q successor. SO manifestly fair
and courteous was his conduct, and so
superior his ability as presiding officer,
however, that this action was never sug-
gested even by the most violent partisan
on the floor.
While small group OF progressives de-
taehed themselves from the republican
majority and acted with the democrats in
some cases, Mr.. Peters led the fight OF re-
pubiicans and progressives for all the i'm
portant advanced legislation, which was
favored by the republican platform at the
Eangor convention, including fine public
utilities and good roads bills, which
passed, and the workmen's compensation
act and woman suffrage amendment to the
constitution, which failed to pass.
When the legislators supposed that
they were nearly through with their
duties, the matter OF impeachment OF
sherifis was suddenly thrown into the
legislature by the governor, and by
force OF circumstance new and extra
ordinary responsibilities were thrust upon
the speaker Of tine House. The president
Of the Senate not being lawyer, the Gus
tom Of having the president OF the Sspats
preside over the joint convention vas
was modified, giving joint authority 70