Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-09-16
THIRD DISTRICT ELECTION
GUN HEARD EVERYWHERE.
Newspapers Rejoice in Its Prom
Use While Democrats Join to Prove Not
Significant--4ou Spokane
AndSt Louis Opinions.

Democracy's crescendo cry ever since
the Third District election has been;
It's not a rebuke to the Wilson ad-
ministration! Its Importance is gross
ly exaggerated by New England news
papers,"
And, as in absolute refutation of
their claims, there comes an ava
lanche of publicity from Florida, from
California, from Oregon and Wash
ington, from Missouri and score of
other states in all parts of the ma
ton.
Not a rebuke? Then why did the
Wilson, Bryan forces inject their
heaviest batteries openly into the con-
test to prevent the defeat of Demo-
cracy? Why was the tariff made the
only real issue of the campaign? Not
of Importance? Then why have the
leading newspapers Of the country
given generously of their most valua-
BILE space to comment upon the result
of an election in little territory COM
prised by some 5000 cquare miles
Away out in the state of Washing
ton they awaited the result and char
acterized it as THE first gun in the
campaign.
Read what the Spokesman Review
has to say:
No Cheer in This for Democrats.
C"Spok es man. Review = spokane, WASH
ington.l
The fist gun in the congressional cam
paign of 1914 has been fired. 1t brings no
cheer to the assailants of the American
policy of protection To American lhdus-
tries and workers. The Republlcah nofih-
nee for successor 10 me hepuoilcdni
of the Third Congressional
District of Maine who recently died. is
elected with a plurality OF ao3 at this
writing over the Democratic nominee.
Last November, when me pros st saN,e
win, the Repubican nominee, ms plu-
rality over his Democratic competitor
was only 70a. This month. when the fro-
gressives had a nominee of their own.
the Republican $ plurality is only 256 less.
Last autumn the Republican vote FOR
representative was f,22l; but this All
tumn the Republican and the Progress
cratic vote for representative in 1912 was
1882, but in 1913 il is only li555.
The changes in the totals are suscepti-
BILE of only one honest interpretation
The contest was waged fully and square
ly on the issue between free trade and
protection. The election was the first,
except one in Massachusetts this year.
that has been held Tor a representative
of congressional district since the Tn
derwood- Simmons free trade bill began
to be. The Democrats strained every
nerve to carry this Maine district, send
ing men there of such national authority
i'm their party as Secretary Bryan and
Speaker Clark rs Spokesman of the Viii
son administration
But the people of this district. of
the finest in Maine and Astounding with
diversified industries and interests, be-
lieve that the bill threatens the prosperi
ty of their farms and forests and mills
They turned out to the number of over
i6. eco voters this time. as against "a. S22
last time III the congressional campaign
and registered the protest of a great ma
ority against the measure. The result is
Indicative of sentiment in the productive
districts of every northern state along
the Canadian border.