Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-09-30
Editorial Comment
Meaning of the Third District Victory.

Qresque Isle star Herald.)
For many years no election has been
held in Maine to which SO mueh sishl-
ficanee has been attached by STATE
and National politicians as the one
just held in the Third Congressional
District of this State to choose
successor to the late Congressman
Goodwin. 1t was significant because
of its vital relation as an index OF
popular sentiment. to the pending
Democratic Free Tariff Act and other
disclosed policies and tendencies OF
that party, and also because of Its
bearing upon the status and future
of the two factions into which the
Republican party is now divided
In the three cornered fight each
party fought desperately to win the
victory, since victory meant so mueh
to the winner as a party asset, JudS-
ing from the figures and circumstances
of the election which sent Mr.. Good :
win to Congress, the odds were all
with the administration in the recent
fight
In the regular election there was d
waving for the time being OF their
differences and ProSressives and Re-
publieans made a united and earnest
effort to elect Goodwin, yet his mar
gin was a narrow one. On that ocea-
sion the Republicans polled 11,229,
while the Democratic vote for Mr..
Gould was 1852.
In the campaign just closed the
Progressive party put a candidate OF
much personal strength into the
field. and his claims and the claims
Of his party were advocated on the
stump by leaders of national ability
and influence. The Democratic ad-
ministra ton, frankly admitting ITS
great stake in the result also bent
every energy to secure popular en-
dorsement by the election of its can
didate. President Wilson proclaimed
this interest in an open letter approx
ing the Democratic candidate, anu
later Speaker Champ Clark and See
rotary of State Bryan threw the
weight of their influence into the
scale by coming into the District anu
each making a ..whirlwind canvass
of the field.
rock-ribbed section of good old
Maine listened to the Whirlwind ora
tory, and the entertainment of being
appealed to by small army OF more
or less distinguished leaders, anu
then. Monday, they calmly rendered
their verdict. and the long and short
of it is a positive and unmistakabie
condemnation of Democratic Free
Trade.
1t is a glorious result. and one that
every man of Maine who feels the
blight on our State of approachihs
Democratic Free Trade will rejoice
in. 1t is the forerunner of nation
vide condemnation of the STUBBORN
folly of Wilson. as embodied in an act
which has crystallized. his schooimas-
ter theories into Law.
Every Aroostook Republican whom
Taft reciprocity alienated for the
time being and made a Progressive,
is heartily glad of the result, and
feels that the victory of the Republi-
can candidate was righteous one.
We. up here in Maine. were most of
us Republicans long before Progress
SiYeneSS stirred the air up TINS way
Anti Taft sentiment and the hue and
cry of Insurgency of different brands,
no doubt much of it justified, turned
our heads, but in the calm that sue
ceeds the storm, looking ourselves
over we find our feet still rooted III
the same old soil, with the whole
tree inclined in the same old direc-
ton and disposed to bear the same
old fruit.
In the result of this election we see
much more than a ray of hope--we
see assurance of reunited new Re-
publican party, party broadenea'
strengthened and benefitedY by the
wholesome experience of adversely II
is passing through.