Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-03-03
PROCRESS|VES
Choose {. M. Thompson as
Candidate for Mayor.
Third Party In Augusta Political
FieId--AII Petitions Filed.
E. N. Thompson Wakes a Splendid
Speech Of Acceptance..Tickets.

self preservation, if you please" de-
elared Charles A. Milliken. us what we
are gathered here for" And for the first
time since the days when the Citizens
ticket invaded the field of Augusta poll
ties headed by Seth c. Whitehouse, is the
hitherto smooth rivalry of the Republic
can and Democratic parties ruffied by the
appearance of stranger. The Progress
sive party of Augusta was born, Saturday
night, at City hall, when L. NJ. Thomp-
son was nominated by petition of 30 Pro-
gressives of the city as its candidate for
mayor. and ward tickets were also adopt
ed by petition.
The Progressive party obtains its birth
right through the medium of petitions, as
it did not participate in the municipal
election of 1912, so was not empowered
to hold a caucus as a political party. Ac-
eording to the laws of the city
25 voters of each ward must sign a petit
ton in order to put a ward ticket IT. the
field, and rs voters in the city at large
must sign the petition for the head of the
ticket. These petitions. the progressves
filed with City Clerk +. E, Newbert. sat
nrday night. and became a political par
ty i'm reality.
Not a little encouragement was offered
to the party leaders, when it was disco
cred that a majority was needed to elect
instead of a plurality, was -the gen.
eral suppositon among candidates of all
the political parties in the field Some
Progressive, however had his doubts,
and proceeded to make sure. with the
foregoing result. 1t developed that in the
Of no ole no ballot
two more ballots would be held. and on
the third only would the plurality rule.
Even if we fail on the first two" said
Mr.. Dunnack, then we're sure to win
on the third.
e. M. Thompson.
Il. NJ. Thompson. the unanimous choice
of the party, in a speech of acceptance
in a few well-chosen words expressed his
thankfulness for the honor which had
been thrust upon him unsought. He gave
the reasons why the Progressive party is
in the field. He explained to his audience
the issues as he sees them. He declared
the Progressive party stood for the gov
erning of human interests. while the 9TH
er parties stood for the governing OF
property interests.
He proclaimed his policy, if elected,
would be one of eminent right and JUS
tice. He would do all in his power for
the adjustment of party lines. and would
give. as near as possible, Il non-partisan
administration. He believed the East and
West highway districts should be COM
bned and should be under the supervision
of one commissioner instead of two. He
declared his policy would be economy in
the strictest sense, to scan every appro-
priation with criticizing eyes, to tighten
the burden of the taxpayer as far us was
in his power.
1.-THE Progressive party has come to
stay" declared Mr. Thompson. 1T has
come to stay because it is founded on
rock. 1t has come to stay because it is
founded on the principle of truth and jus
tice Let the bout be called but let there
be no hitting below the belt
Rev II. f. Dunnack was called and at
first seemed to be somewhat bashful
about appearing before so large a coterie
of listeners or perhaps it was because
Mr.. THOMPSON had said all there was to
say. He finally overcame his bashfulness
and consented to say few words. His
speech was a reiteration of Mr.. Thomp-
sons. A. NJ Goddard spoke briefly.
1t was announced that the real guns
in the Progressive campaign will be fired,
Friday. March Z, when a grand Progress
sive rally will be held in City hall.