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

! the speaker and the president with full
power to decide all questions OF law,
evidence and procedure without appeal.
IL fell to Mr.. Peters to make all rulings
as TO law and evidence on this extraordi-
nary occasion, almost without precedent
in the history OF the State. For two
weeks, during the trial OF three sheriffs
and one couuty-attorney, he presided at
three sessions day without a moments
absence, and the fairness, clearness and
correctness OF his rulings were recognized
by every body as remarkable.
PTrrEp AGAINST PATTI.
1t il interesting TO remember that his
democratic opponent in this election, ex-
Attorney General William II. Pattangall,
was principal counsel for the respondents
in three OF the four cases, and in another
which did not come TO trial. MIR. Pattan-
gall, in his ceaseless and ingenious &C.
tiyity in behalf of his client, was con-
stantly raising objections to the speakers
rulings, and frequently appealing from
the same, or trying to appeal to the con-
yention, without result.
Echoes OF that contest were recently
heard in the supreme judicial courtroom
at Portland before the law court, and the
scene was revived, memorable in the his
tory Of the State, in which Mr.. Peters and
Mr.. Pattangall were the two principal
figures, upon whom was fixed the atten-
ton OF the whole State.
Ii can be safely said that each came out
with a wholesome respect for the ability
and courage of the other. This remarka-
BILE record is winning Mr.. Peters some
very fiattering offers of support among
the progressives OF the third district who
desire to see the democratic candidate de-
feated.
RELUCTANT CANDIDATE.
Mr.. Peters became a candidate for Con-
gress only after an entire afternoon of
entreaty ON the part Of his party associ-
ates, which would have won consent from
a weaker man in half minute. He went
to Augusta to counsel with other members
Of his party, to canvass the situation, dis
cover the wishes OF the district and secure
q candidate who could pull the full party
strength, and was drafted himself.
Once he affixed his signature to the
nominating petitions, however, all signs
OF hesitation and reluctance vanished. He
promptly served notice on those who had
gat hered that he expected them to get in
to the fight to win; that he would do his
best; would expect them to do theirs and
to put punch into doing 1t.
The campaign was opened with rush.
In three days Mr.. Peters had filed petit
tions sufficient to insure that his name
would appear on the primary ballot, had
held half a hundred conferences with
friends throughout the district; had made
many peace overtures to the progressive
party; had declared publicly that he
would not enter into campaign OF per-
sonalities; had prepared several letters
and pamphlets, and had generally so con-
Quoted himself as to assure the men who
had called upon him to bear the party
standard that he intended to make strenu-
Gus work OF 1t.
John Andrew Peters, in addition to be-
ing human dynamo when engaged in
| political contest, il very human sort OF
fellow In other ways. When 1t became
evident that he was to be the candidate 1t
was the duty OF the newspaper men to dig
M biographical sketch from some OF the
numerous books OF biography that have
made their appearance in recent years.
Every one OF them contained ths informs-
tiop that he was born in 1854, had bssn