Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-01-18
A Question of Fair Play.

Our Republican friends profess to
be perfectly sure that the eonstitu-
ton of Maine does not bar post
masters from membership in the
Maine legislature. They say that the
meaning of the constitution is so
plainly in accordance with their in
depreciation of it that there is no
room for argument. Why then are
they reluctant to permit the question
to be referred to the Supreme court?
If they are certain that the court must
decide in their favor. they have moth
ing to fear from the reference. They
have had much to say bout fair play.
Here is a chance for them to play
fair.--Waterville Sentinel.
We are glad that the personally
conducted organ of Boss Pattangall
has placed itself on this matter. 1t
is. obviously, tactical blunder
through an overweening desire to de
ceivef its readers.
Let us make it plain to those of our
readers who also have the reading or
hear from the Rattangall organ. that
the order was introduced by Republi
eans-by Roy L. Marston of Skowhe-
garland it is the Republican purpose
to fight this matter through and have
it settled right. once and for all. It
was after Democratic conference
that the minority, aided by men claim
ing to be Progressives tabled ii, for
purely political reasons.
Meanwhile the citizens of Hart
land, St Adams, Canaan, Har-
mony. Cambridge and Ripley are
disfranchised. They were not al
lowed expression in the vote for
United States senator. although their
sentiment is well known. The repre-
sentative from this class may sit and
listen to debates but he may not vote.
Precisely the same influence that in
troduced the order high handedly UNI
seating members of opposing political
faith, is preventing the order refer
ring the matter to the Supreme Court
from being passed.
So far las Representative Farrar is
concerned the objection is removed
by his resignation as postmaster and
its acceptance by the Post Office De-
partment. Yet he is debarred from
voting on the most important question
TO come before the session. The dis
franchisement of the constituents of
Representative Farrar is as base and
domineering piece of political col
fusion and jockeying as ever dis
graced the annals of the State Its
justification is a deliberate denial of
Justice.
1t has been suggested in debate that
in order to obtain an opinion from the
supreme court it will be necessary to
postpone action on the motion to re-
consider the vote whereby Represen-
tative E'arrar's seat was declared va
cant. The reason assigned is that if
he were now reinstated, then, since
the postmasters, including Mr.. Farrar
have resigned the court would decline
TO pass upon the question of their
right to membership as that would no
longer be involved This is certain
ly an amazing argument. The propo-
sition is to withhold from Mr.. Far
Tar his constitutional rights for
weeks TO come merely that a case may
be presented to the supreme court!
The case of Representative Mathieson.
who has not resigned as postmaster,
affords ample material for the presen-
tation of a proper case TO the court.
The lawyers of the House are entire
~ capable of framing the issue prop
erly.
The only intelligent, honest and
sentative Farrar TO his right-now
that the only objection to him is re-
pretense to the Supreme Court for
decision.
The Pattangall organ calls for fair
play and we desire 10 nail 1t with
It's own deceit. BY all means refer
the issue 10 the court at once, first
restoring Representative Farrar to his
rights as the representative Of several
townships. He has as much right to
vote as has Representative Otis II.
Taylor of Topsfield, who resigned his