Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-08-15

was the case when John A. Peters of
Ellsworth took his seat in the NATIONAL
Legislature to fill out the unexpiredl
term Of the late Forrest Goodwin.
Mr.. Peters has always been looked
upon as a skillful lawyer and an elo-l
quent speaker in his own State and hel
was naturally somewhat surprised to-
learn that reports Of his ability had
preceded him, for other congressman
sought his services on his arrival in
Washington and he has been invited
many times to give addresses on many
occasions, both patriotic and politicaLl
Mr.. Peters is a candidate for re-elec-i
ton from the third district and ID
seems that he will again be chosen tol
represent that section of Maine in the
National House. That he deserves to-
is shown by the way he has already
been honored by the members of that
body and others in Congress and by
the great interest he takes not onlyl
in his own section, but in the affairs'
of the whole State of Maine.
John A. Peters was born in Ellis |
worth, Aug 13, 1864, where he was edu-
Gated in the public schools and fitted
for college. graduating at Bowdoin ina
lege he was interested in literary work.
being managing editor of the Bowdoin1
Orient, the leading college publications.
He is now a member of the Board of
Overseers of the college and greatly
interested in Its welfare. On gradua-
ton he studied law in the office of thel
late Chief Justice Andrew Peters Wis
we'll, was admitted to the Bar in octo-I
Der 1887 and at the same time intol
partnership with Judge Wiswell ana
present Associate Justice King underj
the firm name of Wiswell, King and
Peters and practiced law as a memoeri
of that firm at Ellsworth until lssSl
when, upon the appointment of Judge1
Wiswell to the Supreme bench, the
firm was dissolved and Mr.. Peters mas
since continued the practice of law IN
Ellsworth. In 1898 he was appointed
iudae .of the Ellsworth Municipal court
and held that position until 1908, when
he declined a reappointment and was
elected to the State Legislature, IN
which he took a prominent part, serV-l
ing on the committee on judiciary. Hs
was reelected in 1910, although tina
rest of the ticket was defeated. IN
that year he was minority candioate
for Sneaker of the House receiving thS
unanimous vote of the Republicans.
Tn 1912 he did not desire a re-elec-
| ton. but was induced to become can.
didate, made an active campaign ana
was elected by a large majority. do
was chosen Speaker of the House OF
REPRESENTATIVES,, receiving all the votes
of the Republicans and ProgresAVess
During the stormy session of the Leg
| islature In the winter of 1913 his at
titude as Speaker of the House was
marked by absolute fairness and I'M
ma rtialitv and 1t was said by his polit-
ical oponents. as well as political ao1
hare,ts that he administered the az
| fairs Of the office with ability and dls-
| tinction.
Az the President of the Senate was
not trained in the law, most OF the
work of presiding over the JOINT SEES
sion Of the Senate and House during
tho irnneachment of the sherins au
tba+ session deyolved upon the Speak
or II is a curious coincidence thao
tho nrincinal counsel for the impeach-
ed officers was Hon. w. X. Pattahsais
nresent Democratic candidate Tor ooh
eress in the third district. oo)eetionS
| to evidence and questions OF law wei
nut up to the presiding of'cer apous
every minute during these meinorapie
trials In which his rulings, whlie hec-
essarily made off-hand, without eiiiio
for deliberation or investigation, nave
stood the test of time and did niucI ~
UNFOLD the firm and dignihed coho'es
| NJ those trials. 1t was strenuous
time during which Mr.. Peters was very
| much in the limelght and from WiieiA
he emerged with a very hlgh repula-
| ton. /
Upon the death Of the hon. Forrest
Goodwin, then representing the .hiIo
district in Congress, 1t was dilncuil w
find a candidate in what looked IKE a
hopeless cause. Mr. Peters with the
| hope of others interested in public af-l
fairs, went to Augusta in the early
summer for the purpose of inducing
ex-Chief Justice Whitehouse to rum
Upon his refusal, it was put up to Mr.
Peters in such way that he felt in
his duty to accept the nomination ana
make the fight. He plunged into the
campaign with great activity and COM
menced to gain from the start. Thes
Republicans who voted for Mr.. Roose-,
welt in large numbers in that districcI
realized that Mr.. Peters stood for and
represented sound progressive princi-
Piles and as Republicans stood for
what was highest and best in thel
State. Although there were some 65eOi
votes for the progressive candidate Mr.
Peters received some 1880 and was1
elected by about 500 plurality over hist
principal opponent the Democratic
candidate, Mr.. Pattangall. 1t so hap |
pened that this election came at thet
psychological moment in the history
of the country and II was regarded asl
the most important bye-election since1
the presidential vote of 1912 and 1t CEN
tered the attention of the country.
Upon his entrance into Congress Mr.. |
Peters was given important commit |,
tee assignments for a aew member, in |
Guiding the committee on insular az .
fairs and the handwriting committee
on claims where the training Of MT.
Peters as lawyer is recognized IS
valuable.
Mr. Peters has always been closely
identified with business interests OF /