Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-01-30
MAYOR CURTIS IS
A CANDIDATE FOR
GOVERNORS CHAIR,

4 Portland, Me-, Jan. 9.--(SpeciaD Oak
yielded to the opportunities of his asso-
ciates and will go before the primaries
| as a candidate for the Democratic nomi-
Nnation for Governor. This action comes
as something of a surprise even to many
I,cose to the administration here, as 1t
was felt that his virtual defeat In the
last mayoralty election had eliminated MIN
sSor the present as gubernatorial posi-
bility He will issue statement later
. adm probably will outline his campaign
hin event of nomination His plans for
the preliminary contest are not of an
aggressive nature.
! From Mayor Curtis comment accom-
panying Wednesdays announcement, one
might gather that he is very confident
albeit lacking in that political astuteness
generally credited to this director of
iPortland's course. He has discovered the
widespread division in the danks of the
once powerful Republican party" and de-
Stermines that this division is likely to
increase rather than diminish
The remainder of his statement. through
of the stereotyped form. According to
the Argus, he says he has mot sought
nor greatly desired the nomination" but
the fact that his friends here and else
where over the State insisted on his con-
senting to have his name go before the
primaries, chad great weight with him.
The Argus concludes:
Some of his friends had, he continued,
circulated nomination papers for him In
bother parts of the State in advance OF
his reaching decision, and that made
him feel that he owed much to those who
were actively working for him.
IF nominated and elected. he said he
would do his best to serve all the people
poi the State
During the last Legislature, Mayor Cur
tbs was shown by a legislative coal In
vestigation to handle an immense per
centage of the product wholesaled in this
Estate, but the object of the inquiry-to
determine his responsibility for the high
prices by monopoly and boycott-was
failure so far as ground for definite ac-
ton against him was found
His ability as an organizer is recog-
nized not only in the city of Portland
but throughout Cumberland county and
hnto other sections of the State where his
Influence is reached He, or his ma
chine" has been the target for sensa-
tional accusations in municipal campaigns
and elections, but the charges have never
been supported to a finish or have fallen
fiat at the start
There is little question after the re-
count which, on the face of the returns,
gave him such scant plurality over his
Republican opponent that crooked work
on the part of someone enabled him to
win. Ballot boxes were found to have
been tempered with. and evidences multi
piled of other unfair practices. Good Re-
publican voters arrived on election day
to find their names had already been
voted. and repeaters. in the words Of a
Portland business man. repeated, re-
peated and reiterated"
Mayor Curtis is likely to be 1914's most
picturesque political figure. He has al
ready declared for elimination of abuse"
from the campaign and asks that ''argu-
nent determine the result. His defni-
lions of abuse and argument" are
AWAITED with interest.