Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-09-10

TWO SOOu Iueti, MT. Guernsey, anu Ii
Merrill the Progressive candidate, each
of whom are my neighbors and per-
sonal friends both of whom are men
of ability and integrity, and either of
whom does honor to the person who
can justly claim him as a friend.
Either of them would probably cast
his vote as congressman upon this is
sue of the tariff as l should myself and
in accordance with my views.
One important fact that influences
me strongly in arriving at this deter
mination is that Mr.. Guernsey has the
advantage of several years of expert
ence and training in Congress which
makes him vastly more fit and SER
viceabe to perform the work that we
who believe in protection want per-
formed than any new and untried man
however talented or brilliant could
possibly have. He has made a rec
ord in Congress in this struggle for
| protection that cannot be challenged
He was one of the first to raise his
voice in that body against the dangers
| to his district and his State which
pregnated the Taft and James j. hin
! Canadian reciprocity scheme, and his
+ course regarding these issues OF such
vital Importance to every Industrial
interest in the Fourth congressional
district, has ever since been such as TO
command only the respect of all of his
constituents AS congressman he has
acquired position and influence IN
WASHINGTON unsurpassed by few in the
same length of time.
And now we require the valuable
services which for such reasons he IS
so much better equipped to render
than a new man would be. The Ia
nous remark accredited to Lincoln
that lit is dangerous to swap horses
while crossing a stream" aptly applies
to this situation.
The Progressive party has struck
from its members the shackles OF
partisan and boss-ruled politics. A
real Progressive may freely exercise
the right of suffrage as his own con-
science shall dictate.
In the light of this fact 1t may be
wise and proper for such Progressive
to examine without prejudice the
public career of Frank Guernsey as
bearing upon fundamental principles
that Progressives stand for. ears
ago when a member of the Maine
Legislature he voted for woman sur
frage, and as a member of the judi
ciary committee voted in favor on
| amending the federal constitution &c
, allow United States senators TO Dc
elected by the people.
On January s, 1909, on motion OF Re-
publican leaders to pass a resolution
censuring President Roosevelt Tor al
lie sed unvarranted interferenees with
prerogatives of the House of Repre-
sentatives. Mr. Guernsey refused to Sc
vote but in a small minority t2l2 to
3s) voted to sustain the President In
his action.
On July u. 1909, Mr. Guernsey voteo
for tho income tax amendment to the
Federal constitution.
On June 9, 1910, he voted for postal
savings repositories.
On February IA and April 81, 1911
he voted and spoke against Canadian
reciprocity.
: on April 10, 1911, he voted in favol
: of an amendment to the Federal con-
/ stitution providing for the direct cleo
ton of L. S. senators.
: on April 25, 1912, he voted in favor
: of the most drastic measure then be-
| fore the House giving the committee
on banking anu Suii
| mower. to investigate the so-calleo
Money Trust"
1 ON Nav %. 1912. he voted in favoi
of the exemption of American ship'
passing through the Panama canal
on June 10, 1912. he was recorded IL
t favor of the repeal of the obnoxious
r and dishonest Canadian reciprocity.
On February Il, 1914, he was presen
I1rn ell
! regulating hours of labor for women II
e the District of Columbia known al
: 1.-The eight hour law" was oeing oepat'
: ed and supported the measure.
. On February Is, 1914 he voted IL
4 favor of the Alaska railroad bill ane
l was a member of the subcommittee o
& five that drafted the House DIN ahs
was one of the House con1erees Oh ,i'
1 legislation This was measure ina
= Secretary of the Interior Lane, VIM
only a few years ago was canolodt'
for governor in California under th'
political name of "A Roosevelt Demo
crat" strongly favored and had peeh
since as far back as early in lsl2 uh
der consideration of the committee Vi
territories of which Mr.. Guernsey is
member 1t forever settled the ques
tion of whether the people or the lane
robbers should have the beneht OF th'
vast wealth in the undeveloped re
sources of Alaska. 1t carried lnt'
practical effect the doctrines advocat'
= ed bv Roosevelt, Pinchot and all OF the
radical conservationists
In the Maine Legislature of 1913, on'
bill was before it about which there
was no division among Progressives
, and it's supporters were ably LED o'
, Hon. Alton c. Wheeler, the Progress
siye leader of that session. This was
known as the Massachusetts Ballo
Law" A petition in it's support signed
bv nearly 800 citizens of Dover ane
Foxcroft was headed by the Hon
} Frank E. Guernsey.
After most careful scrutiny oil
the matter am unable to find where
CONGRESSMAN Guernsey has cast one
single vote in Congress antagonistlc te
any of the highest ideals of the Pro-
gressive party. on the other hand he
} has without noise or blare of trumpets
case the fore going votes, every one
of which sustain it's Fundamental