Las Vegas optic., 1914-09-12
LOOKING TO THE
BAY STATE FOR
DOPE
POLITICAL FoREcASTERs WILL
BASE PREDICTIONS ON CON-
ING ELECTIONS

cal situation in Maine at the close
of the state campaign today, and the
answer of the voters to the inquiry
who will be governor, which is to be
made at the biennial election on Mon
day, is awaited with an interest sur
passing that felt in Maine in a long
time. This interest extends beyond
the state, for the election is the only
one of any significance to take place
before the general election through
out the country in November.
1t has always been a popular no
ton that the September election in
Maine was pretty certain to Indicate
what would happen in November.
,Eough some cogs in this theory have
occasionally slipped and disappointed
the prognosticators. Regardless of
that, however, the Maine election,
particularly midway of a presidential
term, is always looked forward to
with countrywide interest. That fact
is given unusual interest this year.
That the political leaders take this
view of the situation is evidenced by
the fact that both the republicans and
democrats have sent many of their
foremost national leaders into Maine
within the past few weeks to aid their
respective parties. The progressives
also have been active in stumping the
state.
Governor William T. Haines, who
was elected on the republican ticket
two years ago, is a candidate for re-
election His democratic opponent is
Oakley G. Curtis, the present mayor
of Portland. The ticket of the pro-
gressive party, the first they have
had in this state, is headed by Harold
P. Gardner as candidate for governor.
The political conditions in Maine at
the present time are different from
any that have existed heretofore and
make all efforts to forecast the result
of the election extremely difficult.
Two years ago at the September cleo
ton there was no real division of the
republican vote, such as occurred in
the succeeding November, when be-
tween the Taft and Roosevelt votes
Wilson secured the electors by pIur-
ality of 1920, although in a minority
on the total vote of 1926. Governor
Haines, republican, was elected in
September by a plurality of $500,
and three of the four congressman
elected at the same time were repub-
licans.
Names vote two years ago was
seriously affected by the proposed
reciprocity with Canada which Presi-
dent Taft had put through congress
but which was rejected by Canada.
The proposed treaty was very gen
orally resented by the farmers of the
country, and in Maine and other
states along the Canada border it was
more keenly the object of resentment
than elsewhere.
The question of free tolls for
American ships in the Panama canal
Is also an issue in the campaign. For
years Maine has been a. great ship
building state, and she is much in
terested also in the coastwise trade.
The principal state issue is the liquor
question, which for years has perme-
ated every campaign in the state of
Maine
While the contest for governor is
first in interest, it has no great mar
gin over that for congress in several
of the districts. ALI of the present
representatives three republicans and
one democrat, are candidates for re
election Most interest centers in the
Second district. now represented by
Daniel j. McGillicuddy, democrat. I'm
der ordinary conditions. it is believed
Congressman McGillicpddy would
have an easy reelection, but his vote
on the tolls question and certain dis
sentions among the democrats of his
district, have given his opponents con
siderable hope. Alden J. Wheeler, an
active and able campaigner. is oppos
ing McGillicuddy on the progressive
ticket The republican candidate is
Harold Sewell, son of the late Ar
thur Sewell who was the democratic
candidate for vice president in 1896
with Bryan. The son became repub
lican at the time his father was nom
mated for vice president.
In the First district Asher Hinds
is the present republican congress
man. For some time Mr.. Kinds has
been in poor health and 1t was onl.
at the earnest request of his friends
that he consented to accept a nomi
nation. Because of the state of hi