Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1914-08-19
JOHN A. PETERS.
Man Whom Third District Will Re-
turn to Congress.
From the Bangor Neaos.l

| case Wnen JOnn A. refers. Oh EllsWoAth
took his seat in the national legislature te
fill out the unexpired term of the late
Forrest Goodwin.
| MIR. Peters has always been looked upon
as a skillful lawyer and an eloquent
speaker in bis own State, and ne 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 patri-
otto and political.
Mr.. Peters is candidate for reelection
from the third district and il seems that
he will again be chosen to 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 men,
bers OF that body and others in Congress
and by the great interest he takes not
only in his own section, but in the affairs
Of the whole State of Maine.
John A. Peters was born in Ellsworth
Aug. 13, 1854, where he was educated in
the public schools and fitted for college,
graduating at Bowdoin in the class OF
1885, with honors. In college he was in
terested in literary work, being managing
editor OF the Bowdoin Orient, the leading
college publication. He is now member
of the board of oyerseers of the college
and greatly interested in its welfare.
On graduation he studied law in the
office Of the late Chief-Justice Andrew
Peters Wiswell, was admitted to the bar
partnership with judge Wiswell and pres
emit Associate Justice King, under the firm
name OF Wiswell, King & Peters and
practiced law as member Of that firm at
Ellsworth until 1898, when, upon the ap-
pointment Of Judge wiswell to the
supreme bench, the firm was dissolved and
Mr.. Peters has since continued the prac-
tice OF Law in Ellsworth.
In 1895 he was appointed judge Of the
Ellsworth municipal court and held that
position until 1905, when he declined re-
appointment and was elected to the State
legislature, in which he took prominent
part, serving on the committee on judi
ciary. He was reelected in $40, although
the rest Of the ticket was defeated. In
that year he was minority candidate for
speaker of the House, receiving the unani-
nous vote OF the republicans.
In 1912 he did not desire reelection,
but was induced to become a candidate,
made an active campaign and was elected
by large majority. He was chosen
speaker of the House, receiving all the
votes OF the republicans and progressives.
During the stormy session of the legisla
ture in the winter OF 1913, his attitude as
speaker was marked by absolute fairness
and impartiality, and it was said by his
political opponents. as well as peiitical
adherents, that he administered the affairs
Of the Office with ABILITY and distinction
As the president of the Senate was not
trained in law, most OF the work OF pre-
siding over the joint session OF the Senate
and House during the impeachment OF
the sheriffs at that session devolved upon
that the principal counsel for the inn
peached officers was Hon. w. r. Pastan-
gall, present democratic candidate for
Congress in the third district.
Objections to evidence and questions of
law were put up to the presiding officer
about every minute during these memoir
able trials, in which his rulings, while
necessarily made ofi-hand, without time
for elaboration or investigation, have
STOOD the test OF time and did much to
uphold the firm and dignitied conduct of
those trials. II was a strenuous time,
during which Mr.. Peters was very much in
the limelight and from which he emerged
with very high reputation.
Upon the death Of the Hon. Forrest
Goodwin, then representing the third
district in Congress-, it was difficult to,
find a candidate in what looked like q
hopeless cause. Mr-Peters, with the hope
of others interested in public affairs, went
10 Augusta in the early summer for the
purpose Of inducing ex-Chief Justice
Whitehouse to rum Upon his refusal, il
was put up to Mr.. Peters in such way
that he felt it has duty to accept tbs.
nomination and make the fight.
He plunged into the campaign with
great activity and commenced to gain
from the start. The republicans, who
voted for Mr.. Roosevelt in large numbers
in that district, realized tina. Mr.. Peters
stood for and represented sound pro-
gressive principles and, as a republican,
stood for what was highest and best in the
State. Although there were some $500
votes for the progressive candidate, Mr.
Peters received some IL, 5ooand was elected
by about 800 plurality over his principal
opponent, the democratic candidate, MIR.
Pattangali.
1t SO happened that this election came at
the psychological moment in the history
OF the country, and it was regarded as the
most important by-election since the
presidential vote of 1872.
Upon his entrance into Congress, Mr.,
Peters was given important committee
assignments for new member, including
the committee on insulsr affairs and the
Woodworking committee on claims,
where the training of Mr.. Peters as a
lawyer is recognized as valuable.