Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-08-18

district, county and town committees
In Maine. Such a roster is now in
print and will soon be ready for de-
livery to you and to any other person
sufficiently Interested to ask for it and
you are at liberty to have the names
printed in the daily press, not only for
Penobscot county but for the entire
State You will find in the roster
list of more than 300 Republicans who
are serving on the party committees,
men prominent in their own communi-
ties and deeply interested in promot-
ing the welfare of Maine by their par
ty activity.
1t is quite true, that in recent
speeches as correctly reported in the
Bangor Daily News, l have made
statements in regard to the declining
vote of the Progressive party. These
statements are based on elections that
have been held since November, 1912,
and in every instance disclose the fact
that many men who then voted for
Mr.. Roosevelt are now acting with the
Republican party. This applies. not
only to Maine but to all the states in
the Union where elections have been
held. Every election has indicated an
compared with 1912; a loss by the
Democratic party from their vote for
Mr.. Wilson; and very much greater
loss to the Progressive party.
III Pennsylvania where Col. Roose-
welt received his largest plurality the
primary vote Of the Progressive party
was not more than lilo the vote CIV
en- to Mr.. Roosevelt; in California,
another state that gave it's electoral
vote to Col Roosevelt, the registered
vote Of the Republican party as in
dictated by the primary enrolment has
practically equalled that of the DEM
ocrats and Progressives combined.
A careful canvass is now being made
by the Republican organization in
Maine and 1t discloses a similar condi-
ton here and justifies the predictions
have made that the Progressive party
will receive so small a percentage of
the votes that will be cast in the Sep
TENDER election. that votes given to
Progressive candidates will only give
assistance to the Democrats.
1t is quite true that I have criti-
cized and objected to the existing di-
vision among men who believe in COM
Democratic party. 1t is also true that
have used all my personal influence
and all of my political influence to eff
feet fusion between the Republicans
and Progressives which would give to
the voters of Maine who believe in
protection, in good government, the
| enforcement of our laws and the ac-
cepted principles of the Republican
party, the absolute assurance of vic
tory in the coming election. 1t is also
true that these efforts haze not met
with success. The Progressive State
committee has refused ever to partici-
pate in a conference. but l firmly be-
lieve that the rank and file of the vot-
ers of Maine who accept the princi-
pies of the Republican party as inter-
preted by the candidates chosen and
the committees selected by the Repub-
| licans of Maine will join in the re-
election of GOV. Haines, of State Audi
tor Callahan, the selection of four Re-
publican members of Congress who
will in the National House reflect the
| true sentiment of our people on nation
| al issues. the choice of a Republican
| Legislature and the election of Re-
!
| ties.
accept, and believe every member
of the Republican party committee in
Maine accepts, the full right of the
voters to be informed of all acts oil
their party committees. Perhaps the
best evidence can give to you of the
attitude of the Republican State COM
mittee is to quote to you from state
ment given out by me for the State
committee Feb. 8, 1914, at the time the
| Call was issued for the last Republican
! State convention. l enclose to you a
copy of the call and quote to you from
it the following:
THE Republican state Committee, in
their relation 10 the Republican party
accept the limitation placed upon them
by their party service and the duties i'm
posed upon them in connection with ad-
ministering the primary machinery OF
the party and of the State, and pledge
| themselves to continued and devoted SER
vice to the Republicans of Maine. They
are the servants of the party member
ship. They are conscious that a proper
conception of their duty to their particu-
lar constituents. the Republicans, denies
them the right of attempting to control
the choice OF party candidates or the
declaration of party principles. It is
particularly their province to afford the
members of the party free and uncon-
trolled action in these important matters.
After the platform is adopted in con-
vention and the candidates are chosen al
the primary, it then becomes the duty
of the committee to use every honorable
effort to inform the voters of Maine OF
the merits of platform and candidates
and to solicit support for them. II
should be remembered in connection with
this convention, that by law, it's assem-
! blages fixes the limit of the term of SER
vice of State, county and district commit
teemen and that one of the most impor-
tant duties devolving upon the delegates
is the choice of committees, who win in
turn be charged with administering the
affairs of the Republican party for the
ensuing two years.
| I desire to say to you, and to the
voters of the State who may be inter
ested in our correspondence, that every
receipt Of the Republican party COM
mittees, every expenditure, every COM
mittee act. the personnel of the mem
bership and in fact the entire con-
duct of the committees are and should
be open to the inspection Of the voters
of the State; and that the committees
are not only willing to give informa-
ton in the fullest measure but earn
estly hope that the party membership
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