Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-06-17
Wednesday, June II, 1914.
Primary Pointers,

without pointing lesson (Which /:
apparent to alb we would call atten-
ton to some of the significant results
of the State wide primary. In the
first place, all Republicans should fee
gratified at the size of the Republican
vote in the State without contest to
bring out the voters. And, by the
same token, Democrats everywhere
have like reason for feeling depressed
in getting out less than so percent of
the Wilson vote of 1912, when they
had all kinds of contests to stimulate
interest and enthusiasm, and when
every Democratic voter had a personal
friend contesting for nomination.
Sometime ago we voiced our regret
that Mayor Newbert should enter the
primary against Mr.. Curtis, because
we foresaw the Augusta gentleman
hard and expensive campaign and sure
defeat-not from lack of ability or
popularity Of Mr.. Newbert but because
of location. The vote shows, that
Candidate Curtis concentrated his ef-
fort and resources in the Portland
center and in Bangor ana Lewiston.
He came out of his home city with SOC
more votes to spare than Newbert re-
ceived in the whole of Kennebec
county. No other comment on one
popularity of the Statewide primary
system is needed. Counting the vote
of all the cities except Portland and
Newbert leads the nominee by more
than $50 votes.
Another demonstration is seen in
the Democratic contest for sheriff
nomination. In Ward 4. the ward
that has kept Augusta in the Demo-
cratic column, Cote received 2o9 votes
to Is for Tebbetts, the nominee. In
the city Cote received 1876 votes to 295
for Tebbetts.
Perhaps more feeling was aroused
in this contest than in any other I'M
less it be in that of county commits
sioner: for it is generally understood
that Mr.. Tebbetts the register of
deeds, was forced into the primary
contest for sheriff nomination by the
Democratic easy boss, the Hon. w. r.
P, after Cote had an accepted title to
the honor. And Mr.. Cote beat the
machine in its own strongholds. The
Franco American element in Augusta
and Waterville felt that they were en-
titled to this representation, inasmuch
as they had the man, the means and
the enthusiasm, and had let it be
Known at the start that they expected
to nominate Mr.. Cote. Many Re-
publican friends of Mr.. Cote in both
cities hoped to see him receive just
dues, although having no personal OBJ
jections to the machine candidate. But
Mr. Cote has felt the wheels of the
juggernaut, although his friends will
resent the interference more than he.
All in all, as a newspaper standing
for Republican principles and party
success, as we'll as against some of
the things that seem to find favor with
the distinguished Democratic candi-
date for governor, we are we'll pleased
with the nominations. We prefer the
campaign to defeat Mr.. Curtis to one
that would have defeated either Mr.
Newbert. Mr.. Mcintyre or Mr.. Keegan.
Mr.. Curtis record stands in favor of
Republican success.
On the other hand, the first act of
Democracy must be to soothe the ruff
fed feelings of some of the men who
have been victimized, and their
friends. First on the docket is
peace parley with such as Mr.. Cote and
Mr.. Wellman. Just watch the oily
way in which diplomatic relations will
be resumed An arbitration com
mission of one will present and hear
the evidence, and in a few weeks the
friends of overridden gentlemen of
ambitions will be expected to perform
the Edgar Hanson Sam Gould penitent
sinner act.