Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-03-06
nth LEGISLATURE
CONTINUED From Page 81

books by the people Of this State and
which should be kept there. Any move
looking to the repeal Of this law without
first making all possible improvements
and amendments is not worthy or our
sunport. We are satisfied with IT in
Knox County, Rockland, and only one
county official elected at the last election
was from that city: the rest of them
were from various parts Of the county.
,Ir. PLUMMER Of Lisbon: Mr..
Speaker, / would like to explain my
position upon this matter very prleIiy'
II is to be remembered, it seems to
ire, that in any case OF change from
one method of doing a thing to an
other, whether the change may be 1oc
the better or for the worse, there is
temporarily some disadvantage. AS
some of US know, when We get new
pair of shoes, even if they were better
than the other ones, that for short
time there is some discomfort; we
have to break in, as it were. Now, that
seems TO be the case with regard TO
roposi,ion of this kind. As l say. u
- true. whether the scheme may be
otter or may be worse than the one
under which we have previously been
working But it is necessary for US
as people to bear in mind these
things and to be patient until we get
ourselves adjusted to the new condi-
ton.
Now. with regard to the demand
amongst the people of this state for
this change am satisfied that some
like the
present law. but they did not like the
caucus system altogether: they voted,
Ii remember right, in favor of chang
ing that No political party has dared
In its platform as Yet to bring this
matter up: although it is a question
that affects the people as whole.
the whole people of the state. and It
is matter of de-spread interest II
there is any interest at all in chang
ing, no political party which had its
convention last spring dared-I think
l may use that word, dared to put in
to its platform this provision, although
no doubt perhaps most all Of the lead
ers or a good many Of them would
like TO have done so-nO party dare.i
to put il in there because they We're
afraid of being accused of trying to
take a step backwards. Now, if the
people did not think it was step
backwards-and do not say now that
it is or that it is not. that it would
be or would not be- but I say that
Il they We're not afraid that the peo-
pie would think it vas a step back
wards they have no need to have been
afraid to incorporate that plank in
their platform calling for the repeal
Of the primary.
AS TO the proposition Of the gentle
man from South Portland. Mr.. San
born, that this will give the people an
opportunity to vote upon the matte"
I would ask my friend to bear this in
mind that the people, if 1000 Of
them wish to DO SO. could bring this
matter before themselves; but if [
remember correctly the gentleman dill
not yesterday favor very strongly the
bringing of the matter before the peo-
pie In regard to the change in the
date of the state election, although
without doubt many would rather have
it changed and perhaps many morn
who did not desire it changed would
be willing or glad to have it voted
upon. But that matter, gentleman, can
not be presented to the people by di-
rect petition. If the gentleman from
South Portland, Mr. Sanborn. wishes
to be consistent, although l think It
was Nelson who said that Consist
ency is vice of d small mind" SO that
my friend may be above any such
small matter as that. But I say. #
he does wish to be consistent in the
matter let him vote when the case
arises to present the matter to the
people, a matter which the people
haven't it within their power to bring
before themselves. let him vote fo.'
that as we'll and better than to vote
for a proposition which they DO have
the power to bring before themselves,
on the ground that he is willing that
they should vote upon it irrespective
of his own opinion.
Mr. MCINTYRE of Waterford; Mr..
Speaker, as / am one of the farmers
here in this House. l have been Wait
ing to hear word from some farm
or, and the reason why | rise now
IL because of the remarks of the gen
tleman from Lewiston Mr.. Clifford).
who said that he had not seen any one
from the country WHO favored tNlS
measure. l live ten miles from the
railroad and | think | can rightly
claim to be living back in the coun-
try. l want to call your attention 20
why we have not had any better sue
cess with this law. 1t is through ig-
norance and indifference. Now if you
have got something before the people
in regard to which you can give OUT
some knowledge through the country
districts and help to educate us poor
farmers, don't take it away from US.
Now, l hope that all my farmer
friends here will look at this matter
as 1 do and vote. as l certainly shall,
to retain this present primary law.
Mr.. THOMBS of Lincoln: Mr..
Speaker. and gentlemen Of the House,
in line with what the gentleman who
have proceeded me have said. wish
to emphasize this fact. There seems
to be a good deal of solicitude here
this morning in regard to the country
vote. l claim that l represent coun-
try section, and l further claim that
the country people are not all by any
means unanimous in their opposition
to this bill. l think the matter up
20 that point has been very correct