Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-01-05

published statement that all Progress
slves should work together with Re-
publicanS in order to obtain the meas
ure for which they are solicitous has
had marked effect upon ProGressives
the country over. Coming as il does
from the chairman of the Pru " .i,Ve
Congressional committee, il bears
much weight. Furthermore, f'ros res
siveS understand that their COnStit-
,encies would be angercd If they aid
cd the Democrats in the joint conVcn-
ton. Here and there one hears from
a disintercstcd spectator, "Oh, why
not let the Democrats have the con-
troll Of the convention without SO much
fusS-they have the majority?" But
thereby hangs a tale! They have not
q majority. The Joint convention will
stand divided; there will be. Il dead
lock with the vote ~ to 81; 81 Demo-
Gratis AGAINST 81 anti-Democrats If a
Progressive voted with them and made
their vote total %, they would not
have n majority of their own but a
Democratic victory made possible
through their 81 and the vote OF a
man who was willing to trade No
one has vet found a Progressive who
Is Wil!titS 10 nave II S;tlu Oh E!ttl tt.dI
he traded into the hand of the sDe,n-
ocrats: no one has yet found Pro-
sressive who is made of the sort of
stuff that trades.
viii Republicans Be unseeted?
Will the Democrats dare unseat Levita
Thibodeau of Van Buren or James J.
Clement Of Montvilie. Republicans elected
and duly declared elected? They may
dare do it, but they viii be taking a long.
long chance. There is strong opposition
to such move within their own ranks.
The Democrats who know the temper of
Maine voters. the Democrats who know
that such action will come back at them
like a boomerang later on the Democrats
who are determined to SEE the fight on
the Democratic side waged cleanly, will
not sanction ncr lend aid to the ulse 1ting
Of Republicans elected By Maine voters.
1t is the general belief in certain po-
,itical groups that the Democrats will
gain their ma jority by the unseating
method, but it will be a desperate move
and will cause friction amongst them
selves.
The heroplane Runners
Someone evidently has adopted the Eu-
ropean method of assaulting the Repub-
lican lines, for out Ct the skies comes
the rumor that two Democrats are i'll
and one or both of them may be unable
to be on hand for the opening days of
the session. Did the rumors burst out
of a Democratic bomb of false hope to
cause a cessation of hostilities in the Re-
nnh'iaan ic ,{pio
expressed here and there There are
those who declare with srea: conviction
that every Democrat will be on hand IL
a state of health enabling each one to
vote. There is a newspaper report that
Progressive has confessed to a pan to
vote with the Democrats, but he cannot
be found. When one looks for the source
of these rumors ones gaze turns at last
to Democratic airships in the sky. dim
and distant, voplaning down to the hort
ION for more ammunition.
Many Conferences and Meetings
At the Augusta House and at the
State House there were many meetings
Monday evening, some large, more small;
some closing as cary at o'clock, others
continuing rItil late hours The leaders
are on land planning for the strenuous
and unprecedented battle for supremacy
in the convention, likely to occur, and
preparing program for the serious re-
sponsbility which rests upon the Leg.s-
lature as whole, the duty Of making
new laws for the State.
Old Acquaintance Was Not Forgot!
One of the most pleasing things to be
seen at the Augusta House and about the
State House is the greeting of friends;
shouts OF recognition and strong hand
clasps lend an air of pleasure to the
movements of the statesmen which,
coupled with the excitement of the frs
days of the legislative season, makes life
on Capitol hill very interesting just no.