Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-07-28
The Next National Convention.


day morning published an interesting
editorial on the next Republican ma
fionl convention, "fayorite sons" and
the probabilities, closing with strong
endorsement Of Col. Fred n. Dow OF
Portland, as head Of the Maine dele
cation OF the convention. We are
glad the Press has made this sugses-
ton, and we wish to express our most
hearty approval OF its choice.
To our mind no man in Maine better
typifies the character Of Maine and
her institutions than does Col. Dow
For many years the man or woman
who has dared to stand forth for NOR
al. educational, Christian progress, has
found a ready champion in Col. Dow.
His influence has been large and he
has used it to promote Names
higher and better interests. He has
stood. in politics, for Republican prin-
c:ples but ne has not hesitated to crit
icize where criticism makes for pub
lie ard party good. He knows Maine
and its people. He knows his party.
its leaders and candidates. and the
opposition. AS the Press remarks, he
is OF the highest type OF Names bus
mess men.
Recognizing these things and feeling
assured that Maine people generally
recognize them, we ask where can be
found a man better suited to the SER
vice as head Of the Maine delegation
to the Republican national convention
than Col. Dow?
The Press says:
1t is daily becoming more apparent
that the next Republican national
convention will not select a candidate
for President on the first ballot, II in
deed, 1t Is able to do so on the tenth
or twentieth. No less than ~ favor
lite sons" from various states are like
ly to be voted for and to be given
cordial support in the beginning.
There will be no group Of men in the
forthcoming convention to dictate as
70 what shall be done, but the choice
will be made by delegates who will
be left entirely free to act as they
deem best All Of the "favorite sons"
movements are not taken seriously.
unless it be by the 'favorite son" him.
self. Such movements afford state
delegations an opportunity to mark
time while trey take survey OF the
field and make up their minds as to
the most likely and best qualified can
didate. When this has been accom-
plished the "favorite son" usually has
the extreme satisfaction Of seeing his
hopes Of distinction knocked into a
cooked hat and himself relegated to
the list Of the also ran" But among
some Of these "favorite sons there
may be one or two who will not be
distanced in the first heats of the
contest and who may develop formid-
able strength where now it is least ex-
pected. Most Of the states. however.
are in the same position relative to
the selection as is Maine. The Re-
publicans Of this State have a pretty
good idea Of the type Of man they de-
sire 70 see nominated. but they are by
no means certain as to just who the
man should be nor do they wish to
CJUIIllt tISiHSciScS tIctOCdDIy the
early stages OF the contest. It has
been an established precedent for
Maine to send delegation to the ma
tional convention uninstructed and
free to act as it may be deemed for
the best interests Of the party and
the State. This necessitates the Sc
lection of delegates in whom the great
mass Of the voters have confidence
apd to whom they are willing to en-
trust a matter Of such grave conse-
quence. For the credit Of Maine It
may be said, without fear of contra
diction that such has been the high
standard OF the delegates this State
has always sent to the national con-
ventions Of the past. 1t may be q
little early for Maine Republicans to
give the matter Of the selection Of its
delegates their serious attention, but
In this part of the State at least, there
has been some discussion Of the ques-
ton, and sthe names OF some men
have been suggested as typifying the
kind Of men who should be prevailed
upon to represent the Republicans of
Maine in the coming national conven-
ton.
One among others who has .beou
mentioned frequently in this connec-
ton Is Col. Fred n. Dow OF Portland.
He represents the highest type Of the
States business men. He has had
many years experience in political
matters both in the State and in the
nation and enjoys the acquaintance
and the confidence Of the party lead
ers both at home and in other states.
Col. Dow has passed beyond the peri
cd when he could be induced by any
personal ambitions to attend a ma
tional convention as a delegate. II he
could be prevailed upon to serve, Il
would only be from a desire to give
his party and his State the benefit Of
his ripe political experience. He Is
man Of great ability and keen judy
ment, Of thorough knowledge Of the
sentiments and the views Of the Re-
publicans Of Maine Of every class ana
OF every age. and the hope has fire.
Qusntiy been expressed that he might
b induced to accept the election AZ
. delegate to the national convention
from this part Of Maine. As has been
stated. It may be considered little
early TO inaugurate q campaign in be.
half Of any man for such a place, but
It IL not too soon to be giving the
subject some consideration or to pro-
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