Bridgeton pioneer., 1915-03-18
DECADENCE OF
PROGRESSIvES
Maine Republicans Are
Much Elated.
ELECTIONS SHOW
The Vote Indicates that the Bull
Moose Are Fast Returning
to Old Party.

Portland, Me-, March 15.-Republi-
cans Of Maine have reason to rejoice
over the results of the recent municip-
al elections, and as Maine is considered
a barometer State, these results are
pleasing also to the Republicans of
the nation. So far as municipal cleo
tions, with their interjection of local
issues, can be depended upon to show
anything. these elections indicate a
tremendous trend of political senti-
ment toward the Republican party,
and the gradual decadence of the Pro-
gressive party.
IN general terms, the Republican
vote IN the city elections was increased
over that of the September State cleo
tion by 25 per cent; the Democratic
vote decreased per cent; in the only
city where the Progressives ran a
ticket. they lost 10 per cent. in votes
and lost municipality which they had
held for two years, running third, with
the Republicans first and Democrats
second
These percentages applied to the to-
AL vote of the State indicate Re-
publican victory in 1916 by a plurality
of at least 1900, contrasted with the
election of a Democratic Governor last
September by approximately 5000. If
the cities maintain the same position
in 1915 and the country towns follow
| in their path, a Progressive ticket, If
there is one, will not take enough votes
away from the Republican candidates
to throw the State to the Democrats,
as they did to some extent in 1914
Whether or not there will be Pro-
gressive ticket in the field in 1916 is,
however, matter of grave doubt. Hal
bert P Gardner, who was the Progress
sive candidate for Governor last year,
has stated to the Public Ledger rep
reSentative that while the Progressive
organization has been maintained,
and there has been no suggestion that
it be disorganized, if the Republicans
in 1916 adopt a strictly Progressive
platform and nominate for Governor
some young and progressive man it is
entirely possible that the Progressives
VIII indorse the Republican platform
and candidate.
Intimations of this tenor from lead
ing Progressives are so general that
Republican leaders think the Progress
siVes, if the platform of 1916 is salts
factory, may join with the Republicans
in the primaries and do their share
in selecting an acceptable candidate
Mr.. Gardner says that the economic
situation in Maine is strongly against
the Administration and in favor of the
Republicans.
From the country towns come rum
ors of dwindling Progressive strength
even more ominous for the Bull Moose
party than the indications of the votes
cast in the city elections. Many vot-
ers through the small sections of the
State, where the Progressives polled
their largest vote in September, cast
Progressive ballots under the halluci-
nation induced by local enthusiasm
that the Progressive party was still a
power in the State and might carry it.
They were formerly Republicans and
still anti-Democrats, and they were
bitterly disappointed when they found
the Progressive party a very poor
third, and the only effect of its activity
| was to elect Democratic Governor
| and House of Representatives
Events at the Legislature have add
ed to this dissatisfaction. The Leg
islature. with a Republican Senate,
was deadlocked over the election OF
an Executive Council and State Off
GERS. After many ballots had been
taken the action of two of the four
Progressive Representatives in absent
ing themselves from, the chamber al
lowed the election of Democratic
Council and Secretary of State. Sub
sequently Governor Oakley G. Curtis
appointed Progressive State Chairman
Irving E. Vernon to the coveted posi-
tion OF Bank Commissioner and an