Daily Kennebec journal., 1916-03-01

HON. THOMAS J. LYONS
l take this opportunity to announce
publicly that 1 will be a candidate in
the primaries on the Republican ticket
for the honorable and responsible posi-
ton Of state senator for Kennebec
county.
l appreciate the fact that this is
high aspiration, especially for one who
has no professional or business stand
ing to advertise on the bulletins alons
the beaten paths of political promi-
nence and activity. l have taken this
step not through fear that there is any
danger of Kennebec county going un
represented in the councils of the
State, although there has been no
candidates mentioned in the papers up
to this time, for I have no doubt but
that this matter will be taken care Of
by those who make politics their busi-
ness. but who sometimes make the
mistake of measuring the fitness and
popularity of the candidate by his
ability to contribute to the campaign
fund.
AS result of this plan. MANY are
called but few ; are chosen" The
greatest possessions that have are my
personality, the reputation Of dealing
honestly with my fellow men and an
independence that l value more than
pecun;ary gain or political preferment.
Contributions of this kind have no in
trinsic or monetary value when needed
TO furnish brass bands and displays.
but as they are my principal assets L
have decided to enter the primaries,
the poor mans opportunity, and on my
own responsibility and by honorable
means endeavor to crafty my ambi-
ton to occupy a seat in the upper
branch of the Maine Legislature. If
fail in my object I will not feel seri-
ously hurt nor sulk in my tent, but
nv humble efforts will be freely given
for the election of the candidates OF the
Republican party, the political division
that stands for protection for Amerl-
can workingmen and women agalnst
the underpaid labor of foreign coun-
tries. a principle that I. as an Ameri-
can workingman heartily approve
believe that any man who soliclts
the support of his fellow citizens for 4
public office prospective or otherwise
should unhesitatingly declare to the
electorate his position especially in re-
gard to questions that are agitatlng
the public mind and which are likely
to come before the Legislature Tor con-
siGeration.
AS q general proposition I am IN
favor of progressive Repuollcall
nrinciples as embodied in the platforms
Of both the Republican and Progress
sive parties at the present time.
believe in the extension, II possible Oh
our free school system so that every
opportunity may be given to our poys
and oirls-the men and women OF the
,eor fI,ture--to get an education that
will adequately fit them for the duties
that as voters they must assume. III
connection with this, | belleNe ina.
every child, regardless OF ITS hnahcla'
surroundings, should be required 10 so
tn school and that any expense neceS-
sarv should be borne by the state ana
in :, wav that would not pauperlze or
bumiliate the child. l am in favor oi
laws that have for their OBJECT tiie
lettering of the conditions, SANITARY "
ca fety and otherwise that exist III coli-
nection with the employment OF our
industrial wage earners. l credit my
self will, being responsible for some Oh
the labor laws that are now lncorpoi
ated in our statutes: they are h"'
partisan and my principle has always
been when advocating laws OF TINS nd
+ure to be sure that the concessions
Granted one party did not actually
ieonardize the business interests OF the
other have no apologies to oHer lol
a,v Of our labor laws and II l mac
tho opportunity my desire would De tc
r,aka them more operative and efec'
two would not advocate or vote
Gov ,rv law that I did not belleVe
,,o,nd no a benefit to all the people o1
the state. e.,
The matter of sigring petitions 1o'
candidate to enable him to get me-
nar,e on the ballots in the primaries Il
hut a preliminary proceeding, but ever
IN +his desire that no voter sign my
netit;ons or commit himself to my
sunnort in any way without. plain un'
derstanding as to what my attltoo'
would be in connection with one vel
important question. l admit "ltn re
gret that the administration or th'
laws applying to the manufacture any
sale of Intoxicating liquor Is not any
never has been satisfactory TO me
There is too much discrlmlna'ioi
shown too much consideration TOT th'
law breakers standing In society
Politics seem to be the domiha'iAt
factor and when this condition pre-
dominates principle becomes second
arv consideration. For many years w
have stood practically alone IN man
tanning in our statutes a pronipltoi.
law Yes, we have led in leg1siatioi'
hnt it cannot truthfully be ciaime'
that our efforts for the effective en-
forcement of the provisions OF the iaS
have been crowned with large meas
IRE of success. AS result OF TIL
political domination we have pun. -,
an artistocratic, preferential class y y
law breakers who apparently seem .
he immune from arrest or imprison
ment It has always been perpieA
ing question for me to understand WI!
the person who wantonly ana ope",'
s;.rar.rds his obligation and al