Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-05-04

and tells him he hopes he will obtain
the first prize and asks to be remem-
bered to the family: and then hastens
TO assure his friends that the Honorable
Mr.. Jones. a man Of great political in
fluence In his community. has pledged
his support to the Governor. which in
dicates that he will be triumphantly
nominated at the Primaries next June.
Over on the race track. Farmer
Brown has entered his mare in the
"F'ree-for-All." He Is watching her
with great interest to see that she
scores without break. when his atten-
ton Is attracted by small dapper in
dividual, who says to him. "Ah. Mr..
Brown. I am delighted to meet you;
that Is q very speedy mare OF yours,
you ought to place q good bet on her, II
you don't have the ready money, l
should be pleased to make you a loan
for that purpose. am candidate Tor
United States Senator in the Primaries
next June. understand you are a
member Of your Town Committee and
a man we'll known all over the state
as a very influential citizen in poll
tics, and you ought to be rewarded
sometime by a good Office. ! want TO
enlist your valuable services in my be-
half. / am q colonel and have had
much experience In Portland politics
and would like to go to the United
States Senate" Brown, in his aston
ishment, almost forgets his mare
while he gazes upon the stranger and
says, well Of all things. so you are a
colonel, are you? You look too young
| to have been in the war, where did you
get your title?" "Oh," says the Colonel,
my military title came to me from SER
vice on the Governors staff" "Oh yes.
I see," says Brown, "And may l ask
why should vote or work for you for
United States SENATOR" "Your ques-
tiou. says the Colonel. is very apt.
pertinent and Of deep significance. and
I take great pleasure in answering the
same to your satisfaction. You knew
my father when he represented Maine
in the United States Senate? Well,
am his son, and l should like to have
you support me for that reason. Il
see, says Brown. but who else Is In the
field besides your" "Oh, says the COL
onel, no one but an Ex-Governor down
in Androscoggin; it's choice between
us two" "Well. says Brown, II 1t
comes to that, just choice between
you two, and you are really the son OF
your father and a colonel. and as we
are liable to go to war, l would. OF
course. support you, but it seems to me
that you are apt to lose your wind be-
fore you get to the home stretch. How
ever, that's nothing to me. don't take
much interest In politics anyway" And
thereupon, the Colonel hastens to as
sure his newspaper that the former
friends of his father are coming to
him in great numbers. and he Is to win
easily at the coming Primaries next
June.
Judge Spear was upon the Bench at
this time, holding a term OF court, and
l was busy with my duties as a mem
Der Of the Bar, and could not attend
the county fairs in sixteen counties,
| and the Judge and myself ought not to
suffer because we could not find time
and opportunity to attend these coun-
ty fairs and talk politics to the farmers
who did not care at that time who was
In the field, and yet, II the Primary
Law contemplates such canvass on
the part Of the candidate, then 1t will
require a great deal Of money for a
candidate to visit these several fairs
and find out the standing and obtain
pledges from the farmers of his politi-
cal party.
| Now, right here want to say word
about pledges of support given to can
didates before the Primaries. The Prl-
mary Law contemplates that no pledges
should be given until all the candidates
for the Office are in the field, and then
the people can select their choice. Be
fore that time, there can be only
choice between the few first In the
| field, and the law contemplates that
the voter should not be deluded by am
bilious office seekers, so that any
pledges made more than year ago in
| this contest for the United States Sem
atorship In the Republican party. are
not binding upon the honor or con-
science of any man who made them,
and no voter need hesitate for a mo-
Iment to disregard such pledge obtain
ed before he had an opportunity to
make a free choice.
| Since the late Republican State con-
vention, I have received great many
pledges Of support. and say now to all
those who have given me pledges, that
| If, before the Primary Election, by
examination and review of the records
and public positions Of the candidates
in the field, they shall arrive at the
conclusion that they ought to support
for the United States Senate at the bal
lot box one Of my opponents. it is their
duty to do so, and not to consider the
pledge to me binding in any manner