Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-03-10
Next Mondays Election.


Not in recent years have the Repub-
lican voters Of Augusta come down to
Spring election with such obvious pride
and confidence. The reason is easily
understandable people of the city are
well pleased and openly appreciative
of the city service in the year just
passed. On every hand is heard praise,
while each and every criticism has SO
plainly shown its source and inspira-
ton as to wholly discredit it with the
citizens. False rumors Of all sorts
have been circulated by desperate
Democratic politicians, candidates and
press agents, but in no case have
they been worthy of answer or even
second thought. Fair-minded citizens
Of all parties have accepted them that
way-as unworthy of notice In short,
the campaign conducted by a few
Democratic lightweights for several
weeks has been abandoned, this week,
because Democratic leaders discov-
cred, when too late, that it's effect had
been precisely opposite to its purpose.
AS a specimen of this squirt-gun
politics. let us recall the street report
of last Tuesday, industriously circulat-
ed and pretended to be believed by
Democratic candidates and ward
Niles had put in the day. Monday, in
Hallowell in a strenuous and unscrup-
ulous perversion Of that city's election.
Some of these enthusiastic li-er -ah-
report spreaders, went into details and
eXplained-to those who would listen
that Mr.. Viles had visited the Hal
lowell shoe shops and had purchased
votes of all he could, and had hired
others to stay at home. The perfidious
political activity of Mr.. Niles was said
to have suddenly become public
scandal.
1t is amazing, the number of Demo-
cratic candidates. ward politicians and
scribes protesting to believe this
wholesale falsehood which they had
manufactured out Of whole cloth. And
some of these who pretended to believe
knew. positively. that Mr.. Viles was
not in Hallowell on the day claimed,
and that he had had no interest in the
Hallowell election other than friend
ship for Mayor-elect Robinson and
other Republican candidates.
Mr.. Viles refused to dignity this sill
ly report with denial When asked
by the Journal on Tuesday if he cared
to say anything he laughed and said:
Il don't think anybody Of intelli-
gence will believe that story-and I
don't know as it will hurt any if 9TH
ers do"
But such methods land the above Is
only one Of many have cost the DEM
ocratic candidates many votes in the
present campaign. among fair-minded
people. The residents of Augusta
KNOW something Of their city affairs
and the clean young men who have ad-
ministered government in the past
year.
Mayor Files is young man of whom
the city is justly proud None can
dispute that he is high type of bus
mess gentleman; that he is honest,
earnest and actively interested in pub
lie affairs: that he would not stoop
TO mean, unfair or dshonorable act:
that he has culture. geniality. courtesy
and ability; that as citizen and as pub
lie official he has won and held the
friendship and confidence of all who
come in contact with him. These
things, taken with an array of indis-
putable facts to be given the public at
Saturday evenings rally, will ensure
Mr.. Niles' reelection by handsome
majority.
With Mr.. Viles have been associated
in the city's affairs young men of
brains and integrity. They sought to
make good" and have done so in the
best sense Of the phrase. They have
justified the claim that the young men
of today are equipped for public SER
vice in way that most men of previ-
Gus generations were not. They have
demonstrated Republican wisdom in
putting its young men to the front
They are not as good" lin the common
acceptance of the term) politicians as
older men but they have given that
which the people asked, clean, honest.
efficient execution of their public trust.
On these things Mayor Viles and
those nominated with him look to the
voters for approval next Monday.
Representative Black. Democrat, Of
Toxos mazda a Snooch in the House re.