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

ed wealth or the ability to interest
wealthy friends in their political fortunes
are bidding for Republican nominations
to offices. to which heretofore brains and
character. ability and integrity have
been considered necessary qualifications"
This is serious indictment from a
great political party. Is it true? Has the
Democratic party Of Maine any reason.
| cause or justification for making such a
| declaration Of fact, as to violations Of
the Primary Law? 1t is time for the
thoughtful voters of Maine to pause and
reflect on the tendencies and results that
will follow the present political conduct
Of certain politicians canvassing for office
and honors, unless they are rebuked at
the Primaries.
1t Is for you, voters of Maine, to prove
this accusation false, or if that is impos-
sible, to see to it upon June 10 next that
you are not placed in such position
that you can be truthfully accused OF
having ratified such a corrupt agreement
All these facts reflect no blame upon
the Republican party. unless they are
approved and ratified at the Primaries.
AS a party, the Democrats have offended
against the law, while. up to the present
time, the Republican party, as party,
Is without fault. thanks to the honesty
and integrity of the State committee. who
have been impartial in their conduct OF
the campaign. AS a party. the Demo-
Gratis have at their late State convention,
not only approved and endorsed candi-
dates for nomination in the coming prf-
maries, but they have even nominated
them, against the spirit and intent and
purpose Of the primary law. and have IN
every way ignored and disregarded that
law.
Then on the 9Th day Of April, the Pro-
gressive party Of Maine met in conven-
ton at Bangor, and demanded the repeal
of the present Primary Law; and men
everywhere, in the press, in public and In
private, are expressing disgust at the
Primary Law: and among the friends or
honest and progressive government, the
question arises, What has the Primary
Law done that it should be crucified?"
Has not this state Of things been brought
about by the attempt of certain politt-
clans to restore the old. obnoxious system
of nominating candidates for office, and
to repeal the law Of the people by the
performance of acts that disgust men
who hoped Tor a more progressive gov
eminent
The bright prospects before the Repub-
lican party which presage great tri-
umph in state and nation next election
has induced many Republican candidates
for Office to enter the field. 1t must nee
essarily be so whenever a political party
is sure to win. 1t is now conceded that
the Republican party, if it dominates
of, ;,,< Ctata y,oti
will elect the candidates nominated on
the 18th day Of June in Maine, and at the
Chicago Convention.
The Democratic party. on the other
hand. seeing certain defeat, are obliged
to draft into service candidates who have
no hope of winning an election. If there
were any prospect of success before the
Democratic party of Maine, there would
be plenty Of Democrats to oppose the
present Governor in the Primaries and
plenty of able men in the Democratic
party that would be willing to defeat
Senator Johnson. Yet, the idea of certain
failure and defeat ought not to cause the
Democratic party to violate the Primary
Law and attempt to nominate Its candi-
dates by the rejected convention methods
I admit that it is necessary for the Demo-
cratic and Progressive parties to hold to-
gether their organization and not lose
their place upon the ballot, but all these
attempts to endorse candidates at con-
ventions and by committees will result in
repeating the Primary Law, if it's fate is
ever carelessly left in the hands of such
friends.
And then. after the Progressive party
have held their State convention, the So
cialists of Maine meet in State conven-
ton, and put in their platform a plank
to abolish the United States Senate. If
candidates for the United States Senate
can be nominated by the use Of money,
bands. red fire, resolutions and news
papers, then it may be better to abolish
the United States Senate. The people are
disguised with these attempts to repeal
the Primary Law, to substitute for the
will of the people. the desire of the poll
tician, to confuse and deceive the voters
as to the real issues of the hour.
From dignifed campaign of education,
conducted on a high plane, as it Should
be. the politicians have arranged and
staged burlesque to defeat the Primary
Law, until we find that 1t is now a con-
test of buttons and bands against breadth
and brains, a resolutions and refresh
ments against records and reliability
political panoramas and Poland water
against patriotism and the peoples pri-
maries.
If, on the 18th day Of June next, the
people neglect to attend the Primaries
and rebuke these machine methods, or in
disgust and dissatisfaction leave the
nomination of candidates to the mercy of
the oid-time politicians and their retain
ers and heelers and supporters. then the
Primary Law will be repealed, and we
will return again to the old method of
nominating candidates for office,
method that has once almost wrecked the
Republic.
These are not pleasing prospects to call
to the attention of the people, but l fear
lessly face the facts, and speak out the
truth, as I see it, in order to arouse the
voters to sense of their responsibility
and to the dangers that confront them
Esau again offers Isaac his mess of pot
tage The noisy politician is clamoring
for votes on the ground that he has his
residence in a certain portion OF the State
and he is appealing to the loyalty and
support of his locality and city in a con-
test for United States Senator.
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