Evening journal., 1916-08-31
EXPECT roosevelt
Will SWING MAINE
Republican Leaders Believe
Speech Will Prepare
Way for Hughes
PLAN MONSTER RALLY,
PROGRESSIVES JOIN

PORTLAND. Me. Aug 31-Theodore
Roosevelt will deliver his first speech
for Hughes and Fairbanks in Lewis
ton tonight Republicans and Progress
ives will unite TO give to his reception
on that occasion a statewide signih-
cance. Il will not be Lewiston merely
but the State of Maine that will well
come the former President
Republican leaders do not conceal
their qualification at Roosevelts entry
into the Maine campaign. With Roose-
velts speech the ground will be pre-
pared. the leaders believe. for a greet
ing 10 Charles e. Hughes when he
comes that will carry CONSERVATION
into the Wilson campaign. showing
how fallacious is the claim Of the
Presidents friends that Maine is fall
tering in its adhesion to Republican
principles and candidates.
Sweeping Victory Sought.
The Hughes leaders say that IL
Republican plurality were all that was
desired that might be assured without
bringing either Hughes or Roosevelt
into the State. But Maine. i'm their
Judgment should do more than elect
a Republican Governor and two Re
publican United States Senators and
three of the four Congress candidates.
They want 10 see Il roll up a Repub-
lican plurality in the September cleo
tions that will stand as a beacon TO
the country at large. They wish Maine
as in the past to point the way un-
equiv ocally to a great Republican vic
tory in the nation in November.
The Wilson administration. as they
know, is prepared 10 interpret even n
normal Republican plurality in Maine as
evidence that there is no strong demand
for change of Presidents. Such an
interpr' il is said here, would out
rage public sentiment in Maine; for il
there is one part of the country. it, is
declared, where the voters have reason
10 repudiate Wilson and his works il IS
right here in northern New England
Wilson's ship purchase bill was the
last straw That means great deal 10
the people of Maine. Shipbuilding Is
one Of the States important industries
The ship purchase bin, forced through
Congress by the President, will deal II
is fearcd..a mortal blow in that provis-
ion which will enable foreign built ves-
sells to enter the coastwise trade. II is
evident that next to the tariff issue. al
ways the leading one here, the issue
raised by Wilson's ship purchase act Is
going to play big part in deciding the
SIZE OF the Republican vote next month.
Democrats Fighting Hard.
II the Democratic state ticket suffers
stunning defeat in the September cleo
tions il will not be for lack of help from
Washington. The Wilson administration
has poured, and continues to pour. ITS
ablest spellbinders into the State. IL
has not withheld its Cabinet officers.
Baker, Secretary of War; Reddcld, See
retary OF Commerce. and Gregory, At
torney-General, have spoken. How many
others are 10 come is not known. As
for speakers Of less note. although in
many cases, perhaps. greater ability,
the state is fairly overrun with them.
These Democratic orators have not
had the field TO themselves. but they
have had the first say in many places.
and TO that fact is ascribed the feeling
which prevails TO some extent in Demo
cratic circles that Maine this year is
debatable ground.
Republicans assert that II any time
has been lost on their part u will be
made up. The feeling throughout the
State is declared 10 be excellent. Pro-
! gressive leaders are working in har-
mony with Republican leaders.
There has been some holding back
among the Progressive rank and file
at certain points But that amounts
merely to saying Progressive en-
! thusiasm for the ticket has not been
! aroused in equal degree in all parts
! of the State. Roosevelts speech in
Lewiston will change that, Il Is be-
] lieved
] Hughes Popular In State.
] There is no question whatever OF
the popularity OF Hughes with Maine
Z voters, Progressive and Republican.
This has been one Of the states in
which Hughes always has been
strong. The short tour which the
] Republican candidate for President Is
scheduled to make in this State Will
demonstrate, the leaders say. Names
thoroughgoing and hearty approval
Of his nomination in Chicago.
General satisfaction Is expressed IN
the change OF schedule which will
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