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

LlOuStST pStlllOH AHu 1iAAoAy
was laid before the Judiciary Commit
tee Of the Maine Legislature. we
| could not turn it down. we could not
refuse to receive 1t, We had to recos-
nize and respect 1t. The old-time
politicians crept into our room ana
viewed this work Of the people with
jealous eyes-the professional lobbyist
looked upon it as the death warrant OF
his fondest hopes, while he wondered
how he could destroy its influence and
| power.
The law went to the people, and
then commenced a campaign that
rocked to it's foundations the old State
Of Maine. United labor rose like
mighty giant from his sleep and said,
"At last we shall have a voice in the
choice Of our servants: there shall be
no longer in this state the packed
caucus and the old-time convention
with its might before" when the ma
chine makes up the SLATE" and money
is king. The "embattled farmers"
that wrested Maine from the wilder
ness and made her the peer OF the
greatest state Of the Union gathered
their invincible forces in one ire
sistible mass and Joined with organ
lied labor in a holy alliance for free
dom, and the result you all know. The
Primary Law was enacted by popu-
lar vote that expressed the will of the
people that ought never to be disre-
garded; the will Of the people which
still has power to sweep into eternal
oblivion politicians and parties who
dare to oppose 1t.
| o1I, ax,Ii Io}4 s, al hv, 10
Primary Law to make public an
nouncement to the people Of his posi-
ton on public questions: he is to
stand on his record and on that alone;
his campaign is one of education: he
has no right to receive or claim the
endorsement and support Of a politi-
cal committee, as committee, or Of
any party organization to which he
belongs. His campaign is one Of edu-
cation; the voters Of his political
faith are to be left free to make up
their minds (by investigation and ex-
animation of the records Of the candi-
dates) as to their position on ques-
tons of the hour, as to which they
will support in the Primaries, and
then, at the Primary election, to make
their choice free from any improper
influences.
The Primary election is held the
third Monday in June. In the month
of March, before that election, are
held the party conventions. which
conventions are for the purpose Of
adopting party platforms and electing
State and county committees. presi-
Dental electors and delegates to the
na conventions nd 1T hop
purpose.
The people, however, are confronted
at the present time with what seems
to be deliberate and studied attempt
to repeal the Primary Law, not by
reason Of any fault of the law. but by
reason of the improper acts Of certain
candidates for Office.
1t is not a pleasan. task to criticize
the conduct Of an opponent or a politi-
cal party. 1t Is still more unpleasant
to condemn that conduct if 1t is found
to be that Of candidates Of ones own
party; but, to save for the people their
Primary Law and to protect their
rights against the schemes Of the pro-
fessional politician, 1t Is necessary
that we should fearlessly meet present
conditions and arouse the people to
the dangers that confront this State
and this republic.
Under the wise provisions Of the
Primary Law. no ono can become a
candidate for United States Senator
by nomination petitions until after
January first Of the year Of the cleo
ton. This gives the candidates six
months to make their campaign.
which is time enough for all legiti-
mate purposes, and long enough for
the state to be stirred up by the
claims and the canvass Of jealous
candidates. The people Of Maine.
however, have been met with the dis
gushing spectacle OF two candidates
for the United States Senate Initial
ing, inaugurating and conducting an
extensive and expensive campaign for
that nomination, for a year and a half
before the next Primary election.
Their example has done more to
Ijeopardize the Primary law than any
other acts Of the enemies Of free gov
eminent. It has caused certain news,
papers in this State to seriously dis
cuss already the question of who will
be the Republican candidates for
United States Senator from Maine in
1918, and 1t has called forth a denial
from the able Representative in Con-
gress from the Third District that he
is not a candidate for the United
States Senate in 1918. and it has also
forced the present Republican Senator
from Maine to deny that he has made
any announcement that he is a candi-
date for denomination in 1918. 1t was
the fault of the old system that the
slate was made up years ahead, that
nominations were made far in advance
by the politicians and the machine;
and such conduct as / have men
toned has tendency to bring about
q return to the old methods that the
people have 50 lately and so complete
ly repudiated.
Yes. it is true that while the last
Maine Legislature was in session, a
year and a half before the next Prim-
airy election, my two opponents for the
nomination as United States Senator
came to the capital and spent much
time in canvassing and laboring
among the members of the legislature
to obtain pledges Of support. At a
time when there were pending in the
legislature over a thousand measures
Of interest to the people Of the State.