Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-08-25
AT Republican
Headquarters

has held Maine in it's grip. The hot
test place in the State has been in Au-
gusta and the hottest place in Augusta
has been the Republican headquarters
in the new Purinton block on Water
street.
But the heat has held no terrors for
Chairman Frank ]. Ham of the Re-
publican State committee and his as
sistants. A big force has been con-
stantly engaged, not only during the
day, but we'll into the night at times.
for the work to be done has been a
mammoth one and the details them
selves are legion.
Immense quantities of literature, not
only on State but national issues. have
been sent out to people everywhere.
Thousands of folders and pamphlets
have been sent to the State committee
men in the various counties, while
thousands Of other pieces of mail have
been sent direct to local committee
men, candidates and voters in general.
The matter has been prepared in way
that cannot fail to make its appea! to
the voters of the State. There have
been no long, dreary discussions of is
sues in the printed matter, but short.
pointed paragraphs that have driven
forcefully home the points to be made.
Notwithstanding the reports that
have been printed in one Boston paper
to the effect that the Maine Republican
committee has been lacking in organ
ization and in a capable leader, MOTH
ing could be stronger proof of the ex-
cellent way in which the campaign is
being conducted than visit to the
headquarters on Water street to see
the work being done.
BY far the most complex Of all the
many duties has been the arranging
of the itineraries for the speakers COM
ing into Maine as well as for the local
speakers who are also to be heard on
the stump. AS has been too often the
case. some of the speakers coming
from Washington have, at the last mo-
ment, cancelled their engagements be-
cause of business matters, while ILL
ness has detained others. Substitutes
have been provided in most cases but
there have been times when cancella-
tions have been made at such short
notice that it has been only by stren-
uous efforts that speaking engagements
have been filled. During the first week
Of the campaign, not a single meeting
has had to be cancelled because of the
non-appearance of a speaker. Ar
engagements have been so carefully
worked out and the itineraries have
been so thoroughly planned that the
speakers have been able to get from
one point to another with ease.
Distressing as has been the hot
weather, it is very gratifying to the
Republicans to know that at all Of the
meetings, the attendance at the rallies
has been even larger than was ex-
pected. In all of the big centers the
halls where the speakers have held
forth have been packed and the con-
gressmen who are devoting their ef-
forts to the State campaign have
shown their appreciation of this fact
By giving the very best there is in
them to the campaign. The result has
been that never before in the history
of Maine politics have there been so
many good rallies held in the city nor
have there been such genuinely enthu-
siastic audiences as have listened to
the speakers. Republicans everywhere
have taken this as the most favorable
sign.
Good as has been the start for the
first week Of the campaign. the rallies
during the second week will be even
bigger and the three weeks Of speak
ing will come to a triumphant conclu-
sion on Sept. with the appearance Of
Charles Evans Hughes, the Republic
can nominee for President, spending
three days in the State. Col. Roose-
welt is the biggest speaker scheduled
for the second week of the campaign.
while the third and last week will sec
other national figures in addition to
Justice Hughes. So thorough have
been the arrangements for the speak
ing tours that there Is hardly village
and town in the State but what will
BE given the opportunity Of listening to
some national speaker Of prominence.
while the men who are regarded ~
leaders Of the party VIII be heard IN