Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-03-29
Wednesday, March 20, 1916.
Republican Harmony in Maine"

The republicans of Maine have
just had notable success with a har-
mony convention, in which the former
riogressiveS played conspicuous
part and the delegates TO Chicago
viii go unpledged, With the widest
hherts' and discretion in nominating a
presidential ticket. While Hughes is
reported to i,e the favorite of the
Maine delegation at this time, Mr..
Roostvelts downeast friends are con-
iident that his interests and claims
will not he ignored in case the situa :
ton next June points to him as the
r?"st desirable candidate the repub-
lican party could nominate.
The wisdom of the Maine republic
cans and progressives is conspicuous
in this crisis and the state that has
given to the republican, party such
political leaders in the past 60 years as
Hannibal 1amlin, William Pitt Fes-
sender. James G. Bihine,. Thomas 3.
Reed. William r. Frye and Nelson
Dingley, has never been lacking in
political insight of high quality. Maine
has been barometer state in Ameri-
can politics for a half-century. Stu
ated at the eastern extremity Of the
Union, 1t has curiously foreshadowed
in its local elections about every
democratic revival the nation has ex-
perienced and has reflected the demo.
cratic resurgehce into power by it's
election Of state and national officials
and representatives. Even in Mr..
Blaine's greatest days an oncoming
democratic wave was quickly felt in
Maine. H-
Four years ago. the wrecking OF
the republican party in that state was
quickened by the enlightened and pro-
gressive Canadian reciprocity policy
Of President Taft, which alienated a
large mass Of republican voters. The
Roosevelt following in Maine was viz
tually created by the reciprocity cpl
sode But the attachment Of those
voters to Mr.. Roosevelt is not so pas
sonate that they would demand his
nomination now at the risk Of the re-
election of President Wilson. Maine
has had two democratic United States
senators within the past four years.
for, as usual, the republicans OF that
interesting state pay a stiff price for
their party schisms and quarrels.
After a very short experience. demo-
Gratis in office become unholy blem-
ishes on Names political landscape,
and out they go.
When Maine republicans grow wise
and begin considering the main chance
in party warfare. the outlook in the
nation for the republican party IN
variably grows brighter For Maine
not only forecasts democratic Y'suc-
cesses in the country at large; 1t IS
also one Of the first states to feel the
rising sap Of the inevitable republican
restoration. 1t amounts to this
there's nothing more ominous Tor
democrats than when republicans get
torether east of the Piscataqua.-
Springfield Republican.
The sage Of the Connecticut valley
speaks from long experience and OBJ
servation. It is q thick and THIN sup
porter Of the present administration
and it is not digging up glooms except
for the sake of giving the facts. 1t
does not deal in false gloon1s, for 1t IS
an optimist and would sooner enter
tain false hopes. It's verdict. there's
nothing more ominous for Democrats
than when Republicans get together
east of the Piscataqua," will come
down like a thousand of bricks" on
the false hopes Of Democracy.
The sap of Republican restoration
is indeed rising and revivifying every
branch Of the grand. fruitful. political
tree. Maine feels it first and will
put forth in September a foliage that
will inspire the November states