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

lature of Maine had been canvasseo
by these candidates.
If It is understood and expected that
candidates must make their announce
ment years ahead or meet pledges
made years ahead, then fear for the
life of the Primary Law and feel that
popular government is failure and
a farce.
Among sporting men on the race
track there is known and recognized
the great advantage Of scoring" and
getting the pole. That means. as I
understand it, that tho pole horse has
the advantage because he Is ahead Of
the others and gets u start at the out
set that the others find hard to over
come. In scoring, however. the at
tempt to take unfair advantage often
results in a setting back or loss Of
staying qualities, because the racer Is
exhausted in trying to get the ad-
vantage, and the result Is that the
first getting away often fails to come
first under the wire.
| My opponents followed up their
canvass Of the legislature by having
inserted in the newspapers advertise
ments that on such and such days,
some central point or summer resort.
with bands and clam bakes, they
would meet the Republican leaders
and have run together. and get ac-
quainted with the voters. In the last
good old summer time. received
from a political committee Of a certain
city in this State, an invitation, say
ing in substance that a great gather
ing Of Republicans would be held on
the shore Of certain bay on a Ger
tain day, when a clam bake would be
served up to the faithful, and that Col.
So-and-So and Ex-Governor So-and-
So, candidates for United States
Senator, would be present and meet
the Republicans, and that the COM
mittee would be pleased if I would
also honor them with my presence,
etc.
I wrote the committee that would
be delighted to accept the invitation
and be present, and that l would be
there on the day in question and as 1t
was in the interest of candidates for
United States Senator, would be
pleased to discuss political questions
of the hour with the other two candi-
dates for United States Senator, and
we would make it very interesting for
the people, and it would give them an
opportunity to get acquainted with the
candidates, in the way thes Primary
Law contemplates.
The next thing knew, the clam bake
was called off and has not been held
since. A discussion Of the records Of
the candidates and their position on
public questions did not suit the poll
ticians Of that city or, the candidate
who had succeeded in getting up the
celebration.
While there is no special objection
to the party getting together at all
times and places and stirring up en-
thusiasm for the cause. it is no part Of
the duty Of Republican committees to
assist in booming candidates for Office
before the time when they could circu-
late nomination papers. Otherwise,
there is no vacation in politics, and
here In Maine, with biennial elections
we would be in hot water all the time.
If man born and bred in Maine, who
has arrived at the years when he is
eligible for United States Senator, can
not get his record before the people in
six months before election, he either
has no record or depends upon some
thing else to secure his nomination. 1
hope that the time will come when the
Primary Law will be so amended that
no one can announce himself candi-
date until after the first day of the
year of the election.
And this was not all. With the ad-
vent Of the beautiful autumn days Of
last year and the coming of the coun-
ty fairs, came also these same two
candidates. Nearly every newspaper
contained statements of their presence
at the several county fairs, and some
gave glowing accounts Of how many
pledges they had obtained at these
fairs. The county fair is a valuable
institution. 1t should be fostered and
patronized by the people Of the state.
Fairs are educational institutions in
agriculture and a great benefit to our
people. but when they become an OPP
portunfty for jealous candidate to
canvas for an Office year ahead, the
Primary Law receives the blame that
ought to be laid to the door Of the poll
dtician. l can imagine what must have
transpired at these fairs, knowing, as
you do. the zeal and enthusiasm of my
| OppOloIlIS. his Is the picture that
might be painted Of the work of these
two candidates.
! The Maine farmer had lost his in
terest In the coming election, it was SO
far away, and he hoped the evil day
would be long way off. He had come
to the fair with his wife and children
to meet his friends and neighbors, to
watch the game Of baseball and the
races. to exhibit the produce Of his
farm and to obtain, if possible, blue
ribbon, and while all was going merry
as marriage bell. his peace of mind is
rudely shattered by the old game Of
politics. played something like this
While he is exhibiting with great pride
to his neighbors his prize heifer, he
noticed at his side smiling, portly,
well-dressed individual who resembled
banker or retired millionaire, who
says to him. "My friend. that is a fine
animal Of yours and she ought to get
the first prize. 1 am much interested
in good stock, as I am farmer myself"
And Farmer Jones looks with surprise
upon the fat and we'll dressed stranger
and says, You a farmer? BY Gosh,
never would have thought it." Yes"