The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-08-01
CHAIRMAN HOLLEYSENDS
OPEN LETTER
WouId Cut Out Campaign This Year

f. H. Holley Of North Anson, re-
Gently elected chairman of the Somer-
set County Republican Committee
hopes to join with the Democrats in
eliminating the cost and effort usual
" devoted to the political campaign
of election years. The following let
ter to Chairman F. r. Madden of the
Democratic Caunty Committee is self
explanatory:
North Anson, Maine, July %, 1918
Mr. Frank Madden.
Chairman Democratic County Com
mittee,
Skowhegan, Maine.
Nv Dear Mr. Madden:
At a time when the fate of our
country hangs in the balance, when
the interests of every true American
are engrossed in doing those things
which are most essential to success
full termination Of the war, when every
available cent should be working in
support of those principles of demo-
cracy which we enjoy and for which
we are fighting, | believe that 1t is not
only wrong, but that it reflects dis
credit upon those very principles, to
try to influence or control. in behalf
of party interests, the exercise of the
principles of democracy in support of
which we entered this war; and | be-
lieye that every dollar used unneces-
sarily in a political campaign during
this war is Stacker dollar.
In my capacity as chairman of the
-
erset, I wish to submit for your con-
sideration the following proposition
| propose that the Democratic and the
Republican parties in Somerset Coun-
ty, through their respective commit
tees enter into an agreement to dis
pense, during the coming campaign,
with all rallies and public meetings
of every kind devoted in whole or in
part to furthering the interests of po-
litical parties or of candidates, to-
gether with the usual concomitants
of such meetings-public speaking,
parades, music and red fire. Nothing
herein is to be interpreted as in any
way limiting patriotic speeches not of
a partisan nature.
OF course I realize that this plan
may meet with the opposition of the
politicians, but | believe that the vot-
ers, whose representatives we have
become by accepting the craftsmanship
of our respective committees. are
heartily in sympathy with conducting
the campaign in Somerset County in
manner in keeping with the condi-
tions that now exist They believe
as | believe that political parties
ho IQOrpp of
economy that the needs of our gov
ernment require of the citizen. and
that political campaign with its ex-
pense and excitement is out of keep
ing with a time so fraught with sacri :,
fee.
As this is a matter which yitally
concerns the voters of Somerset Coun-
ty, | am handing copy of this letter
to the Independent Reporter to be
published this week, and | would like
your reply in the same manner.
Respectfully,
FRANK H. HOLLEY,
Chairman Republican
County Committee.
Chairman Madden replies to Mr..
Holey as follows.
Skowhegan, Me-, July 81, 1918.
Hon F. H. Holley,
Chairman Of the Republican County
Committee,
North Arson, Me
My Dear Mr. Holley:
Your letter concerning plans to
eliminate. during the coming summer,
the expense and effort incident to a
political campaign, is before me.
While | have not had an opportuni-
ty to confer with other members OF
our committee, and the time is so
brief before I must furnish copy to
the printer that | cannot have con-
sultation with them. | am quite sure
they will unite with me in approval
of the suggestion you make AS a.
matter of fact, we had already deter
mined, regardless OF what your party
might do, not to make the usual con-
test. This conclusion had been ar
rived at from the very circumstances
you now so ably present. AS you
have stated, the present times are so !
strenuous and serious, the needs for
funds and energy is so great, that a
political campaign of the sort we have
had in previous years would be decld-
eQly out OF JaSte. Every uUlldi VI
funds and every hour of time should
be devoted toward winning the war,
and political strife should be entire
ly set aside.
We are full Of enthusiasm for our
noble President at this hour, not be
cause he is a Democrat but because
he is the country's leader during the
greatest crisis in all history. He
would stagger and fall under the
mighty burden which has descended
upon him, but for the loyal support OF
the men and women OF all parties. we
are grateful for any suggestion from
any source that will conserve funds,
time and energy for the backing which I
our chief executive has right to ex-
pect in the present great emergency
Count upon me and, am confident, |
upon my associates. to receive your
overtures in the friendly spirit In
which they are made and to cooper
ate with you fully in the program
which you suggest.
Very truly yours,
FRANK r MADDEN,