The Republican journal., 1918-08-29
characterizes Opponents Of
War Program as PoIit-
ical PTofiteers
MAKES PLAIN STAND 81.
OF ADMINISTRATION
Complete Support Given Ma
tionaI Cover m mt Affairs
Conducted on Business Basis
/ How Maine Has Made Good

p, Augusta, Aug. 24.-Before gather
ing of 5000 Republicans at Island PARK
this noon, Governor Carl e. Mtuiken
gave his first political speech since his
Inauguration In January 1917. The ad-
dress followed a well nigh universal
request from newspapers and citizens
In general that the Chief Executive
reply to some of the criticisms that
had been made Of his administration.
Governor Milliken did reply and he
used no soft words in describing the
attacks made upon the war program OF
the State by men whom he referred to
as political profiteers".
Republicans were present from all
parts Of Maine There was general
noon q big lunch of beans baked IN
the ground was served Governor NIL
liken spoke Immediately afterwards.
He said:
Much has happened since we met
two years ago at similar gathering
In the open air honored then as now by
the presence of our distinguished fel-
'low-citizen of the town Of Wayne who
Is SO ably guiding the destinies OF the
great state of Pennsylvania.
Then, We were in the midst of an
active political campaign. Now, the
people rightly feel little interest In pol
itics and have little patience to hear
the claims of rival candidates except
as the choice of public servants may
help or hinder the one purpose which
we have at heart: that is, the vigor-
GUS prosecution of the war.
"As a great American has recently
we'll said: importantly is not the
noblest price to pay for Office and it
was never more ignoble than now.
The Importance of the personal for
tunes of each one of US is wholly
dwarfed. Poor time it is to drag out
personal claims into the day and
shrek out ones virtues for the passer-
by
81 have felt that our election in
Maine, like all other political ques-
lions during the war, should be de-
termined according to the voters
Judgment of the effect Of their action
upon the war program Of the nation,
and that in their intense absorption
with necessary war activities the peo-
pie might we'll be spared the usual po-
litical hurly-burly and the shoutings OF
rival candidates,
FALSE STORIES TOLD
ut appears, however, that, relying
upon this announced policy of the pres
ent administration and beguiled no
doubt by the intensity Of their craving
for public office, certain gentlemen
have been industriously going about
r%o IN ha asf fiva sly WpQES
spreading stories which they knew TO
foment unrest and dissatisfaction in
the minds Of the people in regard to
the administration in this state Of the
various acts of Congress and regula-
tons Of the War Department which
are absolutely essential to the recruit
ing and equipment of our army.
Now so long as these gentlemen
confine themselves TO personal attack
upon me or even to an attempt at re-
viving the acrimony and bitterness OF
partisanship which have been forgot
ten in Maine since the war began l am
reasonably content to let them go
their way unhindered- In following
such a course they do not represent
the sober good judgment of the great
mass of voters in their own party. In
raising the cry of partisanship at a
time when the hearts of our people are
strained to the breaking point these
gentlemen are showing the same de-
gree of tact which a politician would
display in selling upon the occasion
when a crowd had gathered for fu-
neral in order to address the assembly
upon his qualifications as prOspec-
tive ofice-holder.
and | have even suffered in silence
their attempts to mislead the people
in regard to the management of those
activities where the present State ad-
ministration represents, not the gov
eminent Of Maine, but the War Do
partment and the Government Of the
United States, for it is my duty above
everything else to see to 1t that the or
ders of the War Department are car
ried out smoothly and efficiently in
Maine and no political danger to my
self could justify my engaging in dis
cussions Of the unjust criticism Of the
administration Of military laws so
long as there was possibility that
the smooth operation Of this highly
important and delicate machinery
might be better served by my silence.