The sun., 1918-09-09
MIRACLE IN MAINE
POLITICAL CAMPAIGN
Nary q Word Spoken About
Rum for First Time in
a. Years.
LIGHT VOTE LOOKED FOR
Gov. Milliken, Opposed by
State Assessor MacIntire,
Faces Cut in Plurality.
LIGHT VOTE LOOKED FOR

BANGOR, Sept s.-whatever the result
OF the State election tomorrow. II can bs
recorded that at last, after sixty-four
years OF ringing the alcoholic changes.
Maine finally has accomplished the mir
acle OF conducting a political campaign
without a word on rum. 1t hasn't
seemed at all like old times. when every
body fought and slandered everybody
else for the love OF Temperance" In
most respects the campaigning has been
rather trifing. often It has been silly
and always dry.
Maine is to elect a Governor. Legisla-
ture, county officers, State Auditor. four
Representatives in Congress and one
United States Senator. A new ballot Is
to be used. arranged somewhat after the
fashion or that in Massachusetts, by
means of which splitting will be much
easier than formerly.
Draft to Make Vote Light.
The vote will be much lighter than in
1915, perhaps the smallest In many
years, for a great many young men have
have left the state to engage in various
forms of war work in the great indus
trial centres The question Is: winch
party has suffered the greater loss from
these causes? And no one has the an
swer. Probably there is no great diner
ence between the two.
Gov. Carl E. Milliken, who won
over Oakley c. Curtis, Democrat. by a.
$50 votes in 1915. is opposed this year
by Bertrand G. MacIntire OF East
Waterford, one Of the oxford bear style
Of Democrats, successful business
man, a clever politician and something
Of a Prohibitionist. He is the soul OF
responsibility and conservatism, and
through his extensive travels as state
Assessor has formed a wide acquaint-
anco in all parts of Maine.
AS for issues in the Gubernatorial con-
test, there are none worth mentioning,
although a few have been brought out.
The Republicans have conducted no
speaking campaign. save for scattered
local rallies, not single big man having
been brought into the State. where for
merry illustrious spellbinders came in
focks. They haven't found word OF
fault with Mr.. MacIntire-as. indeed, no
one truthfully could-nor have they paid
much serious attention to the attacks
made by Democrats upon Gov. Milliken.
The Democrats charge Milliken with
having made. or caused to be made, some
rulings concerning the draft classified
ton as applied to married men with
dependent families. and relating to the
dispensing OF State aid to aged de-
pendents Of soldiers, which they declare
to be unjust and even cruel.
snys Rulings Were washinston's.
To this the Republicans reply that tho
Governor had no authority or discretion
in the matter of draft classification, but
merely followed orders from Washing
ton, and that he Is in no way responsible
for the Interpretation Of the term aged
as meaning at least 60 years. the Legis-
lature having Incorporated the word in
the law and the Interpretation being
made. properly, by the States chief law
officer, the Attorney-General.
The Democrats also charge the Cover
nor with fanatical zeal in the enforce
ment of blue laws" to which he
torts: 'There are the laws-I didn't
make them. but have sworn to enforce
all laws. If your laws don't suit, get \
new set. Don't blame me for them
for respecting my oath of office" And
that's the whole Gubernatorial campaign
in a nutshell.
In the matter OF the States delega-
ton In Congress, however, there is a
more substantial basis of appeal IL
isn't an issue, for every one is agreed
upon 1t. The only question is which
party If either. has exclusive proprietor
ship in it, The battle cry, started by the
Democrats and answered in At least
equal volume and vigor by the Repuhll-
cans is: support the President in tho
war"
Democrats argue that harmony aud
progress in war legislation would lie
served best by the election OF a Demo.
cratic majOrt". To this the Republicans
reply by roiutlR TO the record Of votes
in Consre-s which, they say. shows that
Republican members have far outdon-
their Democratic associates in support
OF Mr.. Wilson's war measures and tha'
in fact. the Administration would hn' =
been in sorry plight on more than one
critical occasion had not the RepuD-
licans come TO the rescue.
MiiIikcns Plurality May Fall.
The general situation being without
precedent. predictions and estimates Of
the result are no better than guesses II
seems likely that because OF the lesscned
total vote and on account OF his unpop-
ularity in cities and towns that are fond
of what they term personal liberty"
Gov. Milliker's plurality will be much
less than 1t was in 1916. and there are
thos" who confidently look for his defeat
There is little or no doubt, II appears,
~ Senator Fernald's election. nor of the
success OF the Republican candidate.
Peters and 1Iersey, in the Third and
Fourth districts respectively In the
First district where the present incum-
bent, Louis b. Goodall. is opposed by
Lucius L, SWEET. Democrat, the contest
may be close, for n great many Demo
cratic voters in the last year or two have
found work ut the Kittery Navy Yard.
In the Second district where two Years
ago Wallace II. White, Jr. defeated
Daniel ]. McGillicuddy, Democrat. by
only 547 votes in a total of 1929. Dem-
ocrats are confident and Republicans
fearful. for Dan Mac" as former Rap-
resentative McGilllCuddy IS familiarly
known. is q war horse OF fame. 10 whom
the wiping out OF a margin OF 5t7 votes
should be easy.
All Prophets may he dis"redItod. all
dopesters far astray, as to results, for
it's queer election year in Maine. But
anyway the battle viii be lost ard won
without the stimulating influence OF rum.
Prices are too high--$4 to Sc a quart.
An Incident OF the Stacker Raid.
To THE EDITOR OF TNIE SUN--Sh,