Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-10-09
Harding and Cox


cratic conventions had met in June
and had chosen their respective
standard bearers it looked as if the
campaign were to be one conducted
wholly on party lines and on party
policies. Neither of the candidates
was a national figure nor possessed
Of a wide reputation. Neither seemed
to be n man around whom large
popular following would rally. Meth
er party was satisfied with it's can
didate. In SO far as these things
We're true, the race started even.
How do the candidates stand now,
after three months of campaigning,
during which time the people have
taken pains to get acquainted with
them, subjecting them to close scrut-
my and sizing them up on the basis
of their own campaign speeches and
performances?
The most moderate estimates Of
distribution of electoral votes give
Harding Il majority of 40 Or 80 and
enthusiastic supporters claim that
he will be elected by one of the big
gest majorities ever recorded for a
Presidential candidate. One after
one, men of prominence who have
voted the Democratic ticket all
their lives, are coming out in formal
announcements that hey will sup
port Harding. Men who do not
make public announcements of this
kind also are to be found in increas-
ing numbers, declaring that they will
not throw their votes to saddle this
country with another four years of
wisconsin, And Harding Democrat
ie clubs are being formed by these
men to work for the election of the
Republican candidate.
The change has come about
through the impression which these
two Ohloans have been making upon
their fellow countrymen. And in
addition to the distinctly party
trend of the campaign, the PERSONAL
ity factor is playing part.
Senator Harding is showing him.
self to be careful, conscientious
sincere and serious minded man who
seems to consider that campaign
promises should mean what they say
and be Of the kind that can be full
filled. He makes up his mind with
deliberation and having come to a
decision, Sticks to it. In his speech
es Senator Harding has dealt with
the problems that are of real weight
and of vital Importance to the peo-
pie of this country. His utterances
on agriculture. industry, and educa
tien are sound and of statesmanlike
caIibre.
His opponent has failed to draw to
himself the Republican and Pro-
gressive support which he claimed
he would win, and on the contrary.
has succeeded in disgusting and
alternating hosts Of his own party.
He has been promising everything
and making the most rash state
ments of what he would do if elect
ed. when had he stopped to think, he
would have known as his hearers
have known. that such promises can
not be fulfilled. He has presented
himself in varying aspects to vary
ing audiences, changing like a
chameleon in order to fit into the
particular environment of the mo-
ment He has devoted much of his
time and his voice to baseless OPP
probrium Of the Republican party.
efforts which have reacted to his
decided disadvantage. He Is bonn
bastic and impulsive and wholly
fails to measure up to the size of
the man whom this country wants
as its chief executive.
The choice between the two men
= not going to be difficult.
Those people who have been having