Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-07-07
Wednesday, July 2, 1920.
Head Of the Democratic Ticket

Heao or the Democratic Ticket
James M. Cox was born at Jack
sonburg. Ohio. March 81, 1870. on a
farm. educated in the public schools,
worked in a printing Office. became
newspaper reporter on the Cincinnati
Enquirer, was secretary to Congress
man Sorg, bought the Dayton Daily
News, 1898, and Springfield Press Re-
public, 1903, member Of Congress.
19o9-13, and is now serving his third
term as governor Of the State of Ohio
So far as appears in this part Of the
record Mr.. Cox has little more in the
way OF experience to qualify him
than has the governor Of any large
and important state, his COMPRESSION
al duties not being such as likely to
acquaint him with important phases
Of work that would come to him as
President. In this respect he lacks
candidate has had in the foreign af
fairs committee: on the other hand
the record is not in many ways dis
similar to that Of Senator Harding
and there are probably few who
would refuse to vote for him in the
belief he could not measure up to the
Office. We Americans have great
&c, xrrl,o hoc CHI
bility in a lesser sphere being capa-
BILE Of growth to larger stature.
) There is, however, that in the rec
ord Of Governor Cox which will not
recommend him to a large number
Of his own party, other than lack of
experience with international affairs
A member of the party remarked to
the writer on hearing Of the nomina-
ton: THAT convention could not
have made more suicidal selection"
He added that he would not vote the
ticket. Why? Because of Governor
Cox's attitude on the liquor question.
opinion. Doubtless there are many,
who at first may take like position,
who will be wheedled to support the
ticket on the ground that the Presi-
dent may not change the law of the
land. Nevertheless there will be a
host who will recall the words of
Wayne 3. Wheeler, general counsel
Of the Anti Saloon League: HE is
the last hope of the vets in their
program for notification"
Qualification" is the word that
points the way in which a President
Of the we'll known wet" persuasion
would be able to give aid and COM
fort to the wet" element which I'M
doubtedly is supporting him and will
continue to do so. Neither he nor his
party will dare to openly espouse-
for the present-a repeal Of part of
the Constitution. They and the rest
OF US realize in some degree the great
difficulties and expense attending the
enforcement OF the prohibitory law
and some Of US may guess at results
which would follow on a perfunctory
performance. In his address before
the Iroquois Club last March Govern
or Cox said: Never before has there
been such a pressing necessity fort
plain good faith on the part Of those
in whose hands governmental power
is"
He but spoke the truth and the ap-
plication of it to his candidacy will
not prove favorable to the Democra-
tic party. He may not be conscious
Of any purpose to break faith with
his oath. if elected, but so strong
have been his sympathies and affilia-
ton with the wet" element. that he
will be absolutely incapable of meet
ing that evident necessity for plain
good faith" as applied to the enforce
ment Of the law in which he does not
believe and hopes to see pass into
disrepute.