Daily Kennebec journal., 1922-06-01
A FEATURE OF THE senate.
RIAL CAMPAIGN

IL mas DCcn the pClCy Oh ine henne-
bee Journal to take no part as be-
tween Republican candidates during
Primary campaigns. In What we are
about 20 say We do not wish to be
understood as departing from tha,
general policy. But in the selection
" candidate for L. s. Senator there
is one outstanding feature Of so much
importance that we believe it may
VITA perfect pYopriety be brought to
the attention OF the Electorate at
this time.
Senator Hale. whose first term is
nearing 4 close is a candidate for re-
nomination, ana Mr.. Guernsey of
Dover -FoXcroft and Mr.. Davies of
Yarmouth are seeking the nomina-
tion. \ very significant feature of
this contest is that complaint is not
made Of what Senator Hale has done
or has not done.
Tho policy which has afforded
Maine great advantage in the ma
tlonal congress for more than half a
century is recognition of the great t
influence in all congressional matters
which may be had only through sem
iorlty. In no other way may the leg
islator ;Cquire so distinguished a
share In the work of the legislative
committees which shape legislation
to a large degree. This is inevitable; !;
there is no chance to avoid 1t; no
state which takes pride in it's inf!u-
once in national legislation can af-
ford to overlook it or throw it aside
except for the weightiest reasons.
Recognizing this and acting upon it.
Maine has pronted for more than two
generations. II was not because Nell
son Dingley was an orator that he
boclMe so prominent in shaping our
national policy in banking and tariff
legislation but because of long ex-
perience ana thorough study, or,
quoting the words of President Nc
Klnley: Ills success can be largely
attributed to his thorough knowledge
~ the important subjects of national
legislation Maine kept him on the
job and so it was he came to the
chairmanship Of the Ways and
Means Committee and his state
shared in the credit for the great
work he there performed.
During his first term Senator Hale
has -bocu moving toward seniority of
important committees, is now a
member of tho Appropriations, Naval
Affairs and Rules Committees. In
the former he is fifth in seniority of
ten Republicans, in Naval Affairs, he
WILL If rc-elcctcd. be next in order to
the Chairman and Of the seven Re-
puhlicans on the Rules Committee he
ranks third. These amount to ad-
vantaEes to the state he serves. They
cannot he transferred to a new men,
ber whatever might be his excellence
Nowhere does 1t appear that in the
performance of his duties of these
positions. Senator Hale has acted
otherwise than as the representative
Of tho state Of Maine or has in any
way neglected the calls upon his at
tentlon.
Furthermore, we assume, it is
pleasing to the average citizen of
MJine, TO read that Senator Hale has
the confidence of President Harding,
IS regarded as an earnest, efficient
supporter Of the Administration.
Maine has great confidence in Pres
idcnt Harding's principles and good
sense, in his choice Of advisors, and,
regarding the latter, il is in evidence
that he has been judiclous in select
ing them. Republicans, too, should
recognize the fact that Democrats
would attach Importance to the de-
feat Of Senator Hale for n second
term and would say that Maine had
given the Administration a slap. This,
II course, wouldn't be true. Maine
would have no such purpose in mind.
but how are administration support
ess in distant ports of the country to
be convinced Of It?
The people are thinking about the
clndidates, and this should be en-
cour.ged. Moreover It is exceedingly
important that they should think
clearly that they should judiciousiy
weigh all important matters bearing
upon the selection. that they should
think Of the State Of Maine rather
than OF the personality of any candi-
date. or Of securing doubtful and pet
ty advantage for any clique.