Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-04-04
IN THE HOUSE
Continued from Page One)

didate to file primary papers at the
Department OF State
Representative Curtis moved that
the bill presented by him be sub
stltutcd for the reports, his bill pro-
Nding for a convention with an ap-
pea by the primary system.
The bill was introduced not in a
spirit or antaSonism to any party,
group or bloc, but was presented to
fulfil the pledge made in the plat
form of the Republican party, de-
clared Representative Curtis.
The convention of the Republican
party at Bangor unanimously adopt
ed a plank sending the primary law
to the voters Cor their consideration,
continued Mr.. Curtis. During the
campaign not speech was made in
opposition to the submission of this
plank. Are YOU going TO say that
party platform pledges are but
scraps of paper
Mr.. Curtis then spoke at length
in rcfutation Of the statement that
there is no demand for a change.
stating that there has been a grow
ing demand for a change since the
enactment of the primary law. lie
said that speaking at Bangor a few
Years ago, t.N-Presidcnt Taft de-
clarcd that the primary law is most
pcrnicious and his remarks were
loudly applaudcd, and that speech
was not made ut a political meeting.
Representative Morrison OF PhilI
lips hoped that the motion 10 sub
stitute the bill for the three reports
would not prevail, lie said that he
stood in favor of carrying out the
pledge Of the party platform and
submitting to the people the pro-
position for them TO vote upon.
Il thought the convention system
was killed by the people j. years
ago" said Representative Palmer
of Island Falls. But like the little
old Egyptian King it has been dug
up by certain gentlemen. They have
dressed 1t in Il flimsy dress, but |
tell YOU it will take something more
than Il peek q boo dress to cover UP
its defects The old politicians want
it. They are stretching out their
feeble helpless hands to us.
"rhcy are calling out in loud
voices: Save us or We perish. Save
us with the caucus life boat
Representative Holmes OF Lewis
ton made a stirring plea for the re-
tcntion of the primary system until
the people themselves demanded
change. IF this bill is passed we
will go back to the old convention
which has been discarded by the
people" he said.
There never was an ADLER man in
the United States Senate than that
dirt farmer from Poland. Bert NJ.
E'eruald, and he was nominated I'M
der the primary system. and in tine
Congressman White Of the second
district will be as great a states
man as his grandfather. William T.
Frye. and he too was nominated
under the primary law.
REPRESENTATIVE Bartlett of Water
vile said that he favored the SUBJ
mission Of the matter to the people
and he was willing TO trust the pco-
pie.
Representative. Cakes of Portland
said he believed that the Legislature
should present to the people the
choice between the primary system
and some substitute.
This bill" said Rep. Cummings of
Portland, as he waved it aloft. is an
illcritimatc child left on the Republic
can doorstcps. to be taken IN ana
proye the apple of diScord IN the par
tv. In that respect it has been howl
ing success. In view of the fact that
the urinary originated with the people,
T believe | have to make my choice
between repudiating the plank IN the
nlatform and regulating the people of
the State Of Maine. When it comes to
that. | will rcpudiate the plank every
lime. The best thing to do is to throw
all these makeshifts into the waste
basket"
on division Of the House by vote
or IS to 102 the motion to substitute
ihe bin for the reports was lost. ana