New Britain herald., 1924-09-09
MAINE, BREWSTER AND THE
 KHAN

Maine has spoken in it's usual manner. The Republican candidates have won the state election. There is much satisfaction in G. o. P. na- tional circles. After weeks of stress ing the fact that Maine was no longer a "barometer' state-espe- cially not this year, with the Klan mixed in its politics-one may now expect the assertion from all Repub- lican journals in good and regular standing that Maine remains a baro- meter, weathervane or weathercock, and that the result in Maine in its final analysis is rip-roaring Cool idge victory.
 Ralph o. Brewster, elected gover- nor, never mentioned the Klan in his addresses, dispatches say. That the Klan backed him, however, was generally admitted, but in what de- gree this accounts for the unex- pectedly large plurality over William R. Pattangall is a matter of specula- tion. AS Maine normally is Repub- lican the entire victory cannot in reason be ascribed to the Kan, yet klan votes unmistakably contributed materially to the Brewster plurality. It had been repeatedly stated by the writers on the scene that the Klan was the leading issue and Gen. Dawes tackled the subject during his speech at Augusta. If the Kan actu- ally was the paramount. issue then the Brewster victory is Kan vic- tory. If the Klan was not the prime issue then the victory cannot be re- garded as one for the klan.
 It was stated that the Kan had announced it would control Maine this year and take state officials into its membership. Gov. Baxter in d speech said "The most uncertain thing in Maine politics today is the klan,'' and that racial and sectaran animosities seem to have become the campaign issues" Brewster was the protege of Baxter.
 It is probable that the entire Maine victory cannot be attributed to the Klan, but in our opinion the bedsheet organization had much to do with the Brewster plurality, which probably would not have been as large had it not been for the KIan influence.
 It must not be overlooked that Brewster is not a product of the 4"Old Guard" Republicans of the state. Before the primaries when Brewster first announced himself as 8 candidate for the nomination, he was opposed by the Republican ma chine, which put up Senator Frank c. Harrington to run against him. The machine nearly nominated Far rington, and the secretary of state saye him the official certificate de- noting he was the victorious candi- date. But Brewster obtained a re- count, when it was discovered that much fraud had been perpetrated by the political machinists in Portland, so that court of appeal certified Brewster had gained the victory.
 Brewster had served six years in the legislature and was spokesman for Gov. Baxter during his last term. Baxter is what is known ss pro- gressiee Republican, which is also Brewster's politics.
 Brewster. Christian Scientist, is opposed to the compulsory vaccina- etion law and 24 leading physicians, ali Republicans, campaigned against him as menace to medical institu- tons. The people of Maine, it ap- pears were not greatly disturbed over this angle Of the campaign.
 Political luck has played false with Pattangau. He has been at terney general and nearly obtained this office in the federal government during the Wilson administration, when Bainbridge Colby asked the president to appoint Pattangall. But the president preferred A. Mitchell Palmers It also was PattangalPs second unsuccessful run for the gov ernorship, he having been defeated by Baxter in 1922. In state where the political parties are more evenly divided Pattangall easily could gain political ascendancy; but in Maine his difficulties are too numerous.
 Conditions in Maine being what they are, with the Klan at least strongly entrenched on the side Of Brewster, the result cannot be ae- espted in a barometrical sense. Its main effect probably n,ia be that
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