Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-07-28
1ly2s-2l-25.zs-zs-S1
Letters To Governor
Discussed By Him
Concerning Recount

Governor BAKER ID Ohily Ala AoSSAbs
of numerous letters from men and
women of Maine who write him in
regard to the recount that Is now
going on.
Governor Baxter said:
Most of those who write to me
about the recount fail to appreciate
Just what il transpiring. A spirit
Of intolerance and bitterness too OF
ten is noted in the correspondence
am receiving daily. People write
letters to me in which they allege
that they will not support one can
didate or the other. al the case may
be, and insist upon the Councils CIV
Ang tho nomination to their favorite.
ell to give the nomination to any
man; It is not for the Council to
see to It. that any particular candi-
date il favored: 1t IL not for the
Council to save the State Of Maine.
a phrase often appearing in the cor
yespondence referred to.
'T have a number Of letters before
me in which the expression Is used,
81 he Zone Of the candidates) does
not have the nomination that belongs
TO him this State will 60 Democratic
and it 10 up to you to keep 1t Re-
publican Another phrase common
" used Is. I will not vote for any
Republican nominee other than Mr..
.-. In still other letters It Is
alleged that only one candidate
(naming. the particular man IN cues
tion) 10 the honest choice Of the peo-
pls.' Another expression that often
appears 10 that II (naming the can
didate) IN nominated for Governor 1t
will be because Of fraud and the poll
ticians.'
II deplors such statements as those
uuoted above and want the people
OF the State to understand that the
Governor and Council are simply
counting the votes and that the
VOTES, not tho Governor and Coun-
Gil. will decide this question. the
Governor and Council occupy the po-
sition Of an adding machine; they
will announce the totals a. they APP
pear. whoever Is the winner. II is
true that there 10 some discretion as
70 the Interpretation of the ballots.
but in every case the candidates
themselves have been given an OPP
portunity to see the questionable bal.
lots. and the Supreme Court VIII
xuide the Governor and Council In
their decisions upon them.
There IL no politics In the re-
count that now Is going on; 1t 10
nothing more than q matter OF BUSH
ness. The Governor and Council are
under solemn oaths to perform their
duties fairly ana impartially. ana
that oath 10 beng scrupulously lived
IN to. want the people OF Maine
to know that there never was a more
honest, conscientious board OF men
than the present Councillors. They
are an honor and credit to this State.
"The members of the party whose
candidate Is involved should abide by
the result, and should take hold and
do their best to support their can
didates and their party and the
principles for which they stand. 1t
matters not that this 10 a recount OF
the ballots Of one Of the parties; the
same principles would apply TO
either.
zone candidate must lose. and the
one who does will be manly enough
to be q good loser and congratulate
his successful opponent. The same
sportsmanlike spirit should animate
the friends and supporters of the
loser, There IL O future for all those
who accept defeat smilingly and
gracefully; there IL no future for the
loser who cries fraud and whimpers
about unfairness.
"Both Mr.. Harrington and Mr..
Brewster throughout these proceed
ings have shown themselves to be
men Of character. poise and fairness.
In every way they have been courte-
GUS. kindly and confederate. ! have
known and admired them, both for
years, and their attitude during these
long and tedious days have been In
spring. The ballots must decide this
question for me. and for all Repub-
licans. After that we Republicans
will see to It that September 8. 1924
will be Q day Of rejoicing long to be
remembered In the history Of our
Party.
IT predict that instead Of this re-
count proving Q disturbing factor In