Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-08-08
Party honesty 10 party expectancy.
-Grover Cleveland.
LET'S HAVE A REAL REPU1LI.
CAN ELECTION


concluded a. recount of the Republi-
can Primary ballot declare Mr..
J. >wster the nominee OF the Repub-
lcan party in Maine. From such
evidence as we have, we believe he
should receive the support OF the Re-
publican party. II he does receive
such support he will, ie he lives, be
the next Governor OF Maine.
Both aspirants for the position at
the head OF the Republican ticket
have conducted themselves creditably
to themselves and to their party.
The contest was hard fought, but
neither OF the leading opponents be-
Titled himself by abuse OF the other.
nor can be held responsible for any
abuse in which some may have in
dulged. Mr.. Brewster promptly and
graciously accepted the verdict given
on the face OF the returns and when
it became evident that this verdict
was In serious doubt his opponent.
Mr.. Harrington unhesitatingly showed
his wish in no way to profit from
wrongdoing. He has co-operated in
correcting the abuses.
These facts IT would not be fair to
overlook. The friends OF Senator
harrington. and the closeness OF the
election shows that he has a host Of
them. are naturally disappointed bu,
we cannot think they are going to
permit that disappointment to blind
their eyes to the demands OF party
and of good sportsmanship.
We would not blink the evidence of
apprehension there has been among
many lest the nomination OF Mr..
Brewster would result in dominance
OF affairs by the Ku Klux. II Is very
evident he has received the support
of that organization. His attitude on
tho school question. support OF which.
however. Is not confined to the mem
bers OF the Khan. seems to account
for that apprehension, but Mr..
Brewster has declared that he is not
affiliated or obligated to that organi-
zation. We accept his statement as
dence to show that all who supported
him are mambers of that organiza-
ton and, even at that, the closeness
OF the primary election seems to US
sufficient proof that there need be
no real apprehension of his admins
tration on that account. He certainly
has demonstrated ability OF high or
der in this campaign.
Much OF that which in effect proved
wrong doing In the primary was
thoughtless tolerance OF abuses the
full import OF which was not thor
oughly understood. And among these
We would include many OF the Demo-
Gratis voting for one or the other OF
the Republican candidates. 1t has
long been accepted as proper to urge
those in an opposing party to come
over to the other party's views. those
who in some way have appeared to
have inclinations to do so. II with
out knowing that Democrats urged to
vote In the Republican primaries
would not support the nominee those
urging were within their rights. but
It is evident there was altogether too
little heed given to whether this
would be done.
There has been altogether a dis
ouiet,ng and discreditable amount OF
100 little heed, all around, not only
respecting the nomination of Re-
publican candidate by Democratic
support but also of the require
ments of the law. For this Republi-
cans are not alone responsible. In
deed there doubtless are some who
will say that had the investigation
been carried throughout the State
and into all details the result per-
haps might have been different
though we do not find evidence to
support such a conclusion. 1t seems
to us that the authorities have made
every practical endeavor to arrive at
the truth without fear or favor.
The defeated candidate in manly
letter endorses what has been done.
In this respect a dignified and very
credi,able effort has been made.
This we should recognize. 1t helps
to stabilize the situation: 1t helps to
support the good name or the State.
Recognition Of these facts also will
help us all in the deplorable situa-
ton that has arisen and which really
affects us all. It also will help along
these lines very materially IL at
least some Of the guilty ones are
brought to penalty. 1t is humanity
impossible to get them all; 1t may
be those who may be punished will
not be the ones most deserving. OF
this. We however do feel sure. there
will be none penalized unless they
richly deserve It. Our apprehension
10 that they will not get what they
deserve.
We cannot hold up our heads II
we are unable to have an election
In Maine with at least reasonable
Observance Of the requirements Of
the laws. nor II the laws be proved
impracticable we do not make them
%. This contest has demonstrated.
beyond question We believe, that the
primary law should either be made
practicable or repealed.
Both sidess In the Republican
primary having had the fortunes Of