Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-09-27
Coolidge Strength
Continued from Page One)

New England tour-the great silent
Coolidge strength which is much mar
ticulate till the voting booths Open 1t
was this vote that upset the prophecies
! of many expert political observers in
Maine and Massachusetts.
The writer was in Maine just pre-
ceding its election and found many
good judges of politics predicting a
mighty close contest for the governor
ship or else frankly fearing the cleo
tion of Pattangall. the able Democratic
candidate. The result, as is known.
was gratifying surprise to most of
the Republicans themselves. II came
about despite Brewster. the Republic
can nominee, the Ku Klux Khan issue,
and the Republican State machine.
brewster was elected mainly because
of the slogan "A vote for Brewster Is
a vote for Coolidge
The next day the same thing was
evidenced in just as striking fashion
in Massachusetts,. Speaker Frederick
II. Gillctt, a splendid man. but a can
! didate who was an amateur in politics.
without organized political machine.
without statewide acquaintance. and
| lacking skill and mastery in politics,
swept to easy victory over two men
who were better known that he. who
had much better political organiza ton,
and who entered the contest without
any substantial political handicaps. To
folks outside Massachusetts. by the
way, this word about Speaker Gillett
may sound strange; but it is true. The
speaker is a type of the scholar in
politics, never made a real campaign
even in his home district before. and
when he ran for deIegate-at-large TO
the convention in 1920 many persons in
! the eastern end of the state thought he
was the safety razor man.
Less than week before the Bay
State primaries the writer talked with
several good political observers. All
! of them said that the outlook was not
bright for Gillctt victory and sew
cral were willing to bet money that
Gillett would run last. 1t has been
| learned that the same gloomy report 9
| were given to men close to the presi-
dent in Washington who were working
| for Gillctt.
The Gillett victory was surp' iSin.,
| revelation of the silent Coolidge
strength i'm Observation-Disclosures that
and nothing more. Hy the same token
Mr.. Gillett, in all probability. will he
| elected senator in November. defeating
Senator David l.. Walsh. the strongest
| Democrat in New England. who will
come before the voters with no mean
record of legislative achievement in
Washington
Counting this silent confidence in
! Coolidge" it is difficult to figure HON
| the Democrats can wiring much hope
out of New England Vermont. it < .es
without saving. is safe for the presi-
dent. Maine has spoken. New Hamp-
shire is expected to speak the same way
although Gov. Brown. Democrat. who
is running for reelection. is giving
capt. Winant Republican nominee,
! some worry. New Hampshire Demo-
Gratis hope that Brown may win but
they arc not betting money. Senator
Reyes. Republican. will be returned by
/ New Hampshire.
I In Connecticut the Democratic lead
/ ers admit that Coolidge ought to carry
/ the state ticket with him. Congress-
man OSullivan. Democrat. running for
( reelection i'm the fifth district, has a
/ chance but not TOO good a one. And
! speaking of congressman. Wason of
! New Hampshire. Democrat. is in the
| same boat with O'Sullivan.
| Massachusetts will exhibit faith In
/ Calvin Coolidge and may cut down her
| democratic congressman from three Ia
two.