Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-07-16
"oh, the summer night
Has q smile Of light
And she sits on q sapphire throne
GIVE US TRUTH-AND PENAL
TIES

ttEo
We assume. and we think people
generally are confident. that what
ever illegal methods were employed
at any polling place in this State.
such are not in any way chargeable
to either Of the contesting candi-
dates for governor in the Republi-
can primary. The afidavits al
ready presented. accompanying the
request for recount Of the
ballots. to say nothing OF current
reports, seem to warrant the as
sumption that a feudal spirit, out
side more than inside the Republi-
can party. was the impelling factor
behind much of the alleged dirty
work at the polls. All OF US
may be chargeable for indifference
to slack methods at polling
places. failure to observe all the
requirements of the law. failure at
times. perhaps. to insist upon in
vestigation and prosecution of al
legged crookedness. but surely the
iniquity charged in the affidavits be-
fore the Governor and Council. is
attributable to but few. neither rep
resenting the Republican party nor
its leaders.
The extent Of this feud. jas ex-
emplified by some from among
Democratic Klansmen and Demo-
cratic Catholics injecting it into
the Republican primaries. could not
have been foreseen by many.
Indeed. the fact that Mr.. Brewster
accepted the Associated Press re-
ports of the election and con-
graduated his opponent. Mr.. Far
rington. argues that he did not ap-
prehend such serious conditions as
are now being revealed. As for
Mr.. harrington. we. who have
known him from his boyhood, can
not conceive anything more absurd
than to charge him with even
collision in such practices. His OPP
ponent. Senator Brewster. makes
that clear.
Senator Harrington Is not one who
would wish to profit from such a
condition of things. He spoke with
all sincerity in his dignified state
ment to the Governor and Council:
Il have no desire except to have the
truth established" That Of course
includes the whole truth. We hope
it can be revealed, although it is
almost too much to expect. The
more of 1t that Is brought to light
and properly presented to the public
the sooner may relief be expected
for the deplorable situation which
now exists.
Republicans. who would serve
their party. Democrats who would
permit the Republicans the same
privileges in the primary elections
that they insist upon for themselves.
good citizens OF all or Of no parties,
should do everything in their power
to bring out the truth and then to
insist that penalties for misconduct
be enforced. that the laws under
which we live be enforced or re-
pealed.
Surely II these charges be true
or approximately true there are a
few people in this State, now at
large and chuckling. who should
be serving time in the Thomaston
State Prison without benefit of
parole. That class Of criminal
will not be reformed by naughty.
naughty" or a slap on the wrist.
With these 1t Is not meant to
include the lax or ignorant Of
fetal who may unwittingly have
contributed to the scandal. He,
however, should not be permitted
longer to cucumber in any official
capacity any polling place in this
State.
II justice is to be done. this re-
count and such judicial decisions as
may be required by the questions
arising. should receive the prompt
est attention possible. There should
be no delays, no unnecessary ouib-
bling.
The Governor 10 Right
Since writing the above We have
received report of the statement
made by the Governor. II Is a
statement which does him and the
State he represents credit. He
recognizes the imperative duty to
sift the evidence and then to do
what the evidence may show needs
to be done. He says there should
be no delays. 1t is very important
there should be no delay. He does
not attempt to evade the obligation
to see that house-cleaning is
thorough and fearless. In 90 far as
his action serves to determine the
rights Of the Republican party he
ID defending the rights Of all
parties. and Of our rights to sur
fraSe. Great injustice already has
been done in the outrageous attempt
made upon the integrity Of q great
political party. Some evidently
look for political reward from the
outrage. Any delay. any lack OF
hrmnsss. any evasion Of responsi.'
bility would contribute to the in
EQUITY Of such reward. This must
not be.
81. swithin's Day. July is. hav-