Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-04-16
PROPONENTS OUT IN FORCE
AT AUGUSTA MEETING 0B00ST
STATE BRIDGE PLAN AT BATH
BREWSTER CHARGES
SOME DEMOCRATS TO
VOTE 6 0 P PRIMARY

Jay, Me-, April 15-"At the opening
of the campaign, William r. Pattan-
gall, the Democratic candidate for
governor in this state, in a public
address opposed my selection as the
Republican candidate for governor"
State Senator Ralph o Brewster of
Portland declared in an address here
today. Republicans very generally
and many Democrats rensented Mr..
Pattangalrs attempt to influence the
action of the Republicans of
Maine In selecting a candidate
to oppose him. 1T seems evil
dent that Mr.. Pattangall's oppo
sition to my nomination is based
upon the probable strength of my
candidacy as his opponent. Very
many Democrats have indicated their
intention of supporting me in Sep
TENDER IL 1 receive the Republican
nomination.
Meanwhile a definite and appar-
emily concerted movement has devel-
oped in certain cities looking to the
participation of groups of Demo-
Gratis in the Republican primary for
the purpose of opposing my nomina-
ton. Consciously or unconsciously
Mr.. Pattangalrs opposition to me is
such a movement.
Il believe the Republicans Of Maine
are entirely capable of writing their
own platform and nominating their
own candidates and that Mr.. Pat
tangalra concern over my possible
nomination will react in my favor.
1.-THE concensus of opinion of COM
netent observers is that the chief OPP
position to my nomination comes
from such groups together with GER
tain individuals who do not care for
my independence Of political control.
THE Knight of Columbus, a Roman
Catholic organization. are bitterly
opposing my nomination. Their OPP
position Is based upon my advocacy
of constitutional amendment pro-
hibiting the diversion of public
school funds to sectarian or paro-
chial schools. They have a perfect
right to believe in tho diversion of
public school funds to parochial
schools and to advocate the adoption
of this policy in all proper ways but
1t seems to me very desirable that
their position In this matter should
be open rather than secret
1.-The advocacy of this constitution
al amendment cannot be considered
as any evidence of prejudice toward
their religion since 1t applies to all
religious denominations alike and
four fifths of the institutions affect
ed by this proposed amendment, in
sofar as state grants are concerned,
are protestant institutions. Thirty
three states have already adopted
practically this same amendment as
Il protecting bulwark for their public
school system against the encroach-
ment of any and all religious sects.
an Massachusetts the amendment
was known as the Curtis-Lomasney
amendment. being sponsored by Ed
win u. Curtis, of Boston police strike
fame, and Martin Lomasney, n Ro-
man Catholic ward leader of Boston.
Hon. David /. Walsh. now United
States Senator stood with him in the
advocacy OF 1t, and many other Ro-
man Catholic members of that Con-
stitutional convention. The urged
the adoption of this amendment in
the words of the Hon. William II.
Sullivan of Boston, speaking not as
"a politician or as 4 Catholic, but as
an American, because it will
prevent dissension, disruption, dis
union"
Il know that many Roman Catholic
citizens of this state endorse my po-
sition in this matter, believing ear
nestly in maintaining the integrity
of the pubic school system. say
this in justice to them although the
appeal to group loyalty seems that
they do not here feel free to take the
position which Walsh and Lomasney
and Sullivan took in Massachusetts,
when this amendment was under
consideration there.
ut should be clear that the only
issue which l have raised in this
matter is an issue of the public
school system and it's maintenance
intact. This affects in no way the
religious beliefs of anyone"