Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-11-27
WE THINK MAINE is SORRY, MR..
GOULD

We think Maine, Irrespective Of
partisanship, is sorry Mr.. Gould, be-
cause you have been charged before
q tribunal with having falsified your
campaign expense account. We
assume that with comparatively
few exceptions Maine people will
feel that you are to be con-
graduated because those charges
were absolutely unsupported at the
hearing; that not witness, includ-
ing the Rev. A. F. Leigh, who pre-
ferred the charges. as he says with
the specific motive Of getting rid OF
an inadequate law, including also
Governor Brewster, whose letter at
lacking you appeared to have another
motive, that not one of them testified
to any knowledge that you had sex
ceeded the limit in your expenditures.
Yet 1t cannot be assum07 that these
complainants did not know, when
those charges were made at the
eleventh hour, that the burden OF
proof under the law was on them.
we think, too, that Maine PEOPLE,
although we do not assume to speak
for them, will feel sorry that these
proceedings are a distinct discour-
agement to men of business who
otherwise might contribute to our
public affairs those qualities that
have wrought successfully in private
affairs. We must have represent
atives Of the legal profession in the
making of laws but outstanding men
in other walks of life a re needed.
But they cannot have what the
politician or the propaganda has, an
organization, secret or otherwise, to
rely upon for aid in a primary, aid
that many thousands of the business
mans dollars might not compete
with; neither are they in the public
eye; people generally have not made
their acquaintance. This is a severe
handicap. You must realize 1t better
than most. The idea that the
northern part of the State should be
represented by a candidate was q
great factor in your favor. probably
the deciding factor. Add to this the
overwhelming support of your own
Aroostook people. who know you. and
again we think You are to be con-
graduated.
We regret that Maine is not to be
congratulated on the impression that
has been broadcast in sensational
headlines. Our Senatorial primary
was in no sense an orgy of political
debauchery. We learn Of no evidence
of lavish expenditure, no bribing of
voters, no paid watchers at the polls.
As we saw 1t, and as we believe 1t
was generally seen, the Senatorial
primary campaign in this State was
as sensible, as clean as might be
found In any State throughout the
length and breadth of the country.
We Furthermore regret being of the
Republican faith, that these unsup-
ported charges have given aid to that
effort which is being made to dis
credit the Coolidge administration.
For the moment conditions in Maine
are spoken Of along with those re-
ported in Pennsylvania and Illinois
where 1t Is said millions were spent
at the primary, and to which, as we
all must know, there is here no resem-
blance. Maine does not deserve this;
the Republicans of Maine do not de-
serve it, but it takes as long for a
correct impression to overtake an in
correct one as it does for tie truth
to overtake lie.
You have not attempted, Mr.. Gould,
to debauch the electorate of this
State, and YOU couldn't have done it
had you tried. What has been, we
believe, a very unjust attack upon
you may result, however L. ddvant-
age to the State and to future can
didacies by way of a sensible law in
place of the absurd l.: under which
we are now endeavoring to work.
q