Brass Tacks At Washington

1916

Judge Hughes and the Republican Party are challenged in the new Democratic National Textbook to speak out for or against the record of achievement made by President Wilson and the Democrats.

The challenge is issued in twenty-one brief, direct and pointed questions addressed to Judge Hughes and the Republicans by the Democratic National Committee and the Democratic Congressional Committee. All the large issues, domestic and international, are treated. The questions carry the caption "Appeal for Light for Sixteen Million Voters: Let Mr. Hughes and the Republican Party Answer."

These questions are:

1. Do you favor repeal of the Federal Reserve Act passed by a Democratic Congress, recommended and approved by President Wilson, under which the danger of financial panics is forever banished from the United States?

2. Would you have protested against the violation of Belgian neutrality and have backed the protest by plunging America into the European carnival of slaughter?

3. Do you favor repeal of the Rural Credits Act, passed by a Democratic Congress, recommended and approved by President Wilson, which gives long-term credit at interest rates that promise an annual saving of $150,000,000 to the farmers?

4. Would you have recognized Victoriano Huerta as President of Mexico?

5. Do. you favor repeal of the Clayton Anti-trust Act, passed by a Democratic Congress and approved by President Wilson, which overthrew the principle that the labor of a human being is a mere commodity of commerce?

6. Will you, Mr. Hughes, recommend, and will the Republican Party in Congress support a law establishing universal compulsory military service in the United States?

7. Do you advocate repeal of the Federal Trade Commission Act, passed by a Democratic Congress, recommended and approved by President Wilson, which has given so much assistance to legitimate business enterprises and under which adequate protection against unfair competion is provided?

8. Mr. Hughes, would you have tried the policy of diplomatic negotiation as a means of summoning the moral force of law and neutral opinion to stop Germany's illegal use of submarines?

9. Do you favor repeal of the "porkless" Good Roads Act, passed by a Democratic Congress and approved by President Wilson, for the development of rural highways?

10. Would you, Mr. Hughes, have broken relations with Germany and sent our young men by the hundreds of thousands to nameless graves at the bottom of the Atlantic or in Flanders before the policy of diplomatic negotiation had had thorough trial?

11. Will you undertake to repeal the income tax, passed by a Democratic Congress, recommended and approved by President Wilson, which places a just share of the burden of taxation upon those best able to bear it?

12. Do you favor violating neutrality and risking the future safety of your country by placing an embargo on munitions of war?

13. Do you favor repeal of the Agricultural Extension Act, passed by a Democratic Congress, recommended and approved by President Wilson, which for the first time provides facilities for carrying direct to the farmer practical scientific knowledge of how to increase the profits of his farm?

14. Do you favor intervention in Mexico?

15. Do you advocate repeal of the Grain Standards and Warehouse Acts, passed by a Democratic Congress, recommended and approved by President Wilson, which aid commerce in the great staple cereals and enable owners of stored agricultural products to secure loans on warehouse receipts on better terms?

16. What is your attitude towards the disloyalists of your party who have attempted to prevent the enforcement by President Wilson, both on the part of the American government and by all American citizens, of an honest neutrality towards all the warring nations of Europe?

17 Inasmuch as the largest amount collected in any one year under the highest tariff ever enacted (Payne-Aldrich Act) was $333,000,000, what form of taxation would you substitute to pay a "Preparedness" cost of $630,000,000?

18. Do you favor the reactionary Republican plan of granting huge subsidies to favored corporations, money collected from the people by taxation, as the best way of encouraging the development of an American merchant marine?

19. Do you favor repeal of the Child Labor Law, the Anti-Injunction Law, the Seaman's Act and related social justice measures of high importance, passed by a Democratic Congress and recommended and approved by President Wilson?

20. Do you favor re-enactment of the Payne-Aldrich Act which betrayed your party's campaign pledge of 1908 and which has been repudiated by many Republican and all Progressive leaders?

21. Do you stand with those Progressives and progressive Republicans in Congress who voted for practically all the progressive measures mentioned above, or do you stand with the reactionary Republicans who voted against them?

In conclusion, the two Democratic Committees say,

"President Wilson and the Democratic Party submit their case to the American people on the record they have made. Broadly speaking that is the issue of the campaign. Upon the public survey and estimate of that record depends the outcome of the election.

"If, as charged by you, Mr. Hughes, and your supporters, that record is bad and does not justify the continued confidence of the country it will become your duty, if elected, to do all in your power to change that record. We submit that in all fairness the American people, for whose verdict you are contesting, are entitled to know how much of this record you and your party will attempt to destroy if placed in power."

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 12, 1916, p. 8.

Republican Uber Alles

Maine, 1916

Portland Sept. 12. — Maine Republicans reinforced by returning Progressives, won a signal victory at the State election yesterday.

They elected a Governor, auditor, two United States senators, four congressmen, and wresting control of the State House of Representatives from the Democrats, will be able on a joint ballot of the Legislature to elect the other State officers not chosen by popular vote.

Carl E. Milliken led his ticket, defeating Gov. Oakley C. Curtis, who sought re-election, by a plurality of approximately 12,000.

The Republican drift extended to county tickets, the greater number of counties choosing county attorneys and sheriffs. These offices are important locally because the holders are charged with the enforcement of the prohibition law.

The vote was heavy, as has been expected, for the campaign has been waged with a determination not seen in recent years. The country was searched out for speakers of national prominence by both parties, and the greater number of these battled on national issues. The fight was particularly hot for the two United States senatorships, and the four places held by Maine in the lower House at Washington. The national defense, the tariff and the eight-hour law for railroad men loomed large in the discussions.

The Progressives, who two years ago cast 18,226 votes, returned largely to the Republican party, in the opinion of Republican leaders.

The closest fight was for congressman from the second district, where Congressman Daniel J. McGillicuddy was defeated by Wallace H. White, Jr., whose plurality was about 500.

United States Senator Charles F. Johnson, whose wide popularity had given the Democrats great hope of his return, was defeated by Frederick Hale, son of the ex-senator, whose margin was approximately 9500 votes. For the other seat in the Senate for the short term, former Governer Bert M. Fernald defeated Kenneth C. M. Sills, dean of Bowdoin college, with 12,000 votes to spare.

L. B. Goodall won from L. A. Stevens in the first congressional district by 3000. Congressman John A. Peters retained his seat, defeating John E. Bunker in the third district by 4000. Ira G. Hersey defeated Leonard A. Pierce in the fourth congressional district with a plurality of 5000.

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 12, 1916, p. 7.

Tuesday, September 12, 1916 — Editorial Comments

Maine/New Hampshire, 1916

Alice B. Glines, editor

All who ran were elected.

The spellbinders are gone; peace to them.

What is so rare as a day in June? A September day, not infrequently.

We common people get the little end; and deserve it, by voting against ourselves.

The plan to annex South Portland to Portland and raise the Portland tax rate another jog is now on foot again.

Sometimes you can tell what a thing is by taking notice of what something else isn't. The Boston Transcript says there has been "no pussyfooting" by Judge Hughes on the Adamson bill, and declares this to be "the supreme sensation of the campaign."

A woman in Portland who has married the same man three times and been divorced from him twice now wants to be divorced again. Next time she better get someone who does not get drunk to marry her, unless there is some incongruity in that program.

Our present governor's repeated disregard of the nicer things of life, the non-essentials perhaps, had much to do with calling out the huge "stay-at-home vote" which can not he reached by appeals based on the real problems of government. Governor-elect Milliken is his exact opposite in these regards.

Belknap County Pomona last week argued the question whether summer boarders and bungalow residents are more conducive to the prosperity of a town, or good roads and good markets. One trouble with this question is that it is mixed; if a town can get good roads they will not lead to markets or trains, but be laid out to suit that same summer travel. As for good markets, we in northern New England must first decide whether commerce is a good or a bad thing. Markets mean trade.

It was unhandsome of Mr. Samuel Untermeyer to put it in print, but he had no less an authority than the late Thomas Brackett Reed to back up his statement of the abilities of Maine people (Query: Are we different from, the people where he comes from?) to untangle mixed political conditions. Mr. Reed always said that it was foolish to try to discuss public questions on their merits before a mixed audience; and all he ever tried to do in his campaign speeches was to appeal to our sympathies, or prejudices, and make us laugh at his funny stories and witty hits.

President Gompers of the Labor Unions was not fair in his Portland statement of the attitude of the train men, which he said was not at all a threat. He said they merely said to the roads that if they wanted men to work on the present terms of employment they must get other men to do it. But this was in truth not in the least the attitude or the intentions of the trainmen. On the contrary, if an average of one in a hundred per week of the trainmen should really throw up their jobs for some other employment, the railroad agents would voluntarily shorten the hours, or raise the pay, whichever the men seemed to prefer.

Judge Hughes at Rockland on Saturday said, speaking of the Eight-Hour law enacted by Congress under threat of a strike by the train crews:

"This issue transcends every other issue before the American people, because it is the fundamental issue, whether or not we have a Government; and an Administration that yields to force is not an administration at all. It is being driven. It is not government in accordance with the principles of American institutions."

From which the thoughtful reader cannot escape the inference that if the railroad men had not threatened to strike, in that case there would not been any issue of the highest degree of importance for the Republican party to base its canvass on.

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 12, 1916, p. 6.

Wilson's Legislative Program

1916

Washington, Sept. 10 — Whether President Wilson is re-elected or not, he has definitely outlined and will endeavor to put through the following program at December session of Congress:

First, a law patterned after Canadian industrial dispute act, providing that strikes shall be made illegal on semi-public utilities until there has been full investigation and report by an arbitration board to be established. It is his proposition that present meditation and conciliation board shall be strengthened and extended to take over functions of arbitration.

A bill to extend membership of Commerce Commission to nine members, to establish a zone system, and to generally revise powers of the commission so that wages may be taken into consideration is estimating what freight rates are reasonable.

Enactment of the Webb law, permitting co-operation among American manufacturers for export trade.

Additional legislation to be worked out by new tariff commission and to be submitted to Congress with a view to meeting trade conditions after the war.

No formal announcement will be made of this program before election, but the President has informally announced to members of his Cabinet that he intends to make a strong fight for constructive legislation at the December session, regardless of manner in which the election turns out. The President has expressed desire to devote himself in the next four years to more constructive legislation, taking the view that the way has been cleared by the past four years. If he finds he is not to have four years more, he will seek to complete his program at the December session, despite the fact that it is always difficult to get through any bill at the short session.

Incidentally, the President has expressed opinion that he hopes Mr. Hughes will continue to dwell upon the eight hour law, insisting that he will welcome this as an issue. Nevertheless, many advisers of the President are worried about this particular phase of the campaign.

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 12, 1916, p. 6.

Suffragettes Disowned

1916

Atlantic City, N. J., Sept. 6. — The National American Woman Suffrage Association today decided to continue its policy of favoring both National and State legislation to bring about equal rights for women.

Virtually all the speakers declared for strict neutrality in the Presidential campaign and to continue the non-partisan efforts of the association to bring about equal suffrage throughout the United States.

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 12, 1916, p. 6.

American Bar Association

1916

Senator George Sutherland of Utah was elected president of the American Bar Association for 1917, defeating by four votes Walter George Smith of Philadelphia. The vote was 26 for Senator Sutherland and 22 for Mr. Smith. Mr. Smith was put on the executive committee.

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 12, 1916, p. 3.

Noted Around Home

Maine, 1916

George B. Newman, who has been the guest of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. B. L. Newman left on Monday to resume his position at the Pennsylvania State college.

F. R. Fife spent the week-end in Augusta.

Mrs. W. R. Tarbox was chosen National Inspector of the Ladies' G. A. R. at the National encampment recently held at Kansas City.

Mrs. Viola Kenerson spent Monday with her son at North Conway.

Harold Eastman was the week-end guest of Clayton Osgood.

Clifford Eastman and Earle Osgood spent a few days in camp at Lovell's pond last week.

Miss Edna Chase is to be the new assistant clerk in the post office, Miss Vera Howe leaving at the opening of Fryeburg Academy, where she is a member of the senior class.

Mrs. George Dunn joined Mr. Dunn in Boston for the week-end.

The ladies' circle will hold a baked bean supper at the vestry on Thursday evening under the direction of Mrs. S. H. Harriman. In the evening Mrs. Charles Simpson of North Chatham, N. H., will give readings, as a part of the entertainment.

The first meeting after the summer recess of the ladies' missionary society of the First Congregational church will be held with Miss Anna Barrows this afternoon.

Miss Alice B. Glines was the guest of Mr. and Mrs. A. A. Perry Sunday on an auto trip to Bridgton.

Mrs. E. G. Fife and Miss Maude Irish, Fryeburg's local milliners are in Boston this week, attending the Millinery openings.

Mrs. M. R. Wilber, Master Philip W. Wilber of Bolster's Mills and Mrs. William Delano of Norway were guests last week of Mrs. Virginia Hagar.

Benjamin O. Warren of Boston was the week-end guest of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. G. O. Warren, leaving Monday after exercising the right of franchise.

Mrs. Elizabeth Chadbourne is the guest of her daughter, Mrs. F. H. Jacobs at Hio Ridge, Bridgton.

Among those who attended the State fair at Lewiston last week were Mr. and Mrs. A. C. Pendexter, Mr. and Mrs. H. I. Perkins, Mrs. Leon Jack, Miss Edna Chase and Mr. and Mrs. C. E. Fox, Mr. and Mrs. Fox attended on Thursday and came home through Portland, remaining in that city to witness the demonstration accorded Charles E. Hughes.

Mr. Arthur Ward of Boston is the guest for two weeks of his mother, Mrs. Mary Ward.

Mrs. B. T. Newman and Mr. George B. Newman returned from their summer home at Long Island, Casco Bay, on Wednesday.

Mr. Arthur Hurlin left on Friday night to resume his position at the Mason College of Music, Charleston, West Virginia.

Mrs. M. W. Sautelle has gone to Lafayette, Ind., to spend the winter with her sister, Mrs. C. H. Benjamin.

There will be a meeting of the chorus at the home of Mrs. T. W. Charles, Friday afternoon, Sept. 15, at 2.30 o'clock for the purpose of electing officers for the coming year.

Mr. Samuel Evans was in Portland Thursday evening to hear Mr. Hughes in his address in the City Hall.

Mr. and Mrs. P. J. Meserve of Brunswick were in town Thursday, calling on former friends and acquaintances.

Hon. A. A. Perry returned from Boston on Saturday, making the trip via automobile.

Mr. Fred Haley has bought of the William Towle heirs the old Towle homestead on Main street.

Mrs. Whitehead, Miss Florence Whitehead and Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner Perry left Sunday afternoon for Boston.

Hon. Frank H. Haskell of Portland and Hon. William A. Carleton of Indiana were the speakers at the enthusiastic Democratic meeting held at K. of P. hall last Wednesday night. The speakers were introduced by A. O. Pike, chairman of the meeting, who stated that he took pride in the record of the Democracy for the past four years and introduced as the first speaker, Hon. Frank H. Haskell of Portland. Mr. Haskell is well-known throughout this part of the state and is an easy, entertaining and logical speaker. At this meeting he confined himself chiefly to state issues and to the reasons why he, a Progressive, was supporting the Democratic ticket in this campaign, having been a Progressive delegate to the National Convention at Chicago and being thoroughly well versed in state affairs his words carried weight and he was frequently interrupted by applause and cheers. Hon. William A. Carleton, who followed Mr. Haskell, was a fluent and brilliant speaker, the charm of whose oratory did not detract from the strength of his argument. His address dealt with the national issues. On Thursday night Mr. Haskell and Mr. Carleton spoke at North Fryeburg and on Saturday Mr. Carleton addressed a meeting at Lovell.

Dr. N. C. Thurlow and family left Monday for Burnham Junction where they will spend two weeks. Miss Lillian Pike will be in charge of the office during Dr. Thurlow's absence.

Dr. S. C. Gordon has been in Portland for two days this week.

Mr. Paul Robinson of Bangor is spending two weeks in town.

Considerable interest is being manifested in the exhibits for the West Oxford fair. Six granges have signified their intention of competing for the generous prizes offered and there will be several exhibitors of live stock who have not registered in previous years. There will also be new exhibitors in the fancy work department from Cornish and Portland.

Mrs. F. H. Haskell, who has been in town for a few weeks, the guest of her aunt, Miss May S. Howe, returned to her home in Woodfords on Friday.

Mrs. William W. Howe of Winthrop, was in town for the week-end, going to Wentworth Hall on Monday.

Mr. and Mrs. C. E. Fox spent Sunday as the guests of Mr. and Mrs. B. E. Brown at Brown's Camps, Centre Lovell.

Mrs. M. B. Barker, who has been quite ill throughout the summer, was able to be up town on Monday.

Miss Maud M. Irish is in Boston to procure her autumn millinery.

At the Church of the New Jerusalem on Sunday last the regular organist, Mrs. Z. O. Wentworth, was assisted by H. Archie Hurd, who gave the following numbers: Prelude in D flat, Joseph Challerts; offertory, Handel's Largo, arranged by Whiting; Postlude, Prelude and Fugue, J. F. Bach.

Mrs. C. G. Willard, who has been a guest at George Weston's for a few weeks, returned to her home in Brockton, Mass., on Monday.

Rev. H. H. Hoyt of Hiram resumed his biweekly services at the Knights of Pythias hall on Sunday evening last, the meetings having been discontinued for a few weeks.

Mr. Frank Peterson, Clifford Eastman and Richard B. Chase will make the ascent of Mount Baldface on Wednesday if the weather is favorable and will remain over night.

Mr. Ellis W. McKeen left on Monday to resume his duties as submaster at the High school at Turner Center.

Mr. William H. Dougherty and family of Portland are the guests of Mr. William Kelly.

Mrs. Marshall Spring of Hiram is the guest of her daughter, Mrs. Blanche S. Page.

Mr. and Mrs. Wallace Cooke of Portland are guests at Ye Inn.

Miss Marion Charles is taking a vacation from her duties at Ye Inn and gone to her home in West Fryeburg. Her sister, Miss Bertha Charles is taking her place.

A large number of people gathered at E. P. Weston's on Monday night to witness the unfolding of a beautiful night blooming cereus.

Mr. Rudolf Ganz, the celebrated New York pianist, Mrs. Ganz, their son, and a party from Bridgton were at the Argue Not Inn on Sunday.

Mrs. B. N. Stone, Mrs. William Wiley of Peabody, and Mrs. F. W. Thoms as guests of Mrs. Hannah McKenney, motored to Jackson on Monday.

Mrs. Anne Shirley is quite ill at her home in Fryeburg.

Mr. and Mrs. Everett Ridlon and son and Mr. and Mrs. Dolby of Saco were at the Argue Not Inn on Sunday.

Mrs. William Anderson, Miss Louise Anderson and Wilson Anderson of Merion, Pa., are guests of Mr. and Mrs. A. H. Evans.

The election returns were received at Eastman store up to eleven o'clock last evening when it became pretty evident by reports from Portland which way the tide had turned. Fryeburg and its adjoining towns of Brownfield, Lovell, Hiram, Cornish, Parsonsfield and Porter all gave good Republican majority. Stow went Democratic 31 to 28 in favor of Curtis, the representative vote being Stearns 29, Spencer 30. Fryeburg polled 401 Republican votes an increase of 19 votes over the combined Republican and Progressive vote two years ago. The Democrats made a gain of 26 votes over two years ago.

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 12, 1916, p. 2.