The Pittsburgh Press (September 9, 1946)
Maine votes today in test of Republican strength
With GOP to win easily, leaders watch size of victories; bonus is an issue
PORTLAND, Maine (UP) – Maine voters ballot today in the first state election of 1946 and one that is regarded traditionally as a barometer of Republican strength in November.
The election also is regarded as a test of the power of the CIO Political Action Committee in this traditional Republican stronghold since the PAC has denounced three of the five top GOP incumbents seeking re-election.
The Republicans are favored to win easily – Maine has voted Republican consistently since the Civil War – but the size of the majorities GOP candidates pile up will be of primary importance to the leaders of both major parties.
Political observers feel that failure of the GOP to poll 65 percent of the vote would be a serious blow to the party’s hopes nationally in November.
PAC opposes Brewster
U.S. Sen. Owen Brewster of Dexter, running for re-election for a second term, is opposed by the PAC which favors Peter M. McDonald of Rumford, a former chairman of the Democratic State Committee. Mr. Brewster is favored to win.
Davis Clark of Milo, 30-year-old veteran, is running for governor on the Democratic ticket, opposing incumbent Horace A. Hildreth of Cumberland, who is seeking his second term.
The big issue in the gubernatorial campaign is a referendum on whether the state should float a 16-million-dollar bond issue to pay the veterans a bonus. Gov. Hildreth, although not a veteran himself, is in favor of the bonus. Mr. Clark is opposed to it.
$150 bonus proposed
Under the proposed bonus, each money to be raised by a five percent luxury tax on such items as liquor and cosmetics.
Mr. Clark opposed the bonus on the grounds that the tax would force Maine’s 90,000 veterans to pay “an unreasonable and unfair share of their own bonus.”
In the congressional contests, Rep. Robert Hale, R-Portland, is opposed by John C. Fitzgerald, a PAC candidate from Portland; Rep. Margaret Chase Smith of Skowhegan, the only Republican with PAC endorsement, is running against Edward J. Beauchamp, D-Lewiston, and Rep. Frank Fellows of Bangor is opposed by John M. Coghill of Old Town.
Mr. Coghill also has the support of the PAC.