the special election replace senator fernald occurred near height of ku klux klan s influence in maine politics. klan infiltration of republican party split maine republicans, klansmen finding champion in maine governor owen brewster, , chief opponents in former governor percival p. baxter , senator frederick hale. gould, wife catholic, ran on anti-klan platform after receiving republican nomination senator, caused gov. brewster take unprecedented step of denouncing own party s candidate in general election.
the maine special election of national importance because u.s. senate evenly split along party lines (47 47). maine democrats, however, deserted party in droves vote gould, in order break power of republican klan faction. in unprecedented outcome, gould carried every city , county in state. chairman of republican state committee hailed gould s victory demonstrating sinister influence of oath-bound organization no longer threatens welfare of maine . issue played out 1 more time, however, when gov. brewster challenged sen. hale republican senate nomination in 1928, , lost, signaling eclipse of grand dragon deforest h. perkins , klan force in maine politics.
although gould no friend of klan, once joined senate committee on immigration, sponsored legislation of klan have approved. in 1930 proposed bill have set quota on immigration canada, reducing maine s québécois population. measure defeated.
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