Reprinted in the Portland Press Herald newspaper, the headline and introduction set the tone for the platform report:

GOP Renounces Party Politics

In All Out War Effort Platform

Here is the text of probably the shortest platform in the history of the Republican Party of Maine, adopted at the closing session of the State Convention Thursday afternoon.

“The Republicans of Maine assembled in convention, which is a vital part of the American form of government for which our Nation is now fighting, adopt the following statement of principles:

“The paramount duty of every American citizen is to take his full part in bringing about a decisive and complete military victory. In attaining this result, party politics as such have no place.

“The Republican Party of Maine pledges its wholehearted support to the President in a vigorous and efficient prosecution of the war.

“We urge upon the Congress that proper measures are to be taken so far as consistent with an ultimate and speedy victory, to reduce to a minimum expenditures for nonwar purposes and to eliminate at once all nonessential Government activities, to ensure a just and fair distribution of the burdens of war, to make certain that no one unduly profits from the war, to impose rigid restraints on inflation and to assure preservation of the Constitutional guaranties vouchsafed in the Bill of Rights.

“We commend the sound, economical and responsive administration of our State’s business under the leadership of Governor Sewall.

“We heartily indorse the action of Governor Sewall and the Legislature in their prompt building up of military and civilian defense, in the enactment of liberal legislation, in keeping expenditures entirely within appropriations and in keeping substantial economies without curtailment of essential services.

“We pledge continued efforts by a Republican government and Legislature toward further progressive legislation and further economies wherever possible without crippling essential services by the State, and toward increased efficiency in the operation of all State departments.

“We advocate a whole-souled continuance by our citizens of that heritage of faith, fortitude and simplicity of life which has made this State outstanding in the councils of the Nation.”

Source: Portland Press Herald, April 8, 1942. (Errors in the text may have been made by the newspaper and not the Republican Party.)

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