Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1868-08-14
The Congressional Convention

We had so many calls last week, and
were so much ensrossed in the Conve,-
tons held here, that we had no time 20 at
tend to our paper or even to the report of
the proceedings of the Congressional Con-
vention. The proof was not shown us,
until the form was locked up. and we see
many errors, and some serious omissions in
the report. We neglected to record the
fact that Hon. Ebenezer Knowlton of Wal
do County was nominated by acclamaton
for Elector from this district, a nomination
every way fit to be male. ...,
The resolution offered by NJ. Milliken
of Cherrifield, for an obvious purpose, wa.
so badly punctured by Messrs. Whidden Of
Calais, Woodman of Bucksport. and Bearcr
of Medly bemps, that it never moved ar
inch from the table to which it was con-
signed. before the report of the committee
on Credentials was made. This mater OF
determining rules for Caucuses of towns
after the Caucuses are held in the usual
way and the delegates have assembled in
Convention, is all arbitrary proceeding.
ties came to the Convention full of hope
and confidence in the nomination of Hon.
VIM. McGilyery of Scarsport for Congress.
more enthusiastic set of delegates we
have never met. They were in earnest and
full of work for their man; and it was diff
ticult in the III: dss OF SO much enthusiasm OF
portion OF the delegation, for one not
having the figures accurately footed to I'M
uerstand before the vote. what would be
the result sand still the race between the
candidates left II margin wide enough to lie
counted on as safe for a nomination and
Therefore the result was not entirely uiex-
peored. Mr.. Pike had never announced
| himself candidate, and the contest for
| delegates ia some loo liiies was not so
much to test the strength OF certain candi-
dates for Congress as TO test the strength
Ut the IDEAL men who were prominent !
the politics of those localities. Nothing was
done in this county by Mr.. Pike friend, 70
secure to him the county, and not great
deal By Mr.. Hale. The thing was allowed
to run itself, there being but little feel
lag in the matter except In Ellsworth.
Outside Of this town. let who would be the
nominee. the vote would be square Tor the
man the Convention put in nomination.
While the committee Oh credentials was
out. and there seemed to be nothing in the
way of business 20 b. tran .actcd, Mr.. Pike
was invited TO address lie Convention. lie
crnie forward promptly and mtde Y speech
which was usiasllcoily receiv d. There
Was no more doubt but what Il decided
majority favortd his denomination, tnau
there is that the Convention was in session,
but still he did the wisc.t thing for himself
and the party ut this juncture, that could
be done. by declining Il denomination.
After his speech there were delegates from
ill sections who came to the Convention
prejudced against him, who said they
would hereafter do anything to promote
him to PAGES of trust and influence. As
remarked last week. Mr.. Pike was ne-er
so strong in this district as to day. He
said he presented she strange anomaly OF
| ii person retiring from politics without any
animosities or strong desire to continue In
Off e. Most Of the delegates preie.in
Mr.. Pike voted for Mr.. Hale. Perhaps half
dozen OF such voted tor Mr.. McGnvery.
Mr.. McGil.very is popular man. widely
known az i. successful sliIp-master aud ship
builder. No che has any political resent
ment against him, and his hiyh-ton chat
ac,er aud business successes gave to him
much streilsti:. Most of his friends DO &c
their Disappointment well. Mr.. Rast ali
earnest supp iter moved that the
lmors.