The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1869-03-05
Portland city EieetIo~.

On Montlay Vim. L. Putnum, esq, Democrat,
was elected Mayor and a majority Of the alder
men were secured by the sane party. knowing
the two elements among our own folks, adverse
10 our success, we were prepared four weeks ago
,,r the prcsent result; but men outside who
think anything about the suhject, viii wonder
that a municipality which four months ago gave
the Republicans 1867 majority, should now give
l3g against them, and well they may. The
LIQUOR question is doubtless bequeathed to us for
some useful purpose. though what the useful
puryose il, il would be difficult to state; at any
rate, we have il. A very largo number think
,hs party Is running the thing into the
grUunl" by foolish legislation, and another
number of respectable proportions are satisfied
that the party is too slow, and their everlasting
cry is "On TO Richmond" Enough Of the lat
ter stsyei at home or openly voted for MIR.
Putnum, to cause the present result
But they were aided by another class whose
action may well excite surprise. On the MORN
ing following the election the Daily .idrerfi'er'
the Morrill, organ at Portland during the late
senatorial contest, exultoi over the defeat oil
what I, claims to be its own party, by the fall
ure to elect for Mayor a candidate unanimously
nominated and wholly and entirely unobjection-
able. II claims to give reason for the defeat,
saying:
Here as elsewhere there has been set Of poll
ticians who have undertaken to manage the AZ
fairs Of the Republican party for their private
interest. In their eyes the party has no cause
or right to exist, except for the purpose oil reg
istering at the polls their DEGREES at irresPonsl-
Die private gatherings.
This discloses q very bal state Of affairs, AMI
by the .Adrsriissr's statement we might come
to the conclusion that the party which threw
2096 votes were utterly corrupt, and the 100
boilers with their organ, were the eminently
lust men. But unfortunately for the .adreriis-
or, discretion was not component with its valor,
and its criticism loses its value and "slops over
when il declares the true cause OF the slang
quoted above. Here is the cat under the meal ;
When IL became necessary to Gil vacancy
In our Representative delegation, the City Com
mittec, without heeling the objections OF their
fellow eitirsns, resolved TO make perfectly
sure thing of one more vote for Mr.. Hamlin for
United States Senator, calel together the skele-
ton Of the nominating convention which adj
iourned sine die in September, filed the yacan-
ces with custom house officers, and nominated
MIR. primmond, an old and fast friend Of Mr..
Hamlin's who was elected. The majority Of the
Republicans Of Portland, who were thus slap
pcl in the face, and told IL was none OF their
business who represented Maine in the United
States Senate, were undoubtedly favorable to
Mr.. Morrill,, and believed the offensive action Of
the City Committee was taken in farthcranee
IT an otiice-jObbing operation on a large scale,
ry which their rights and the rights OF the poo
pc Of Maine hal been privately conveyed away
Tor term OF years. But it is one thing to
,,-,ni-e to convey property Of this kind, and
mother 10 deliver il. The majority Of the Cum
h,-laud delegation supported Mr.. Morrill, alter
an. though by Mr.. Drummond's vote and intu-
encp Mr. Hamlin was finally chosen.
IL WAS after this that the managers under
took 10 make Mr.. DrummOnd mayor. Nobody
was deceived by the transparent trick OF dispen-
sins. with the usual convention 10 nominate the
candidate There was announcement OF can
ddttes beforehand. and consequently no con-
cert Of action except among the persons who
ahvl In flct nominated Mr.. Drummond IN ad-
vance. There were no check lists to ensure the
purity Of the election. The whole pretence OF
Lowing the choice IN the people was understood
IA BE- A farce, and the insult is before us. The
nomination % SIR. DrummOnd was in some res
u,.ts "A cool one. Ills character and talents
4. tIy Cntitlc him TO any office in tie gin OF his
fellow citizens; but it's nov plain that his re-
cen, course does not command their appreciation
tI.t he could not have been nominated by their
rhsi,c, AMI that il was u blunder, To say the
least, TO nominate him in defiance OF their
wishes,
The "rins," the "corruptiOnists" and the
''thicves" seem to be such because a very large
majority Of the Republicans Of Portland, ten to
one. were supporters Of Mr.. Hamlin in the late
Senatorial contest :! and the .iirsriiser, pro-
fssinc to be Republican paper, admits that
itself. with the other Morrill, men in the city,
prrierrvd to throw the city into the hands Of
the coppcrhcadls. rather than Mr.. DrummOnd,
Republican always in good standing, and
every way qualified for the position for which he
was almost unanimously nominated by one OF
the faircst caueuscs ever held, should be elected
because he voted for Mr. Hamln for Senator.
We should do injustice to Mr. Morrill, and the
gallant men who fought for him, II We held
them responsible for the action Of few disaP-
pointed and indiscrcet men in Portland, who
have the unhappy faculty Of being far more PO-
tent for evil than powerful for good. Thercsult
Of the Portland election bOastingly brought
about by cheap politicians, shows US how for
tunate the people Of this State are that they
have elected Senator who will not be intu-
encel by the disorganirers who have Sc effectu-
ally shown their hand.
We should have been pleased five could have
sent greeting to cur Republican brethren strug-
Cling to uphold our banner in New Hampshire.
words Of cheer and victory We should have
been proud to have hailed the incoming Admin
istraton Of President Grant with a victory from
the metropolis Of this State which 50 CALAMITY
made his election sure. But our failure to do
20 rests not with the supporters OF Mr.. Hamlin.
They did their whole duty. II disappointed
ambition and dyspcptic stOmachs will persist in
rcopening old settled controversies, 80 be Il.
The Hamlin supporters win fight clear Of 50
suicidal course as long as possible. But they
cannot fight against destiny, and II Il Is prcie-
terminei that the old play Of the bull and the
Locomotive shall be re-enactcd. We suppose