The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1870-09-23
A Piece Of Political Hts,ery.

"A Piece Of Political Htstsry.
We the undersigned Republican voters Of the
First Congressional District Of Maine Of Maine.
do earnestly protest against the nomination Of
Daniel Z Somes, ESQ.,, a. Q candidate Cor repro
sentative to Coagres. for the reasons herenaf-
ter stated: lrr.r r'I '-.-r
Il 10 conosiei by all that the only candidates
for this position, who were prominently before
the people Of the District, were Messrs. Scam
man and Cowsn, and il Was the universal ex-
pectation that one or the other Of these gentle
men would be selected by the Convention. II
Is known that the leading members Of the Cum
berland delegation on the assembling Of the
Convention. voluntarily protested. in their &C
ton, to Be guided only by the wishes and pref
erences Of the York delegation In the selection
Of candidate, and that they openly pledged
themselves to vote for the man indicated BY
said delegation. .u.r........
There 10 good reason to believe that Mr..
Somes was not the third nor even the fourth
choice Of the people Of any portion Of York, his
not having been even canyassed at any Of the
primary meetings Of the people Of the District
His nomination, there, brought about mainly by
the delegates from Cumberland, we look upon
as violation Of the voluntary pledges made in
convention by the said delegates; and were
there no other reasons for dissatisfaction on our
part, We should feel that to be sufficient.
But we have more weighty and vital reasons
for refusing our adherence TO this nomination
and we win state them plainly, appending to
this protest the proofs which have been elected.
We believe that, ut the moment Mr.. Somcs was
protesting 20 urge the nomination Of Mr.. Cowan.
and consulting coufdentially with him and his
friends as TO the best means Of securing his sue
cess, be was making use OF the knowledge he
thus gained from these sources to ensure his own
nomination. .-.-..... ..... .
We charge that while plotting for this nomi-
nation Mr.. Somes allowed himself 10 be chosen
as pledged Delegate to support the nomination
Of Mr.. Cowan.
We charge that Mr.. Somes in secret conclaye
with certain prominent members Of the party
belonging to Cumberland. in Boston, several
days previous to the convention, arranged for
his own nomination, and declared to his friends,
prior 10 the assembling Of that body, that his
success was made certain.
We charge that Mr.. Somes, after the third
ballot, in which he received p votes gave the
friends Of Mr.. Cowan TO understand that when
the voice had become little more concentrated
upon him, he would withdraw and advise his
friends 20 vote for Mr.. Cowan, We charge
further that when il began 10 be clearly dem-
onstrated in the convention that the plot, con-
cocted in Boston and Portland, was likely, from
the increase Of ballots in his favor, TO be carried
10 successful result, he, Somes, left the hall,
taking with him the vote which was pledged to
Louis o. Cowan.
We charge that when respectable member
Of the Delegates and many prominent numbers
Of the Republican party. subsequent to the Con-
yention met in Cslef Hall, to give MIR. Somes
an opportunity to defend himself against the
imputations Of treachery 10 his friends and to
clear his skirts Of Machiavelism In procuring
his own nomination, he failed to appear, thus
exhibiting marked lack Of courtesy towards
the Republicans Of the District and denying
hen TIE right 10 erifieise the character Of
Aeir candidate.
We charge that Mr.. Somes refused to allow
persons whose lips are con6dentially scaled to
the truth Of rome Of the principal allegations
here made, thus virtually admitting their cor
rectness
In fine, we protest against the nomination and
candidacy Of Mr.. Somes becsuse we abhor po-
litical bargaining. trickery and chicanery. and
believe such means which are becoming too
common in all parties, to secure the political i'd
yancement Of any man, or set Of men, to be IN
the highest degree detrimental, not only to the
interests Of the Republican party, but which is
Of much greater Importance injurious to the
material interests OF the whole people as well as
10 their character as men and freeman.
In thus protesting against the candidacy OF
Mr.. Somes, we disclaim any wish 10 substitute
for him either Mr.. Cowan or Mr.. Seaman, feel
ing that under the present circumstances new
man might. perhaps, better unite the votes Of
this Congressionsl District
We feel. In view Of the facts here presented,
and Of others that will probably be brought
forward, showing the bad faith and incompe-
tency Of Mr.. Somes for the position to which he
has been nominated, that his defeat % made GER
tain. and we therefore hope that his friends.
consulting the interests Of the Republican party
will induce him to withdraw and give place 70
. man more likely to lutte the Republican votes
Of this Congressional District. .'...
We introduce the above as remem-
brancer Of the days gone by. In 1853
Cumberland having had the Representa-.
tive for two terms came out here without
n candidate located in her precincts, but
with candidate of her own selected for
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