New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-05-16
MAINE.
TIE SENATORIAL CONTEST AND TIE POLITICAL
SITUATION.

MAINE.
TIE SENATORIAL CONTEST AND THE POLITICAL
SITUATION.
AUGUSTA, Me, May 1.-THE Withdrawal of
Speaker Blaine from the Senatorial contest has sinp
fed political matters in this State wonderfully. and
noticeable change Of front with reference TO other and
collateral questions has ensued Somehow or other the
Senatorial question had got strangely mixed with the
GubernaOal question, and for that matter, with local
politics generally, that for a long time all future
nominations for county and State Offices were canvassed
with reference their bearing upon the question to be
decided by the Legislature next Winter. 1t cannot be
denied that the candidacy of Mr. Blaine had become
disturbing element in the steadygoDg politics OF Maine
When Mr.. Blaine first put into the field the late
Senator Fessenden alive and had that gentleman
lived it would have been found that Mr. Blaine (or his
friends for HIM had put the vaTpaint none too soon
and that what now lin OF the death Of Mr. Fessen
appears 20 have been premature and unwse move
was really dictated by every consideration Of prudence
The truth is, that owing 10 the disappointment Of
large number OF the Republican party at Mr. Fessendens
vote upon impeachment and the hostility lis course had
voked the discussion of the question who should sue
coed him in the United States Senate precpitated
upon the Republicans OF Maine full year earlier than
would otherwise have been the case. The opposition to
him in the Spring and early Summer Of 1869 was quite
formidable and unusually demonsratve, and only lacked
leader to perfect powerful organization. TWAS found
necessary TO have 20 vote for well as man to
vote against and consequently several gentlemen were
prominently mentioned in that connection. Among
them were ex-senator tnOw SENATOR NORTH, ex-GoV
Vashburne, Representative Lynch, Gov. Chamberlain,
and Speaker Blaine Mr.. Morrill, was Mr.. Fessendens
colleague at the time Of the impeachment trial, and
favored Impeachment. Mr.. Lynch had made himself
honorably couspcuouz in the House OF Representatives
a. all advocate Of the measure, and was very popular
not only his district but throughout the state
Rx-Gov Wasbburne an ardent iInpeacher, and one
Of the strong OF the State and all, Including Gov
Chamberlain, were warm personal friends Of
Mr.. Fessenden, l presume that SPEAKER Bh a,
II soon to ne understood however that meSsrs
Morrill, Lynch, WashbuTne, and Chamberlain would IN
no event he candidates against him The hrst three
had ditcren WIN I hi Sis We and apireeiaed the
sublime selfabne CATION which he had exhibited linen
around MIR Blaine. whether his position self
chosen or not, Is OF no consequence lie was IN the
have been candidate to-day AS long as last sum
uer IN those county conventions where state senators
and MIR Blaine Was clearly presented and settled as tue
friends Of the the other predonlnaed Couo me
event Of Mr. Fes-endeus death have been 1Oreseen IL
would have folly for any asirant to enter the Lists
soon; but, as that event wa no d Mr. ~ the
III for notwithstanding the alienation Of large
number Of Republicans, Mr.. Fessenden was powerful
ouuetitor and had elements Of strength possessed by
10 other man in the state. Few Of his Lifelong friends
his supporters many OF TIE pRfe sssrd a bi%st
considering that certain sense ne was on una t
fore his constituents, Wa gathering w NJ ~ lt -
ge 10 the end that the verdict might be the result o.
neither ignorance caprice or chance Dut the
judgment OF the Republicans OF Name aitef tLe La,
cooled the arOr Of resentment ana caeG the Coi
passions OF the hour His death changed the tnIrt a.
poet Of Senatorial affairs and left MI Blaine Inc Ncn
~ circumstance over which he had no control -,
Prom the foregoing 10 viii be readily perceived tnaI me
Inauguration OF Mr.. Blanes candldac! "i's Iot ~ d
form" He probably dld moi SEEK t!e Posl.luI 80,
probably thonght dangerous not 10 assist so many
friends anxiousy seeking candidate Hence LIE T
Gould he have df1fted 0at az I1e Lle " ~ s ht
den- death. he would undoubtedly nave uohe So Gu.
that found 70 be not gIe 50 cas- Su, and tried
virtue Of necessity he mas ielt hls way avn rossno
the Ice" The fact that from The time az senator fese
rightly understood, reflects ID no "lse upon ~ @1 a.
taccian and f. indication OF Ms sueAEtn, Ia "a
senator MOrrlu was appointed 20 M 'no &c
Tor he fnI term He lived in the same city win Mr'
balhe and would nav "a - f,r botb Ia IL gin
WITH. Nj Washburne, the little giant OF that ~
dre9 rfII, y1Sn the former friends OF Mr. b. The
friends Of GOV Thanberlain were found u he anything
but idle spectators, aud, while not auihontauYey en-
tarng Inn Tor tIe race they kept "pegging away al
the Speaker and waiting for some - tI i ~
oIerated greatly 70 his disadvantage, mas
much a. many who would other"l't nav "a, III -
friends of competing candidates Thought u Eieat NY
that Maine should lose the DOu1I Oh AaSinH renrn
ofce In the Government, and gain nothing IN return
Meantime the question Of the Governor 81 y ~
and found that friends Of Cen IT'S, va piV
posed friendly Ia Mr. Elaine ftleN5 be o
Perham declared Themselves for Gen. LIE n, Rlsine
Minor political questions and nOnhha OAs "ei.
IN the way, and general mudule VIZ and
Old friends rapidly gertDg az IOsgsII1 , % r,
the newspapers nring away VIII & ~ y,
city The contest was rapidly .esds and
points" Even Mr. Hainln's "O.d Guard ~eic 10. .oi
once divc1d anon themselves. Just then, ans III lh'
ucE OF time M blaine writes his frst loiter upon me
subject, and withdraw entirely RON tne Gun, a. -
was unfortunate ia belhg uIi' - a. me- ~ yrtory
about even, hs chose the tine ana Ih.nSI 81 "
ing with The utmost sagacty and friends ahd iOss akt
IN ~lt laIl