The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1872-06-20


We publish the following communication
on the congressional situation in this district
from a respectable and responsible source
and shall open our columns to communica-
tions from similar sources which shall confine
themselves to advocating the claims of any
individual without attack upon any other
candidate The question is of great conse-
quence to the people of the district and while
we do not feel called upon to advocate any
candidate prior to the convention we are
of others within reasonable limits. OF course
we do not necessarily approve the sentiments
of any such communication:
To the Editor Of the Press:
One great topic seems to compass, and full
ly occupy the public mind of the people of
the first congressional district of Maine. And
SO much the more does the interest in this
subject increase as the day approaches for the
selection of some gentleman to represent the
people in the next congress.
Now it appears to the mind of the observer
that the course the people are pursuing is
eminently right and proper.
1t has been suggested oftentimeS, and
made the occasion of censorious remarks that
the American people are too willing to trust
the duties of office making to other hands. In
too many cases this is known to be true. To
one unacquainted with the disposition of the
voters of York and Cumberland counties, the
present time would seem to illustrate this DO
sition. If however, one will take the trouble
to travel through the district and converse
with the people in all the gradations of socie-
ty, he will at once come to the conclusion
lanff i
have candidate who shall if elected, repre-
sent them. They believe too in having a
business man, that is a man, who in his own
business transactions shall be capable of asso-
cating himself with other men of like charac-
ter, and, while representing his own conStitu-
ency, shall not be unmindful that a great
country demands his time and best service.
Never perhaps in the history of this country
did the times SO imperatively call for honest,
earnest, liberal business men in the councils
of the nation as do the present. Because an
individual endeavoring to obtain a nominal
ton for an office, puts forth as a claim, that
he can manipulate town or ward caucus,
or indicate to his superior in Washington
whose head should fall under the political
guillotine it does not conclusively prove that
he is a fit person for the office in question,
whether it be for member of Congress or any
other position. The first district of Maine
may well congratulate itself upon its stand
ing in comparison with the other Congress
sional districts in the State and nation.
For the past few years they have
had for representative an honest.
energetic, industrious business man. That the
district and state may suffer no evil by the
change, hepeople are earnestly looking about
them to see who among the number named
will make worthy successor. BY an i'm
piled courtesy it is understood that York
shall indicate who the candidate shall be, to be
supported by the district for election to the
next Congress. While there may be various
names mentioned, the people are unit upon
this one point, that they desire an honest,
faithful, successful business man for a candi-
date. They want no demagogue or trckster.
There seems to be one name mentioned very
prominently just now by the people of not
only York county, but also Cumberland.
That man is Hon. John II. Burleigh of South
Berwick. Possessing fair share of wealth,
honest and energetic, of fine business char
acter, and an unblemished reputation, both
public and private, and understanding the
wants and needs of the people of his district
as well as any man that can possibly be men
toned, it cannot fail of appearing to the I'M
prejudiced mind, that the people are not
far out of the way in presenting his name
for the position in question. Ii ever our
country is again to assume the proud posi-
ton it once occupied, it must select
for its legislators and law makers men
who have the confidence of the commu-
mites in which they live, and that the people
know to be honest and faithful citizens. As
rule we can with safety commit our inter-
ests to those men who commencing life at the
lower rounds of the social ladder, have by an
honest, industrious and sagacious course of
procedure risen to eminence and distinction
solely by their own merit. Such men are
safe counsellors eyerywhere-in private or
public, and will if elected to the national leg
islature reflect credit upon their constituents,
and honor upon their State. The masses of
this district look forward with confidence to
the Goth of June, and believe the decision
then made will be in accord with the senti-
ments here indicated. CITIZEN.
June 10, 1872.