The Portland daily press., 1872-05-14
THE PRESS.
TUESDAY MORNING, MAY z, '72.
Our Duty In Maine.

good sense, to be one of those States where
Cincinnati Conventions. "Labor Reform"
movements and temperance movements draw
off from the two great parties but very
small proportion of their members. 1t does
not lack citizens who are deeply interested IN
the labor question, who are more in earnest
than anybody else in the temperance aqua
ton, and who are not Indifferent 10 any
phase of reform. But they have the lnteiii-
gence to perceive that they secure inlhedia'e
practical results only by acting with tnat
great national party which had its origin in
the humane and progressive impulses OF the
majority of the American people, and whose
whole history is the record of achievements
in the interest of human liberty and happi-
ness. The wisdom in this course has more
than once been abundantly indicated, but
never more strikingy than in the case OF the
temperance reformers, who, by acting through
the Republican organization, have now made
prohibition substantial reality that is rapid
ly commencing itself to all reasonable and
disinterested men. If the Labor Reformers''
of the nation had the sagacity 20 take the
party, as they easily could, to make universal
education one of its leading purposes, they,
too, would soon have something more salts
factory in the shape of results to show these
sales of their votes and influence to Tom,
Dick and Harry by their unprincipled leaders.
But our purpose in this article is to couple
% with our congratulations on the prospect that
10 in, OF mol
Republicans for their own ticket, Grant and
Colfax, and the Democrats for theirs, possibly
Greeley and Brown-an earnest exhortation
to Republican voters to make Names in
fuence go as far as possible in strengthening
the hands Of our friends in other States,
where we are likely to lose some votes which
will be thrown for Horace Greeley. In the
majority for the State ticket on the 9th of
September, and thus show that if we have
lost here and there a man who has gone after
(. the Old White Coat, under the impression
that it is the true standard of reform, we
have gained two who prefer to risk the gov
eminent in the steady hands of the man who
subdued the Rebellion, rather than in the
unsteady, wavering hands of the man who
on two different occasions would have given
up the ship, rather than risk anything in
defending it. The election of our candidate
is assured, but every thousand votes added to
his majority are as good as five thousand
added to the Republican vote in other States,
like Ohio and Pennsylvania, which hold their
elections afterwards.
Another still more important matter needs
attention now. 1t is extremely impor-
tant, that the present Republican preponder-
ance in the House of Representatives should
be maintained Maine must not be the first
State to disclose signs of weakness in this vi
tai point. Nothing but the most needless
and reckless discussions can prevent our re-
turning five Republicans to the House as we
have uniformly done since the term of Hon.
l.. ID. M. Sweat expired in 1854. All danger |
of such discussions ought to be removed be- |
fore the nominating conventions meet. A |
public quarrel in the conventions could have |
only the most disastrous effect. In three of |
the districts-the second, third and fourth |
there is no chance for dscord. We are glad |
to learn that there isevery probability of COM
plete harmony and entire unanimity in the |
fifth district. 1t is only the large number of |
candidates, and not any known predisposi- |
ton to strife, that makes the situation at all |
critical in the first district. As the time |
draws near and the crisis becomes imminent |
care will be necessary to avoid undue excite |
ment and the springing up Of dangerous an |
tagonisms Not a shadow of such danger |
now appears, and we only call attention to
the situation in order that pains may be Ia
O ken to preserve the present gratifying condi- |
ton of peace and harmony
THE City Government has not made a de- |
eision in the matter of the petition for COM
mission to examine the routes and plans of |
the Portland and Ogdensburg Railroads.&c. |
Aldermen voting against and the Common
Council in favor of granting the prayer of |
the petitioners. We append the petition |
which was considered last night. The num-
Der and character of the petitioners demand |
respectful attention from our City Fathers |
and the great interests involved certainly |
seem to justify the action desired.
[PETITIoN.l /
Whereas proposition is before the people of Port
land to give credit to the bonds of the Portland &
Ogdensburg Railroad to the amount of 1880 600;
and whereas, the city has an interest to the amount
Of a7140OO in said road and whereas doubts are en-
tertaned as to the feasibility of the through the
mountains, and especially TO whether the amount
named will complete the road Your petitioners be-
eve that definite information should be obtained be-
fore acting In matter Of much importance in its
relations to the liability Of the city the side
and the benefits to accrue the otherj and they
thereforo aek you to appoint II commission who shall
obtain reliable information as to the feasibility and
cost of the road its railroad connections and its gem
eral advantages for business with authority to en-
ploy competent engineer and such other aid as may
be required to accomplish the purposes Of this nves-
legation, and report the same as early practical
BILE. |