The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1872-07-26
THE CONGRESSIONAL RATTLE.

lak6ns-
THE CONGRESSIONAL RATTLE.
The interest in this section, and in fact
throughout the district. centres on the Congress-
ional fight. The election of Perham and Grant
IS made of secondary Importance. Hon. Eugene
Hale has been renominated by the Republicans
for third term, while the Democrats and few
Liberal Republicans who can be found, are try
ing to secure the nomination of their favOrites at
the Belfast Convention, on the Both inst. First
on the list comes Hon. Fred A. Pike of Calais,
who has deserted the Republican party, and
joined his fortunes with the Democrats, after
at least two years of hesitation, and doubt
whether to take the step or not. Then comes
VIM 81, Mcclellan of Belfast, Samuel D Lea
witt of Eastport, and Gen Frank s. Nickerson
of Searsport, all straight out Democrats Pike
is probably making the best fight for the nomi-
nation, timid as he is in his political contests,
and IL is not unlikely that he win succeed, But
If he meets with no better success than he did
when here short time ago, he will be sent to
Coventry, His reception by the little conclave
of Democrats, he conferred with, was decided
ly cool, and he went home disappoit ted. As
the result of his engineering here through his
right bower, Robegt Burns, veteran and incor-
rigible Democrat, the delegation Of four elected
by caucus this evening to attend the Belfast
Convention, consisted of three who go there to
support Leavitt, and one, Burns himself, for
Pike; Nor can the Leavitt delegates be induced,
il is believed, under any circumstances to go for
Pike, IT teasitt sha9la stand no show of getting
prospect of some of the friends of the other can
didates declining to give their support to Pike,
for various reasons, one of which is that Waldo
County contends that it is entitled to the nOmi-
nation, and must have it whether or no. An
other reason is that Pixies record against the
revival of our shipbuilding interests, is not rel
ished by the Liberal Republicans. Besides, he
is in favor of admitting Canadian lumber free
of duty, being interested largely in New Bruins
wick lands, which is also another objection urg-
ed by the Liberals.
Furthermore prominent and influential
Democrat and business man of this place, who
is one of the delegates to the Belfast Conyen-
tion and one of the fourteen EastpOrt Demo-
Gratis few years ago who voted for Breckn-
ridge for President, affirms squarely, open and
above board, that he will not vote for Pike 81
don't like Greeley" he says, "and shall only
give him passive support But to be obliged
to swallow Pike with Greeley is too almighty o
dose. Why didn't Pike, who was delegate to
the Philadelphia Convention, go there, instead
of being out In Perry hiding behind Chad
bourDe's board pile to get rid Of seeing people,
Do you think would vote for Pike when he
stood on the bank steps in this place during the
war and denounced us here as kissing Copper
heads and thieves and murderers? No, not 1.
The fact is, Pike is policy candidate [ 90 for
man of principle. If I have got to choose
between two Republicans, Hale and Pike,
certainly prefer Hale, who you know, Burns,
has made the best Representative we ever had
from this district" To this Burns replied,
Yes, that's so. But we can beat with Pike -
The other then observed, 81 was born and have
always Lived a Democrat But had rather be
beaten with Democratic candidate than to
sell out to Pike and have him successful And
the remarks OF this gentleman, which were
the presence of Robert Burns, whom he was
addressing. ELECTED the unqualified approval of
two other fellow Democrats, who each declared
that they Endorsed the speakers sentiments 1t
Will be seen by this that in relation to the NOM
nation OF Pike there are two irreconcilable ele-
ments among the old Bourbons of the Demo-
cratic party, and one of the number tells us if
Pike should be nominated he will certainly vote
for Hale and carry his friends with him. Pike,
however, is active at work, his runners securing
the district Ill all directions, and they contend
that he will not only be nominated but will be
elected.
DITAFFECTIoN TOWARD HALE.
We have yet to find one Republican who is
disaffected toward Hale but what admits that
he has done well for his district in helping secure
such Congressional relief to our shipbuilding in
terests as has been Effected district which
embraces nearly one-kalf of the shipbuildng in
dustry in the State. Nor is it disputed that his
Congressional career thus far has been of use
fulness, and that he has reached position of
influence which reflects honor upon his native
State. In the face of such admissions, howey-
Ell, 1t Is surprising to hear that the opposition
to him by malcontent Republicans is on account
of two or three appointments he has secured in
his district, offices for which there were several
claimants for each. The opposition to Pike
dates back to Hale's first nomination, which
Pike threw away on account of getting badly
scared, and for which he has never forgiven
himself or Hale either. After Hale was elect
ed and since then he has been persstently hos
tile to Hale, whom he believes destroyed all his
chances for further promotion in the Republi-
can party. Pike does not seem to be making
much Roadway in getting up a revolt in the Re-
publican party against Hale. Whatever disaf-
lection exists will not jeopardize Hale's chances
of an election. Even some of Pixies hest
friends have turned on him in consequence of
his course His principal worker, Washington
Long, who for nine years was Collector at
Passport, but who is now a resident of Law
renee, Kansas, is FORMULATING this district,
doing his level best for Pike. When we stated
that Long, after the expiration of his commits
sion, wanted another term of office, and was
highly indignant because Hale, at the earnest
request of the great majority of the most infiu-
entail Republicans of the district, would not
have him reapponted, the milk In that cocoa
nut is easily explained. In Lubec there has
been some slight dissatisfaction with Hale, but
Pike is disliked so much that Hale will receive
the united and cordial support of his party in
that town which, in 1870, was lul1ewarm against
him. Moreover, any opposition to him in the
Republican ranks would endanger the ticket
for county officers, and that is plainly evident
l.aAv Il