New-York tribune., 1872-09-03
THE THIRD DISTRICT.

FORTIFIED CONGRESSMAN - INFLUENCE OF
MONEY IN ELECTIoNs-HOW ENTHUSIASM Is
MANUFACTURED-THE FORT SMITH RAILROAD
SWINDLE-POLITICAL PROSPECTS.
IFROM SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIDUNs.l
AUGUSTA, Aug. 80 - 1t is a current saying
among the people here that Speaker Blaine owns this
Congress District He has certainly been elected from
il great many times and his long usage OF the entire
monopoly of its Federal patronage has given him great
deal of power In this county-Kennebec-is situated
the United States Arsenal and the large reservation ana
consequent patronage of the Government. And these
and all the agencies of the central power at Washington
are practically in the hands Of Mr. Blaine. II is not an
easy task therefore, to dislodge such man from bis
comfortable and fortified place in which he has grown
fat and rich. His influence rames into every hamlet
andfauy the district, and by using the machinery
of the Government he control very large voting
element both in and out of his immediate county
Added this, he is the Chairman OF the Grant Ceh"
Committee and has influential voice in determining the
disposition Of speakers funds, and all the appurehance
of an active political campaign Whatever becomes OF
other Congress Districts you may be sure that Tire lld
is never neglected The meeting which was TO have been
held here to-day is good illustration OF this style OF
management. a great and imposing demonstration
must be held somewhere, and where was suitable a
place Augusta the capital Of the State and the seat
Of The Man with National Reputation, as he styles
conspred against the GRANTEES; storm made the pro-
jected daylight meeting and evening torchlght
procession impossible, and the $4,000 which had been
spent on the affair was than wasted the failure
the demonstration has left still uncertain whether
such a display that which promised could really
be made here. Money used liberaly in this district
and our friends may as well understand that there is
plenty OF it for the benefit Of Grantism. Not only do
the Grant men hire torchbearers and free excursion
trains and give away flags, condition that those who
receive them shall hang them out TO order, but they
have raised the market price Of purchasable votes 1t
is said that in this county the ruling rate is $780,
quoted by the Grant buyers.
But Notwithstanding this free use Of money and gov
ernmental influence Blame having very hard time
Of it, Personally he is not at all popular and his enor
nous concet has made him many enemies in his own
party His OveTbearing manners and irascble temper
go far to counterbaance the value OF his more material
resources. People here say that he "ges mad when
ever he attempts TO speak in public. He was probably
mad when he said at Ellsworth, few weeks ago, that
those who rallied against Grant for his gttaug ought
TO be tarred and eathered Mr. Blaine has denied this
utterance but it has been so concusvey proved that
he did say that his denial has effect whatever here
where his passionate temper and economy of the truth
are well known. Last night again. being much rritated
at the appearance OF carcature OF himself escaping
through the window from Gen. Butler which had just
then appeared in evening paper here The Liberal Re
pu6HcdH, ne called hdfd names in speech which lac
made in response 10 serenade. He had something
TO say about his opponents being backguards and
rufans, which not allowed to appear next day in
print. serious matter is the connection Mr..
Blaine with the Little Rock and Fort Smith Railroad
swindle. THE TRIBUNE lately called attention TO this
road which had been left incomplete in the woods Of
Arkansas because somebody had stolen the money that
was to have built it, Four five kinds Of bonds were
Issued by the company, and Mr.. Blaine, it Is said
peddled out good many Of them in this vicinity and
at Belfast They proved TO be worthless, nearly so,
and In some instances at least Mr. Blaine obliged
10 refund the money any rate this is the version OF
the affair which is explicitly given here, and now that
attention is again called TO this swndle, people viii
naturally ask why and how the Speaker became mixed
up in it.
This Congress District is made up OF the counties of
Kennebec Lincoln Somerset and part of Knox Blaine
bad majority OF 1890 In 1870 but in 1s6s the Presi
dental year, when larger vote polled he had
about $500 majority. That part Of Knox County which
il in this district usually gives about 800 Democratic
majority ana Somerset and Lincoln generally but not
always give small Democratic maores. This year the
full Democratic vote and large reinforcement OF Lib
eral Republicans will be given to Thos. s. Lang the
Liberal candidate, Of irreproachable character
ability and worth, and Of Republican antecedents
But Kennebec the other remaining county in the dis
trict is the stronghold Of Grantism, and, above
shown is closely manipulated by Blaine In 1868 he had
8 28 majority IN thIs County hOne DelnR almost as uch
az that OF the whole district In 1870 he had 9O but
this year. If all signs hold good. he will come into
Kennebec County with majority of at least 1000 against
him 10 overcome. This estimate Is careful and trust
worthy one and shows how hardly Mr. Blaine is pressed
and how close the contest Just what reduction will
he made Of his oldtime majority in this county, and
how potential does not appear as yet But it is evident
that vigorous work in the right direction could carry this
district against the Speaker, and thus victory
vbcb under the circumstances, would be second in im-
oortance only TO the defeat OF Perham for Governor
But few days remain before election ana we shall see
this close and important contest is to be decided In
ayor of Liberalism Grantsm.
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