Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1874-06-23
The Senatorship.

A Boslsn paper says that our Maine
journals are discussing the Senatorial
question, "but not in such way as 10
convey much information to outsiders.
Were this charge true, it would be no
great matter, bu, the serious feature OF
the case is that most of tho political pa
pers are either ignoring the question
altogether or discussing il in such n way
as to convey no information whatever to
insiders, il we may be allowed such an
antitheSis. For instance, leading re-
publican paper, in the course oil long
article on Maine politics, dismisses the
Senatorial question with the remark that
il will probably take care OF itseli!'
The papers that are secretly in the
interest Of MI. IIamlin throw no light on
the subject because they appear to be
extremely anxious that it shall receive no
general public attention till alter all the
County Conventions and caucuses for
the nomination OF Representatives to the
Legislature have been held. They seem
to rely wholly upon the personal appeals
and private solicitations of federal Office
holders and other Interested parties Tor
their success in these primary meetings.
They fear that the awakening OF public
interest and gene,al attention would be
simply fatal to the project of reclectins
Nj. Hamlin. Accordingly they say TO the
public. Keep quiet-the Senatorial elec.
ton will take caro- of Itself Al the
same time Mr.. Hamlin's friends and de.
pendent, have been for months taking the
very bes. care OF it that experienced
nurses could give in every town in the
State. They only want to keep things
quiet few weeks longer, until the thing
is done, and then they will discuss matters
with you az much IS you desire. Alter
the carefully selected conventions and
caucuses have performed the work as
signed them. and Mr. Hamlin's men are
all returned TO the Legislature, then they
will be ready to discuss this most impor-
tant question. There appears TO be
concerted plan, TO which Mr. lIaulins
organs have given their assent, to ignore
the single interesting and important
phase OF Maine politics for the year 1874
until policsl manipulation and discreet
use Of the appointing power have otter
mined question which ought TO be
settled only by free and full expression
Of the will Of the people.
Those who depend for their informa-
lion upon The daily papers Of Maine. with
a few exceptions, do not even know that
there are other candidates Tor the Senator.
ship besides Mr. Hamlin. But there arc
several gentlemen OF unquestioned ability
and uninpeachable integrity whose
friends are warmly urging them for that
position. The most prominent of these
candidates is oX.Gov. Perham. who. with
ont either the power or the inclination 10
buy success with offices or the promise
Of ihem-wilhoat the employment OF
any of the questionable means that have
of late brought discrcdit in many case,
upon Senatorial aSpirants-has attained
degree of genuine popular strength
that seriously menaces Mr.. Hamlin's ten.
ure OF power. In all parts OF the State
Mr.. Perham has many enthusiastic sup.
porIers whom the absolute purity of his
private character. hi. uEswerving recti.
tude in public lite and tue ability he has
displayed in every position he has been
called TO fill. have impressed with lively
sense Of his peculiar fitness Tor seat in
the United States Senate.
1t wosld not become US rs friends OF
Mr.. Perham to depreciaic his principal
antagonist. We feel that he is strong
enough to rest his case On his own merits.
IL