The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1874-10-27

the other four being overwhelmingly Demo-
cratic. In the seventh Col Spencer is the Re-
puDican and Smith Ely Jr, the Democratic
nominee The former is at the head of reg
iment the soldiers composing which nearly all
reside in the district, and ais local fame as
leading criminal lawyer is expected 10 helm his
canvass. Mr. Ely, however, is thoroughly ac-
qualnted In the district, is deservedly popular,
mas mad much experience in public life and is
gentleman of high character and liberal ed.
ucation, and it will be hard work for apy man
to beat him. The Democrats have certainly
done themselves credit by nominating him.
and also in naming Mr.. Abram S. Hewitt In
the Xth.
In the With the present Republican member
Mr.. John ID. Lawson is presented for re-elec-
ton. Col. Conkling, ''ib-pub' was pitted
against him by Tammany bnt declined the en-
counter. 1t is likely that some disciple of that
little band will accept the glove, but Mr. Law
sons reelection is highly probable, no matter
who disputes his return. He has strong claims
to generous support.
The AIth district comprises the heart of the
city from 26th street to Harlem river, bounded
by ID avenue on the east and 7th avenue ON
the west, stretching over to Sth ayenue from
10th street westerly and to the East river aboys
seth street easterly. 1t contains a large popu-
lation and has at least $4,000 voters, though il
IS customary for twenty per cent or so of them
10 abstain from registering and voting, and a
large proportion OF this non voting class are
Republicans. The Tammany chiefs have ac-
corded the nomination for this seat to their
Liberal allies, and they hive named Col.
Benjamin A. Willis, who was an active mem-
Der OF the Greeley faction of the Republican
party, and deserted with bis leader after the
memorable Syracuse convention of 1871. The
Republicans have selected Mr. Isaac HI. Bailey
as their nominee. Up to yesterday they had
some hopes of carrying the district, but that
ihueiatiSobie- -watchman upon tho tawor Of
freedom, the New York Tribune, with charac-
teristic fearlessness and independence has re-
vealed the damaging fact that Mr.. Bailey il
the especial friend and confidant of Gen. Bepi
f. Butler OF Mass, and that his appearance in
the field is the result of the Machayelian poliev
OF that artful political wire puller This op-
perfume discovery may have the effect of res
culng this opulent district from becoming
mere satrapy of the Essex sta stesman whose
very name is sufficiently odious hereabouts to
weigh down any man who is suspected of being
under such malign influence. Being myself
a resident of the district, am free to say that
although my sympathies are with the Repub-
lican party that shah decline to support any
candidate who is tainted with Butlerism. In
dependently of Gen. Buffers peculiar views
about the mode of conducting political war
fare his financial heresies are so glaring that
he has no claim to leadership in a party which
is committed by its whole record to uncompro-
missing hostility to initiation and irredeemabili-
ty. 1t would be pity to lose member, but a
greater pity still to send one who would be
found voting with the Democrats of Ohio and
Indiana in favor of practical repudiation. 1t
is strange that our leaders are so blind, not
merely to the public welfare, but to the inter-
ess OF the party, as to bestow nominations of
such Importance upon men who do not reflect
the sentiments of the community in respect TO
the gravest question which is to engross the at
tention of the 44th Congress
A feeble effort has been made 10 release Mr..
Bailey of the discredit of intimate relations
with Gen. Butler. Mr.. Schultz, an estimable
gentleman, has come to his rescue in card,
wherein he states implicitly that the charge is
utterly preposterous. But Mr.. Schultz is
known to be personal friend of the inculpated
nominee, and his defense of him must there
fore be received with the allowances due TO
the generous advocacy of the cause of an in
innate associate. The established reputation
OF "he great American newspaper for fair
ness, candor and impartialty, warrants the
expectation that it will maintain its allega-
tons, and produce evidences which will 60 to
show that there has for long time existed
close alliance between Gen. Butler and Mr.
Bailey, and that one of its objects has been the
capture by intrigue of the representative of the
wealthiest constituency in the United States.
IL The scheme should be batfied, the world at
large will incur new debt of gratitude to a
vigilant and intrepid newspaper.
SCRUTAToR.