Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-03-03
TBE NoNpAYELEC7voNs

N
The municipal elections of Monday ex-
hibit about the average result. The re-
publicans gain the Mayor in Lewiston and
lose the Mayor In Portland. In both cities
the republicans have a majority of the al
dermen aud common councilmen, and so
have control OF the city governments. Last
year the democrats carried Lewiston by
147 majority, while this year the repubh-
can candidate for Mayor is elected by 56S
majority. One year of democratic May
or has been sufficient. The majority Of
Richardson over Wescott for Mayor Of
Portland is 440, but the democratic major
ity on the vote for aldermen is but 220.
We stated few days ago that the demo-
Gratis were making desperate efforts to
carry as many of the municipal elections
as possible, and that large fund had been
raised for use in Portland. This aided to
defeat the republicans. There were also
local and personal matters that divided
and weakened them. The Press Of yes
terday says:
The result is of no possible Importance
in a general party sense, as the contest
turned almost exclusively on local issues.
The thorough organization of the rum
selling interest and their lavish expendi-
ture Of money and labor were not met by
a corresponding effort on the part of the
law-abiding people-hence the signal tri-
umph of this interest The large MAORI
Ties Of Wards 2 and 4, which are chiefly
inhabited by our naturalzed fellow citi-
zens could not be overcome by the repub-
lican ma;orities in Wards 8. 5, 6 and Z; so
the democrats have majority in the city
at large, while the republicans carry five
out Of the seven wards. The result is
notable warning to the better classes in
the community that they cannot safely
neglect their duties, and demonstrates
anew that eternal vigilance is the price OF
good government.
By further consulting the vote, it will
be seen that the democratic majority is
not SO large as it appears by the vote for
Mayor The aggregate republican vote
for Aldermen is 2l50, and the democratic
1888, with IS scattering, which shows the
democratic majority to be 220. This is
undoubtedly the best test of the party vote
in the city.
Had the republicans made any organi-
"a ion or taken any systematic efforts to
yet out their vote, had they given the time
10 securing the election of the ticket which
they have to working up the nomination
of favorites and in puerile chickering's, the
result would have been different. The
lesson Of yesterday If needed will be a
timely and useful one. Past mistakes can
now be retrieved; but to do this petty
jealousies and contentious must cease and
early steps be taken to secure thorough
organization. There is nothing disheart.
ening in the results of yesterday.
In the September election Portland will
give her usual republican majority. In
other cities where elections were held
there are no noteworthy changes. Rock
land republicans are divided by the tenn
perance question, and no election of May
or has yet been effected, but the demo
cratic vote shows no gain. We trust the
republicans in that city will find way to
unite their strength effectively and main
tain the control to which their numbers
entitle them.
One thing is rendered certain by the
elections so far held, that is, that the DEM
ocrats are wide-awake, organized, and are
putting all the strength into the municipal
elections which they can command.
1t therefore becomes the republicans OF
towns and cities which have not yet held
their elections to be up and doing, har-
monte their differences, canvass thor
oughly, make strong nominations, and
bring out full vote to the polls. We urge
republicans to lay aside their local, per-
sonal. and other minor divisions. and unite
for the success ofthe republican cause. Let
every republican not only We ready to
vote himself but to assist doubtful voters
in casting their ballots for the republican
candidates.