The Portland daily press., 1875-01-05
From the Biddeford Journal ]
Letter for WaShhurn.

The Senator Question is soon to become the
Maine Question.
Can our Legislature give us man who is
worthy and well qualified to fill this important
with ''rings and ciques" and if opposed by
them, all the better: a man who needs no in
vestigation to prove himself clear of Paper
Credit Frauds" Credit Mobiier, or any of the
corruptions of past. A man who understands
the wants of our state; its agricultural, manu-
featuring and commercial interests; and one
who, knowing his duty well, has the courage
and ability to perform it.
Others may have their favorite candidates.
and among them there are excellent men-but
for myself L am satisfied that do not dispar-
age others when say that Israel Washburn,
Jr, is of all the candidates, the best qualified
for this important pos tion.
The steadfast purpose, unfinching courage,
and uncommon ability with which he main
tanned the cause of freedom in the great con
test in the House of Representatives before the
war, is now part of the history OF that great
struggle.
Fortunately for our state, when the war
came, Israel Washburn, Jr, was our chief
magistrate. and those who know anything of
our state affairs of those times, and the plans
that were laid to rob the state by contracts,
and otherwise, know that in Gov. Washburn
the rings, knaves, and iob-seekers, found
man who was incorruptible. And any one who
examines the accounts at Augusta will find the
accounts of 81 and 62 are without an error,
clear clean, and every way correct. The OPP
posing of these rings brought against him an
opposition that has followed him even to the
present time.
In his address at the dedication of the Cher
ryfield Soldiers Monument on the 4th of July
last, he said:
"Whle the patriotic and true are engaged
with the settlement of great questions, with
vital necessities, with the duties of repair and
restoration, the selfish and false are busy with
their schemes of greed and plumber.
There is cause for alarm. Danger is every.
where. In business, in society, in the noise
less walks of private life, well as on tho
wider theatre of public affairs OF what avail
the suffering and sacrifice of the dreadful years
from which we are so lately come, if these
things are to go on. But they must not 90 on!
The people must call a halt and they aoM Did J.
not believe it L should despair of the country.
Economy retrenchment, reform, response
blity and purity must be the popular watch
word"
His experience in Congress well qualified
him to take front rank amons the leading
huence and power which any new man would
attain to only with years of experience.
His experience as Governor gave him a
knowledge of our state, of its wants and re-
sources as no other position could have done.
His experience as Collector of Customs has
given him an opportunity to become acquaint-
ed with the commercial interests of our state
and with all the Tariffs and Revenue Laws
that may affect them.
His incorruptible integrity his diligence in
studying whatever concerns his duty in any
position; in short, his experience, his ability,
and his assiduous devotion to the best interest
of our state and our country, all point to him
as the man best qualified to secure to our state
the honorable position Maine should have in
the Senate of the United States. YORK.