Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-07-22
THE PORTLAND ADVERTISER AM
THE OXFORD COUNTY NOMINEE FOI
SENATOR.

| sen Il IOh.
PORTLAND, July q.
To tie Editor Of tie Journal:
think the people of Maine will begin to find
out the utterly reckless and unreliable character
of the editorial statements in the Portland Adyer-
tser. See the latest proof Of it. AS the
Oxford County Republican Convention was held
Mr.. Richardson announced that there had been in
that convention great contest between Messrs
Morrill, and Blaine, and that Mr.. Wadsworth
had been nominated by two to one as "the
avowed champion of Mr.. Morrill's reelection to
the Senate" Those who know anything about
the convention knew that there was no ground
whatever for this statement that it was pure in
vention of Mr.. Richardson, for which he had no
authority, and that in fact the question between
Mr.. Morrill, and Mr.. Blaine, if there is any 9ues-
ton between them, had never been so much as
mentioned at the convention.
Certain parties cognzant of the real facts of the
case went to Mr.. Richardson aud endeavored to
have him correct his erroneous statement. | think
am correct in saying that four different gentle
men went to Mr.. Richardson and assured him that
his statement was groundless, that it was creating
i'll feeling in Oxford by the mere fact Of its utter
untruth, and that its tendency was to damage Mr.
Wadsworth at the election. But Mr. Richardson
paid heed to any..of these assurances, though he
well knew the character of the gentlemen making
them, and OF their thorough knowledge CT the
subject.
At length Mr.. Wadsworth himself, willing to
stand it no longer, has written letter which Mr..
Richardson livery reluctantly l am told) was
compelled to publish-contradicting every state
me Mt made by Mr.. Richardson edtorially. 1t is
not often that an editor is put through such hum-
iation as Mr.. Richardson has experienced in this
matter. l know Richardson and his ways so well
that know the exact calculation by which he ex-
pected this false statement to keep in circulation
all summer. Said he to hmsef-'I will make
this statement and IS candidates are reluctant
to speak, Wadswsrth will keep silent and no 9TH
err mans contradiction will avail" But Mr.. Wad-
sworths bodness and frankness surprised and
Mr.. Richardson, while at the same
time it cruelty exposes him and his peculiar ways.
Mr.. Wadsworth very properly says that on the
question Of U. S. Senator he is independent and
by pledge or promise, and that the
convention understood this to be his position when
be was nominated"
Mr.. Richardson naturally seeks to retreat from
one false statement by substituting another. He
now says that Ex-Gov. Perham and others under
stood Mr.. Wadsworth's position to be as he stated
it. Mr. Richardson has no more authority for this
statement than for his previous false one. The
real truth is that Mr.. Wadsworth while uncom-
mitted as he says on the Senator question is nat
urally locally and personally inclined to Ex-Gov.
Perham himself-and if the Ex-Goy. has any I'M
Outstanding on the question it would inevitably
take that direction. 1t could not properly take
any other.
Mr. Richardson's motive in the whole matter is
not to benefit Mr.. Morrill,. 1t is is merely to make
strife and stir up dscontent, and plant the seeds
of dissolution in the republican party,-of which
he is a most malignant enemy. lie thinks It