Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-08-05
To the Republicans of Kennebec
Lincoln and KnOx-COunties OF
the Third Congressional District

The undersigned, representing the republican
party of Somerset county ask leave to urge upon
you certain considerations in favor of the nomna-
ton of Hon. Stephen ID. Lindsey of Norridgewock
as Representative in Congress, to succeed the Hon.
James G. Blaine.
The contest for the nomination is now practical
" narrowed down to choice between Mr. Lind
sey and Hon. John l., Stevens of Augusta, thus
bringing into prominence the relative claims OF
Somerset and Kennebec for the nomination
Both gentlemen are entitled to the highest measure
of public confidence; but no one, wepresume, will
pretend that Mr.. Stevens is more tit or proper
man to represent the District than Mr.. Lindsey.
Where there is decided superiority or recognized
greater tne:s in one candidate over another, the
claim Of locality should not be raised but in this
case, the most partial friend of Mr.. Stevens will
not claim these qualities on his behalf This be-
ing the case, personally as between the two candi
dates for nomination, the claim on the score of To-
caliy must be considered, and it is a matter Of
some interest to show how the case stands.
Since the State of Maine was organized ffty-six
years ago. Somerset, parts of it, have been unit
ed in the same Congressional District with kenne :
bee the entire time except one decade. For forty
six years Somerset and kennebec have composed
parts Of the same Congressional District. OF that
entire period Kennebec has had the repre- senta-
tive in Congress forty years, Somerse: two years,
and other parts Of the District four years.
Fit be said that it is unfair to go back to a Pc
rod before the republican party existed, then let
the comparison be confnel to the twenty years
that.the republican party ha. had undsputed sway
in the District. In 1856 and in 1853, Freeman II.
Morse, of Bath, was elected and served four years
as Representative. The sixteen ensuing years,
down to this date, the County ofKennebec has had
the Representative in the persons Of the Hon. An
son 2. Morrill, and Hon. James G. Blaine. Som
erset has not once had the candidate since the Re-
publican party existed.
We have no desire to stir up local jealousy or
contention, but we respectfully appeal to our
friends in Kennebec to do US simple justice. Tie
wise management of great party cons lists in
dealing fairly with all sections and with all men,
and we make this appeal with the best of motives
and the kindest of feelings.
During one decade Somerset was united with
Waldo in a Congressional district and our rights
were respected by taking the candidate from
among us for portion of the time.
During another decade a part of our County
was united with Penobscot and again our local
rights were respected.
During the forty-six years that the whole or a
part of Somerset has been united with Kennebec
single term of two years is all that has been
conceded to us against Kcnnebecs forty years.
We do not assume that our local claim is
stronger than that of Lincoln or Knox, but the
contest happens to turn upon Somerset candidate,
and We therefore invite the cooperation of our
Lincoln and Knox friends as we would give our
support to them were the position reversed.
Now can we believe that our Kennebec friends
desire or intend to do us injustice. Nor do we
mean to imply that Somerset has reluctantly sup
ported Kennebec candidates in the past. On the
contrary we have most cheerfully supported them
and have taken special pride in the eminence
achieved in the National Councils by kennebec' $
latest and longest Representative, rejecting as he
has credit and honor on the whole District We
only ask to be dealt with in spirit of like justice,
and we make this appeal specially and cordially
to our Kennebec friends, and we cannot believe
it will pass UNDECIDED.
If time sufIiced we feel assured that every re-
| publican in Somerset would sign this appeal and
therefore put it forth the voice of the entire
republican party of this County, and in order tina
| it nave proper publicity we respectfully ask the
Editors of the kennebec Journal, Bangor Wing,
| Portland Press, Lewiston Journal and Bath Times
to insert tt in their columns, these papers are
largely circulated in the Third District and have
great influence on public opinion.
| II. d. Shepherd, VIM. ii. Stephens, D. d. Stew
| art, Abel Prescott James Bell, A. n. Greenwood,
Joseph Clark, Stephen Coburn, Dennis Moore,
| VIM. IL. Brown, Henry Williamson, c. A. Wood
bury, Heman Whipple, Joel Colby, J. B. Dascomb,
! T. G. Greene, Isaac Dyer.