The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1876-07-08
A Political Conference.
From the Portland Advertiser.

The conference held in Biddeford last even
ing was called by the following circular letter:
"Resolced, That it is right and polite to make the
| York county,
To the Republicans of the First Congressional
District of Maine:
All who believe that fair dealing in politics
is essential to the welfare and success of po-
| litical party, are requested to meet with us at
kendalPs Hall, in Biddeford, Thursday even
ing, July 6, 1885, at u o'clock, to consider the
situation of Republican affairs in this district,
and to lnaugurate snch measures as may be
deemed necessary to assert the rights of York
county IN Congressional matters, and further
the interests of the Republicaniparty.
Fer Order of the BIDDEFoRD AND SACo
DELEGATIONS to the District Convention holden
on the 18th day of June, at Portland.
This invitation was sent out privately, the
intention being to hold a conference merely for
the purpose of deciding whether any public
action would be expedient. The rumor got
abroad, however, and the Biddeford agent for
tie Associated Press and a reporter for tie
Argus, were present and reported the proceed
| ings.
Biddeford sent fourteen delegates to the re-
cent convention and Saco eleven. About as
many more gentlemen, mostly from Biddeford
and Saco, attended the meeting. From Cum
berland county, Messrs. Albion Little VIM. E.
Gould, John E. Donnell and Henry A. Hart
were present, and Mr.. Little presided over the
| meeting, which authorized a committee to call
| another convention, should they think best.
Mr. o. B Chadbourne of Saco, is charm an of
the committee thus empowered. and Messrs
Donnell and Hart are members
Mr.. Little, being Intercepted this morning,
said he supported Mr.. Burleigh during the re-
cent canvass, believing that their was some JUS
tice in the claim of York county, and that the
stronger than the choice Of Mr.. Reed. When
the case went to the jury, however, and was
decided in favor of Mr.. Reed, he considered
himself bound by the action of the convention,
and intended and intends to vote for the nomi-
nee: he went to Bddeford, being invited, to
confer with Mr.. Burleigh's friends there, and
being called to the chair, presided over the de-
llberations. but does not consider himself re-
sponsibe for what was there said or done.
Mr.. Gould says there were forty EIGHT gentle
men present, including the most active working
members of the Republican party in York
county. In the number were three county off
GERS There was not a Democrat in the hall
There was no excitement, and there were no
rash remarks. The York county men spoke
Chilly OF the necessity of saving the county
ticket, and for this purpose thought it would be
necessary to nominate York candidate for
Congress. Mr.. Reeds name was not mention
ed disrespectfully. Judge Tapley's remarks are
not quite accurately represented in the report
Tor the Argus He said the new movement
might result in political calamity but the ex-
ample OF Massachusetts has shown that such
calamities are sometimes wholesome. MI.
Bureigh'S name was only once mentioned by a
gentleman who said he was not there BY Mr.,
Burleigh's request. Mr.. Gould said emphati-
cally that the meeting was not suggested or en-
couraged by MIR. Burleigh. 1t was spontan-
eous movement for the preservation of the
county ticket. The committee, Mr.. Gould
THINKS, Will issue an address, containing state
ment OF all the facts relating to the representa-
ton of the district, the number of terms as
signed to the two counties, the methods en-
ployed by the candidates to secure the nomina-
ton, the apportionment of delegates. and the
influences which brought about Mr.. Reeds
nomination, and will on this showing call new
convention. The address will probably be
issued in pamphlet for general distribution.
The Advertiser makes the following editorial
comment upon the Biddeford Conference:
1t is net worth while to disguise the fact that
the political conference at Biddeford last eve
ming was, to all intents and purposes a Demo-
cratic caucus. Judge Tapley, in fec distinctly
admitted that new nomination would aid the
perhaps secure his election. The movement is
practically, then, for the benefit of the Demo
cratic party, and voters who wish to throw their
influence in that direction will understand that
this is as good way to do it as if they voted
the Democratic ticket directly. No valid OBJ
lection to Mr.. Reed has yet been offered, end
the apparent occasion for these extraordinary
proceedings is a willingness, on the part of
some York office.holders to sacrifice the Con-
gressional ticket in order to save their county
offices. better way would be- to save both
tickets; the average voter when he begins to
vote the Democratic ticket, may not stop to
make nice distinctions.