The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1876-07-29
From the Portland Advertiser.l
The BiddefOrd Manifesto

Inc committee appointed at the Biddeford
conference three weeks ago have reported. The
report is bill of indictment against the Re-
publican convention which nominated Mr.. Reed
for Congress, and the six counts are drawn with
great skill. The committee invite the Repub.
licans of this district to join in the selection of
new candidate. l. Because York county is
entitled to the honor of furnishing candidate.
2 Because the defeat of Mr.. Burleigh was the
work of ambitious office seekers and disap-
pointed placemen. 8. Because the district
committee gave York county less than her pro-
portonate representation IN the convention. T.
because Senator Hamlin's interference was un-
uignlled ardlmpertinent. 5. Because Mr.. Reed
OBTAINED the nomination by his own personal
enofts. =. Because Mr.. Reed is young man
not directly connected with the great business
interests OF the district, not pre-eminent in his
own profession, and not the man to stand mp
against corruption in his own party.
Ii these statements were correct they would
be very powerful reasons for defeating the
nominee OF the convention. If they are un-
true, then the opposition to Mr.. Reed is factious
and unreasonable; and it does not follow, be-
cause this committee believe what they say, and
are willing to stand by it. that their conclusions
must be accepted by their fellow citizens.
1t is not true for example, that Mr.. Reed was
nominated by the solid weight of Cumberland
against York. On the contrary, "a Cum ber-
land delegates out of 100 voted for Mr.. Bur-
leigh; and 2S York delegates out of 125 voted
Tor Mr.. Reed. 1t the apportionment had been
105 for Cumberland and 108 for York, as this
committee say il should have been, the result
would have been unchanged; Mr.. Reed receiy-
ing the same proportion of the vote of both
counties would have had majority of 8 in
stead of Is.
1t is not true that the defeat of Mr.. Burleigh
was the work of office-seekers and placemen,
or was accomplished by Senator Hamlin's inn
pertinent interference. In Deering, where Mr.
Hamlin's letter was read in the caucus, it help
ed secure full delegation for Mr.. Burlegh In
Portland, 1046 voters supported Mr.. Reed in
the caucuses, carrying every ward, against 1893
for Mr.. Burleigh. Personal motives no doubt
operated on both sides, but it would be a great
mistake to suppose that these 1046 men were
all or mainly office-seekers or placemen; and it
would be equally mistake to construe their
support OF Mr.. Reed as an affront to Mr.. Bur-
leigh or his friends. They were not opposed to
Mr.. Burleigh on his own account, but they were
in favor OF MI. Reed, and they owe no apology
10 anybody Tor supporting the candidate of
their choice.
1t is not true that Mr.. Reed in canvassinc the
district, went beyond the example set by Mr..
Burleigh. Both canddatesimade thorough
CduNdSS, II tnlS practlce Is 10 De cenSured, then
Mr.. Burleigh's coursesas we'll as Mr.. Reeds is
open TO criticism. 1t does not appear that
either of them made any unbecomng promises
or pledges. Mr.. Reeds friends in this city an
nounced distinctly that they had no offices to
promise to active workers."
There remains only the comparison of the
two candidates in point of ability and courage.
The Advertiser has always done justice to Mr.
Burleighs manly position In Congress He is
not professional reformer, but he is an honest
man, and has done some honest service in ex-
posing the mismanagement of the navy yard at
Kittery. He deserves the respect and conf
dence of his constituents and would have been
entitled to the united support of the Republ-
cans of the first district if be had been renom-
mated by their delegates. A majority of the
delegates preferred Mr.. Reed, aud the same
unanimous support is due to him. Mr.. Reed is
a young man, but not too young TO have dis
tinguished himself in an arduous aud crowded
profession. Ii not preemlnent he is at least en-
inent at the bar. On the platform, it is hard
to lind his equal in the state. He lacks neither
courage nor self-respect, and has already had a
legislative experience which qualities him for
the larger duties to which he is called. The
Portland convention had to choose between
two good candidates, and by small majority,
after due deliberaton, preferred Mr.. Reed.
The objections TO this choice are not we'll talk.
en-, and it is not to be believed that they will
much affect the average voter who will bring
in his verdict on the I1th of September.