Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1877-03-20
Portland Collector.

President Hayes has appointed ex-
Secretary Morrill, Cole ctor of the Port OF
Portland, OF the appointment the Press
says:
The appointment of Hon. Lot NJ. Nor
rill as Collector OF this port is an admira
ole one and reflects credit alike on our
representative 10 Congress and the
President. Their action will give verS
general satisfaction 10 the people OF this
district and OF the whole State. Mr..
Morrill's character as developed by &
long and useful public life is so high and
his reputat on so unspO,ted rs 10 attract
the respect and esteem of every body
while he has filled such high and reSpon
sible positions -COugreSsman, Governor,
Secretary OF the Treasury as-to dignity
the new office 10 which he comes. Dir.
Morrill, may lie confidently expected to
administer the collectorship with the
same attention 10 the puolic interests and
the same courtesy and consideration tor
those who do business with him which he
has shown in the varied and important
trusts which have been before committed
10 him. An excellent thing has been
done by the new administration, which
merits hearty approval and congratula-
ton.
Even the Portland ArgIS says: The
President could not have made better
selection than EX-Secretsry Morrill, for
Collector OF Portlsnd, had be sought the
whole republican party in this State
through. Mr.. Morrill,. during long years
OF faithful public service, has made
record of which any man might well be
proud"
The following is special to the New
York Evening Post
WASHINGTON, MAR. 15.-There is
trouble among the Maine politicians grow
ing out Of the published statement that
ex-Secretary Morrill, Is indebted for his
appointment as collector of customs at
Portland to Senator Blaine, and Repre-
sentative Hale and Reed, who, according
to Senator Blaine, called upon the Presi-
dent, Monday, and requested Mr.. Nor
rill's appointment, and were assured that
il would be made
This was Mr.. Blaine's own statement,
as made TO your correspondent, and was
accepted as true. 1t now appears that
in the middle Of last week Representa-
tive Frye, after consultation with Mr.. Nor
rill's friends, called npon the president
and told him the ex-Secretary would ac-
cept the Portland collectorship. The
President said it would afford him plea
sure to make the appointment, and that
he regretted Mr.. Morrill, would not accept
4 first class foreign mission The rest of
the story is told in the following letter
which was received to-day from Repre-
sentative Frye:
REVERE House, Boston, MARCH Is, 1877.
Dear Sir The ways of the world are
diverse and some times past finding out.
| very earnestly recommended Mr.. Nor
rill week since for the office of collec-
tor, and then called on Senator Blaine,
and he informed me he would do what he
could to give Mr. Morrill, some other
place; that Mr.. Marble was to have this.
| then saw Mr.. Hale, and he was sorry
| had done anything Of the kind, because
the delegation was for Marble. On Sun
day last | informed Senator Hamlin of
what had done, and he told me Marble
had the whole delegation except me and
Mr.. Reed; that Reed would be there on
the next day and would support Marble.
Judge Of my surprise on taking up
Boston paper since and reading; "Mr.
Morrill, was appointed on the recommen-
datiOn Of Senator Blaine, Eugene Hale
and Mr.. Reed, Frye had nothing to do
with it. Now is this true? Did they
recommend him? If yes, they did so af-
ter they knew the appointment was to be
made. Please let me know the inside of
this, and direct your letter to Lewiston.
Very truly yours,
Signed WILLIAM 2. FRYE.