The Portland daily press., 1878-12-04
If the Union was worth fighting for it i
worth paying for.
Under Which Kins2

A great many mistaken and untrue reports
have appeared in papers outside this State
concerning the action to be taken by Repub-
licans in the Maine Legislature in regard to
the election of Governor. The Republicans
of Maine have made no bargains with either
Democrats or Greenbackers, and they pur.
pose to make none. Their candidate is Gov
enor Connor and they will support him as
long as there is a reasonable chance of his
success. If those Democratic members of
the House who profess to be hard-money
men are sincere in their professions and have
the courage of their convictions they will
endeavor to send the names of two hard
money men to the Senate.
If however the name of hard-money man
and the name of a soft-money man are sent
up by the House there is but one course for
the Republican Senators to pursue, and that
is to vote for the hard-money man. Moth
ing else can consistently be done. The cam.
paign in this State was fought on the finan-
cial issue. Until that issue is settled finally
and out of politics we cannot, we have no
wish to disregard it. The next Governor of
Maine, whether he be Republican or Demo-
crat, must be an upholder of a currency
based on and convertible into coin at the
will of the holder. 1t is needless to say that
between DIR. Garcelon and Major Smith, as
they now express themselves, there can be no
hesitation in choosing. The views expressed
on the financial question by DR.. Garce-
lon are far sounder than those expressed
by Major Smith. Indeed there is considera-
BILE doubt as to the opinions held by the Ma
tional candidate, doubt he seems to be in
no hurry to remove. His utterances as re-
ported by the Lewiston Journal are by no
means clear. On the other hand the posi-
ton taken by DR.. Garcelon is unequivocal.
He holds to currency convertible into coin,
does not entertain the delusion that contrac-
tion has worked the evils under which the
country has been suffering for the last few
years, and is opposed to an underweighted
silver dollar. On some other questions, per-
haps on all others, Major Smith is more in
sympathy with the Republican party than is
the Democratic candidate. But on the mon
ey question on which the campaign in this
State was fought, his views are not sound.
In all probability after that question is taken
out of politics he will be in substantial accord
with the Republican party, as DR.. Garcelon
will be opposed to it. But on the subject of
finance he is not in accord with us, while his
opponent is; and we have as yet seen no evil
dence of a genuine change of heart.
The situation then is this we shall do our
best to elect Governor Connor, and hope to
succeed. If we fail to do that we must
throw our votes for that man whose financial
views are soundest. In this as in all other
cases, honesty is the best policy. It would
be grave injury to the cause of honest
money and to the Republican party should
we give the country the impression that the
Republicans of Maine have weakened op the
money question.
1t is evident that hard-money man will
be chosen Governor in any event. Whether
that man be Connor or GarcelonJ rests in a
great measure with those Greenbackers in
the House who are of Republican antecedents.
If thev prefer hard-money Republican to a
hard-money Democrat Governor Connor's
name will be one of those seat up to the Sem
ate. They are called upon to choose between
a man with whom they agree on every ques-
ton except the financial and a man with
whom they agree in nothing. They will do
well to carefully consider the situation.