Daily Kennebec journal., 1878-06-15
From the Bangor Wing and Courier.
The Greenback Candidate.

Smith of Oldtown, the greenhack candi-
date for Governor, has been until recently Y
very prominent and active republican.
and as the Kennebec journal, quoted else
where, expresses the surprise OF many
people that business man like Mr. Smith
should encourage the falacies of initiation,
it would seem proper to throw little light
upon the subject.
In the first place Mr. Smith has not been
an active or earnest republican for a num-
ber of years, but has Tor some time been
classed among the "disatfected." In 1873,
at a meeting of the Penobscot delegate IS
to the Republican State Convention he was
appointed one of a committee OF three to
select member of the State Committee
and induced the two other members to
Join in naming himself. What his object
was, btyond obtaining prominence" in
the reports, we do not know, but he gave
no indication of zeal IN behalf of the par
ty, and we believe he never at ended Il
meeting of the State Committee or pntc-
ipaied in any of its work. AT any rate he
was regarded as "disgrunlled" politician.
and at the very next State Convention a
new member was chosen hy unanimous
voice OF the delegation, to take the place
he had not filed in tie Republican State
Committee. From that time to the pres
ent Mr.. Smith has never been counted as
an active republican or relied up N for in
fluence in behalf of the party.
We come now to some events which
may explain his open detection and his
sudden espousal of the greenback cause.
Ir the fall of 1875 an active canvass was
begun by two or three persons who de-
sired to obtain the position of Indian
Agent then held by George f. Diling-
ham, ESQ OF o DIT jwn. Among these as
prants was son-in-law OF Mr.. Smith, and
before the meeting Of the legislature it
was understood that by dint of under
standings, arrangements and compromises
the son-in-law OF Mr.. Smith had satisfied
SOiut vi luC OtHti aud
the ..insde track" AT the meeting OF
the legislature in 1876. Mr.. Smith went to
Augusta with a strong lobby of friends
from Odtown TO push the appointment OF
his sol-in-law. 1t was determined to
make it a political matter and to rely upon
political wire-puliing. The various par
ties Interested in securing that particular
appointment Piled the members OF th.
county delegation with arguments and
persuasions, and finally at partial meet
ing of the members obtained an express
sion in his favor. Mr. Smith conducted
the operations in person, and among those
most eager for the success of his efforts
were the Folsoms, of Odtown, to whom,
it was privately announced, the son-n-la law
OF Mr.. Smith had promised to assign the
keeping OF the store Tor supplies 10 the
Indians.
Having obtained a quasi-indorsement
from the county members, the name OF
Mr.. Smiths son-in-law was presented to
Governor Connor 10 the n..ture OF
instructions as to the appointment
from the Penobscot delegation. The Gov
ernor politely listened to the message and
remarked that he should always be pleased
toIearn the views and wishes oi members
of Legislature, but that the appontmen,
of Indian Agent was in no sense county
matter, and he should feel it his duty to
be governed solely by regard for the Ell
ficiency OF the service and The best inter-
ests OF the State in filling The position.
This raised a terrible storm among Mr..
Smiths adherents, and he bounced around
furiousiy, boasting that he would take the
Governor down IRON his high horse and
let him know that Joseph l. SmilA WAS
not TO be trifled with. Mr. Smith repaired
TO the Governors room, boiling over with
wrath, and at once began TRADE of die
tation and threats that OF itown and Pc
nobscOt County would punish the Govern
or ii he did not appoint his son-in-law.
Those who know Governor Connor can
imagine how he would meet that sort of
balldozing, aud from the infuriated ac-
counts given out by Mr.. Smith and from
other sources ii was very generally learn
ed that the Governor administered very
dignifed and emphatic rebuke to the inso-
lent attempt TO dictate his official action
The Governor very properly and to the
satisfaction OF disinterested citizens 70.
appointed Mr.. D.llngham, whose record
of efficiency and recommendations from
those entitled TO respect, including prom
inent members of the Penobscot delega.
tion. amply warranted his retention in ot.
fee. Mr.. Smith and his coterie of disan.
pointed iuglers left the Capital, breathing
fire and slaughter against Connor. and
threatening vengeance at the next cleo
ton. They tried to carry out their tbrea,
by working against the republican candi.
dates in Odtown, but the result was 8
large increase OF the republican vote, and
an increase OF 1870 in Governor Connor,s
majority ever that of the previous wear