Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-07-06
The Greenback ClOven Foot.
J. o. SMITH, Secretary.


The Greenback ClOven Foot.
In the carrying forward on their part OF
the State campaign, it remained for the
Greeenbackers. at their District conyen
ton held al Belfast. ON Tuesday. to dis
play in its most hideous proportions the
hateful cloven foot of communism. This
is the united testimony of the Belfast
Journal (democratic) and OF the Agt
(greenback.) In the spirit and tone OF
the speeches at the convention. in the wild
and reckless demonstrations, and in the
record and character o! the candidate
nominated for representative to Congress
1.-THE red hand of communism" was clear
roughs, of adventures, of irresponsible
men--of men who strike for higher wag
es when they are receiving from three to
five dollars day; who embarass business
and cripple industry, by the dictations o.
their inner secret councils of trades
unions. The motto of that convention
was plainly written several weeks ago. b,
Perry. the editor of the greenback Cam
den Herald. "Thts party is prepared for
the cartridge boz. If theu do not get 0hat
ltey ,0dnk al the ballot bon" 1t is well for
the security of life and property. and for
the triumph of law and order, that tn.
cloven foot was dis Llaved
Pa haG .,
convention was Mr.. William NJ. Rust OF
the Progressive Age. a man of character.
experience and integrity. but these were
not the qualities deemed requisite in the
standard bearer of the new patty. Tn,
convention was really mass meeting
composed of stoDe-cut-rs belonging t.
p the secret trades unions. the attendance
being chiefly limited to Waldo and Knox
counties. On the first ballot for can
didate for Congressman. the vote stood :
Whole number. i55
Necessary for a choice, rs
Thompson ii. Murch, 50
Wn. M Rust, n
W. W. Perry, IL
j. W. Knowltop. 4
Perry, who with his eleven votes held the
balance Of power, then withdrew in his
usual bombastic style, and in a speech So
discourteous to the leading candidate that
Mr. Rust withdrew from the convention.
preferring not to he further insulted. On
the second ballot Murch received the NOM
nation:
. Whole number, l52
Necessary for a choice, II
Thompson II. Murch, "a
WB. VI. Rust, 81
Wv Perry,
Who is this Murch. will be naturally
askedp The gentleman who presented his
name to the convention. said he had "start-
ed without father from infancy" And
that he "had witnessed the siege of Sehas-
topol.n Had been in the granite business
and was now Secretary of the Granite Cut
ter's National Union. Furthermore that
1000 granite cutters are unanimous in hi
support and will not vote for any one else.
He has large salary as Secretary of the
Stone Cutters National Council. and is
at the head of the strikers Murch him
self said he had never spoken in public,
but If you do me the honor of nominal
ing me. YOU will never regret it" In his
speech" of acceptance he said that he
had no exp citation when he came TO thi.
convention of being nominated; for he
knew able men would he presented as
candidates. He declared that he had
never been inside school house since
he was sixteen years old, but he claimed
TO be posted on general subjects and on
politics. He said he was poor, he had
not dollar in the world to spend to
secure his election He offered
his sincere thanks for the honor of the
nomination, and If elected he would do
his dnty as tar as voting was concerned
But he could not be expected TO make
speeches.
Mr.. Rust, editor Of the Progressive
Age, (greenback) in speaking of the can.
didate. say:
"Towsrd Mr.. Much, The nominee, we have none
but friendly feelings And we should be pleased
10 present him TO the intelligent voters Of our
district ss a suitable candidate to retre.cnt urem
did nst his own speech made in accept NJ the
nemin atea show that he is unsuitable He said
that IL had t<sn understood that be wa. an educa
ted man, wh<n Il wa the reverse He hal never
seen the inside of 4 schoolhouse sine he was six.
teen wears old; tha' be was not speaker, and as
for property, ne wss not worth a dollar. Now
with such testimony a. th,s coming from himself
IL lie question Tn he determined hy the peopl. of
the district whether be would he ft representa-
i've 10 represent one Of The most important repre-
sentative dstsicts iD the Union. II wa. a singu.
lar speeeh, q man boasting Of his lax OF &C.
quired ability, and Of his having lived over { wy
year, without .osuiriag saving doh ~.
Whatever NAV he thanght Of his 60 fe-seA lark
Of acquired shiliiy or his spsu tabieness to take
care Of the mosey Of The people, tsying peyer