The Portland daily press., 1879-08-06
The Bargain Completed.
THE DOINGS OF THE GREENBACK
CONVENTION.
After Stormy Session They Unite with
the Democrats.

NNNA'S,
assembling, delegates intent on fusion passed
and repassed. The Democrats found them
selves Tor the first time since the first gun was
hred on Fort Sumter anxious for union and
seemed to entertain for the average Greenback-
er the same fraternal feeling with which of old
they welcomed the Confederate brother: and
drank the Greenback romances of dull times and
impending financial ruin, as from 1861 to 1864
they did reports of Union defeat. They felt
better than they had since it was announced
in War Times" that Washington was in
danger from Confederate advance.
But there were some Greenbackers who did
not seem to any marked degree to return this
warm feeling. Colonel j. F. Turner of the
New Era, wandered around from the hall to
the anteroom, very uneasy man indeed; and
MS very presence, ominous of evil, seemed to
chill the very bones of the ardent Democrat,
eager to embrace his long lost br1 Their. If Mr..
Turner was as intimately acquainted with him.
self as he thought he was, he hadn't lost any
brother.
Mr.. A. j. Blethen circulated around and
was warmly welcomed. Somehow the inno-
cent Greenbackers seem to think that Mr..
Blethen is considerable of ''critter" and that
he can command some votes.
Mr.. Quimby, chairman of the County Com
mittee, sat at the table in the anteroom giving
out tickets for the preliminary session, Which
the County committee had voted to make
private Mr.. Quimby disclaimed having any
personal objection against the admission of re-
porters, but said that such had been the vote of
his committee. Mr.. Todd thought the idea of
holding secret session a bad one, and Mr..
Qumby promised to bring the matter before
the Convention, in whose hands it must ulti-
mately rest for decision.
Doorkeepers stood at the doors and received
'he tickets, and under the eye of the chairman
OF the County committee kept vigilant watch
and ward over the sacred precincts
Moses G. Dow, of Deering, called the Con-
vention to order, and j. f. Turner and q
W. Rice were made temporary secretaries.
The County committee were appointed COM
mittee on credentials.
John M. Todd moved to admit the reporter
of the PRESS. Carried.
John M. Todd was called on to speak, and
referred to circular which had been circulated
prior to the Convention, and commented on it.
The circular pointed out that the delegate rep
resentation was unfair, and the apportionment
made in order to throw the Convention into
the hands of the Democrats
Mr.. Todd followed up his remarks by di j.
cussng the question of union. The question
is, are we organizing for victoryor defeat? This
union may be sweet in the mouth and bitter
in the belly, and the reverse No committee
on NIL, In 4l,or ~
Vention what it shall do. He, himself, said to
the old party, stay where you are and be
damned. He moved that the Convention
settle the question of a union with the Demo-
cratic party then and there.
Mr.. Waite reported the following list of
officers:
President, John Harper, Of Portland; Vice
Presidents, F. W, Nichols Freeport, w. B.
Dresser, Standish; Secretaries, d. c. Moulton
Cape Elizabeth, Samuel A. Berry Deering.
John M. Todd objected, and moved that the
temporary organization be made permanent
Mr.. Chaplin moved to accept the report,
and lay it on the table, Carried
DIR. ID. W. Hall made an earnest speech
against Mr. Todd's motion to make the tempo
FAIRY organization the permanent one. He de-
nounced the ring. The Chairman of the Coun-
ty Committee names the temporary Chairman,
and moves to make it permanent Why hold a
Convention at all? Why not let the County
Committee name the candidates and then we
can vote for them if fools enough?
John M. Todd said Gas God lives, am not
in any ring"
Mr.. Chaplin thought the Convention should
continue the temporary organization.
Mr.. Dow manifested strong desire to keep
the chair, having probably speech that he
wanted to deliver
The question was settled by making the
temporary organization permanent by vote of
SO to A.
j. f. Turner, John Harper, Mr.. Chenery
and Mr. Parker successfully declined to serve
as Secretaries and the first list reported was
finally adopted
Mr.. Todd moved that all those who might
desire to unite with any party manifest it by
raising their hands. Some one wanted report
ers excluded. Mr. Todd then, at the request
of Mr.. Dow, withdrew his motion.
Mr.. Waite said that the Greenbaek County
committee had appointed subcommittee to
meet Democratic subcommittee, and they
agreed on the following as fair division of
County officers. The Greenbackers to have
two Senators, Register of Probate, County
Treasurer, and Commissioner, and the Demo-
Gratis to have two Senators, Judge of Probate,
and County Attorney.
Mr. Todd denounced this ''bed room sys-
tenn" and stood by his motion.
Mr.. Chaplin said that if both the Green
hackers and Democrats desired the destruct-
ton Of the Republican party they must wait.
Mr.. Todd denounced such speeches.
Then discussion ensued as to what the
question was, and Mr.. Chaplin moved to ac
cept the report
Mr.. Chase denounced the union. God for
bid that he should affiliate with the Demo
Gratis.
The vote was then taken on what was called
Mr.. Todd's motion, but which Mr.. Todd did
not make: Should the Greenback party unite
with the Democrats ON county matters; and it
was carried by rising vote of 1919 to 40, d. w.
Hull, j. F. Turner, Mr.. Clarke, the Rev. W.
F. Eaton, John NJ Todd and other prominent
Greenbackers voting in the negative.
Mr.. Todd said that be should support the
vote, and moved that committee of seven be
appointed to meet the Democrats and make
the best terms they could, but gave as his idea
that the Greenbackers should insist on one of
the four years offices, that of Judge of Probate,
or County Attorney.
Mr. Turner protested against the vote to
unite. being regarded as formal vote, and a
stormy discussion ensued.
A delegate said if the motion was carried he
should leave the convention.
Another delegate moved that the delegate
go now
Mr. Norwood said that union with the Dem
ocrats meant death to the Greenback party.
Mr.. Chase said it reminded him of the time
when the friends of General Anderson insisted
on presenting his name to Greenback Con-
gressional convention, after he had declared
himself Democrat.
The presence of committee from the DEM
ocratic convention was announced, and the
committee was requested to take the stand,
and did, in the person of Goodwin Of Bridgton,
Palmer, S. r. Lyman of Portland, Moulton of
Scarboro, and Harding of North Yarmouth
Mr. Goodwin of RridOton ,yon+od +bo +,,,1