The Portland daily press., 1879-02-15
THE MAYORALTY.
The Clifford Movement Boo ming.

| The PRESS interview with the Hon. Charles
E. Clifford, aud the placing by that gentleman
| of himself on license and retrenchment plat
form, as we'll as his frank avowal of his candi-
dacy, has resulted 10 making him the most
talked of man in Portland, as we'll as the most
prominent a. yet named by the Democratic
Greenback combination for Mayor To say
that the leaders of tbs Damocratic-Greenback
| combination were pleased with the announce
ment that Mr.. Clifford was 10 the field, would
BIZ putting it rather strong; bat time is the
curer of all gr4fs, and these same leaders
already hear Cfford's name mentioned with
out any serious outburst of profanity. and even
with something resembling smile. That Cliff
ford must be their candidate many of them &C.
knowledge. But there is no disputing the fact
that it is crow to them; though some try to
make it appear that Clifford was their first
choice.
The old-time Democrats, who never voted any
ether ticket, aud who look back to the DAYS
of Andrew Jackson, favor the nomination of
Clifford, who comes of Democratic family.
No name is dearer to the average Democrat
than that of Judge Clifford, and the popular
candidate for Mayor has the recommendation
of being "the son of his father. The younger
Democrats might like man who had been
more one of themselves. but the license plank
in the Clifford platform is all powerful with
that class, and there would ba no boiling of
Clifford if nominated, while there promises to
be very decided bolt to him, if be is not
nominated.
There is no doubt that Walker would be
nominated if Cliff ord had not appeared in the
field; Fox had little real strength, it is said.
As the PRESS announced, the Greenbsck lead
ers had resolved to support Walker as the
Greenback as well as the Democratic candidate
This resolution was arrived at the same even
ing that Mr.. Clifford was interviewed. Most
of the Greenback leaders, like John M. Todd.
are pronounced prohibitionists, and the license
men will find little to recommend Mr.. Walker
to them in the fact that he is supported by
prohibition Greenbackers. The license advo-
Gates have nearly been driven to cut loose from
all parties, as they say the Democratic State
Convention of 1873 refused to adopt this pet
idea; the Republican party is, of course COM
mitted to prohibition; and the new Greenback
organization, to judge by the attitude of Scion
Chase's Chronicle toward the Druggists Bill
will follow in the same track. The license
men would find but cold comfort and small
mercy from the owner of ''them steers" and
John NJ. Todd. Clifford will then command
from the outset, the support of this very
large element of the Democratic party. As
one of them said last night "Clfford means
business" This class will make themselves
heard and felt. Clifford means to make the
license question an immediate political issue.
He will make the fight here with the State
election in view. and every vote cast for Cliff
ford will be vote for license.
The Argus comes up smiling, and yesterday
gave its readers the Clifford platform as an
nounced two days before in the PRESS. Two
days hence, it will probably discover that
Clifford is to be the Democratic candidate; and
in week or so, that he was its candidate from
the start.
Yesterday it was reported that Mr.. Walker
will not consent to run unless be is assured Of
a united support, which he is not likely to get.
On the other hand it is said that Clifford can
not get the votes of the "hard money" Demo.
Gratis, of whom good Democratic authority
says there are 500 in Portland; but then Walk
or has made bid for the support of the soft
money" men and is about as likely to loseIthe
votes of thatlclsss. as Clifford. The friends of
Clifford admit that he will lose the votes of
some prohibition Democrats, but they claim
that he will get the support of some license
Republicans, The appearance of Mr.. Clifford
"has complicated things as one of the faithful
remarked, ''till the devil himself can't tell
what will be the end" but just now it looks as
though that with the Democracy it will b. for
Clifford and defeat.
Last night it was reported that If nominated
Mr.. Clifford will put himself in the hands OF
his friends to make the fight for him.