The Portland daily press., 1880-02-23
TEE REPUBLICAN CONVENTION.
William Senter Nominated for Mayor.

was SO limited, they adjourned to Reception
Hall.
Hon. W. W. TIL mas, senior, was elected
chairman and William T. Small secretary.
Col Fred n. Dow suggested that the dele
gates should sit with closed doors, which mo-
ton was opposed by H. B. Cleaves, Esq, and
Hon. Nathan Webb on the ground that the
delegates were simply the representatives of
some three thousand voters who had right to
know what transpired, and what was said in
reference to any one, or any thing. Col Dow
replied that any one who knew him knew he
was not afraid to express his views before any
man, or set of men, and he simply made the
motion because he thought that a discussion
might ensue in the interests of candidates that
it was not necessary to state outside as, in the
end the matter would result tremendously.
The motion of Mr.. Dow was put and lost.
The roll was called and all delegates
answered to their names except two, Chas. R.
Milliken and S. 7. Corser, Hon. W. W.
Thomas Jr., and s. B. Graves appearing as
substitutes for them.
Messrs. Nathan Webb f. n. Dow and H. H.
Burgess were appointed committee to re-
ceive, sort and count votes.
Mr.. Eben Corey of ward 6 then presented
the name of James P. Baxter, Esq, as a can
didate for mayor cloud applause.) He said
there were very many voters in his ward who
desired to see Mr.. Baxter elected to that posi-
ton. In fact he had never seen so much feel
ing as was manifested there in his favor Mr..
Baxter was a man of the highest honor, man
universally respected and esteemed, and a
man whom the Republicans would honor, as
we'll as be honored themselves, by selecting
him for the Office.
Col Dow said at the caucus in ward a
number of gentlemen assembled intending to
present resolution opposing Mr.. Senter as a
candidate for mayor, but that at his request
and assurance that he would state their views
t., the convention, without endorsing them-as
he desired to have the caucus harmonious
they gave way. He then read letter, ex-
pressing the views of these gentlemen, through
Mr.. II S. Burrage editor of Zion's Advocate, to
the effect that the election should call out a
full vote and that he could not, and the other
gentlemen he represented, would not support
Mr. Senter.
Hon. W. w. Thomas, Jr., thought this was
an important epoch not only to the Republi-
can party of Portland, but to the State. From
all sections Republicans are looking to Port
and to see what she will do. For the first
time since the extraordinary outrage at Angus
ia Republican city speaks. For this reason
We should put up our strongest man. there
fore present the name of the strongest man as
L believe, the kindliest, q man who has walked
up and down the Portland streets for over
fifty years, and who has paid all his debts;
man, the highest type of Christian as ex-
pressed by Christ himself, who goes about do
ing good. nominate this man in the in
terest OF fair-play, that fair play which is a
jewel in politics as we'll as elsewhere.
nominate for the office of Mayor, William
Senter. Immense applause.) Last year
went personally to number of our leading
men, including Mr.. Baxter, and urged them to
be our candidate. They, and he, all declined,
and respect and love Mr. Baxter not Second
to any OF my fellow citizens. urged Mr.. Bax-
AXE Mr.. Senter. Why, as jack at pinch.
And yet even then. without our having an
opportunity to organize in his support at the
eleventh hour, he was defeated by only thirty
or forty votes. According to usage, if that
counts for anything, Mr.; Senter is TITLED to
the nomination. The father of our worthy
Col. Dow, the respected Hon. Neal Dow's ex-
ample, when he was nominated for Mayor,
should be a fair one for Mr.. Senter. By fol.
lowing usage, If Wa rest upon that alone, we
earn the respect and regard not only of can
didate but of all the candidates friends. I
bearer, we shall roll him up majority of 600,
or even 1000 votes, and at least a hundred
more than we could for any other man.
Mr.. Thomas remarks were received with
loud applause.
Hon. Nathan Webb seconded the nomina-
ton OF Mr.. Senter. He held it the right of
every gentleman to frankly state his obiec-
lions to any candidate, and that no man had
any right to complain of honest criticism.
No man has a claim, as of right, to our suf-
tt 81
be most useful. He believed in the liberty of
the peoples choice. He did not believe in
mere usage. He believed it difficult, when
important responsibilities are to rest upon a
man to pick out a candidate acceptable to
everybody. He thought such utterances as
that of Mr.. Burrage not the thing to say to
convention OF gentlemen who surely ought to
know who to choose on such an occasion. Un-
der other circumstances the speaker said he
would cheerfully vote for Mr.. Baxter. I
should hardly refuse to vote for any regular
caucus nomination. Mr.. Webb said he ha
heard intimations, even calumnies, uttered
against Mr.. Senter. Such reports came from
srumblers. If Mr. Senter was good enough to
be elected a member of the Board of Alder
men, and to many places of trust in the city,
advance adequate reasons against him, we do
him injury and we hurt his friends.
Col. Dow said he had shown the letter of
MIR. Burrage to Mr.. Senter and been requested
Nv that gentleman to lay it before the conven-
ton.
Hon. H. Fl. Burgess said he agreed with
Mr.. Cleaves that we have come here to act
not only for ourselves but for the party. The
party, as party, is opposed to Mr. Senter's
nomination, and in his section of the city Mr.
Baxter would poll double the number of votes
He knew nothing against Mr.. Senter and had
respect for him, but when party Of gentle-
men ask candidate to withdraw because he
is not favorite he thought he ought to con-
slider the matter seriously. He agreed with
Mr.. Thomas it was advisable to pou as large a
vote as possible, but he didn't believe Mr.
Senter could get as large vote as Mr.. Baxter
Mr.. Hart moved an informal ballot, provided
ali the gentlemen had expressed their opinion
who so desired.
Mr.. Thomas moved that ballots be taken bv
rising. Messrs. Webb and Burgess opposed and
Mr.. Thomis Withdrew the motion. The in
formal ballot stood:
Whole number of votes. -.
Necessary to a choice ........ ...........25
William Senter had. -. ..................33
James 2. Baxter had.... :. ...... 16
On motion of Mr.. Clarence Hale the inform
al vote was made formal, and on motion of
Mr.. Corey the nomination was made unani-
nous. and the convention adjourned! The
meeting was most harmonious and best of feel
ing prevailed.
Mr.. Baxter was not a candidate for Mayor.
The committee, consisting of the chairman
and secretary, who were appointed to wait
upon Mr.. Senter and inform him of his nomi-
nation, attended forthwith to that duty. Mr..
Senter in few we'll chosen and fitting re-
marks accepted the nomination, declaring that
If the same was ratified by the peopl7, he
would give to the city and the varied interests
a most thorough and careful attention and no
effort of his should be wanting or withheld to
meet and merit the appreciation of his fellow
citizens.
Tenth Annual Drill and Ball of the Port
land Cadets.
This drill and ball will be given compliment
airy to the honorary members, who, having re-
tired from active service, still retain their in
terest in the welfare of the company, and it is