The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1880-11-27

and art as well as in politics, and has mas
sive eloluence which has made him very eff
fective on the stump in this State and else
where and has drawn to him the wide admira-
tlon OF men. But the condition OF thing
which confronts Mr.. Reed is that he Is Repre-
sentative-elent from district which would
certainly be doubtful with anybody else for
candidate, and his withdrawal from the House
might imperil Republican ascendancy there.
So he promptly meets the obligation which the
situation imposes upon him by sacrificing his
chances for the Senatorship by Withdrawing
from the canvass. This action dsappoints
many of his friends who are not so much i'm
pressed with its necessity as Mr.. Reed while
they cannot help recognizing and approving
the honorable motives which have led him to
the conclusion. They console themselves with
the reflection that he is a young and growing
man, and that his time for advancem ent will
yet come. The withdrawal of Mr. Reed leaves
the contest substantially between the Hon.
Eugene Hale and the Hon. William p. Frye.
Both these gentlemen are so we'll known from
their long Congressional service that descrip-
ton seems unnecessary. Both are highly ,al-
ned by the Republicans OF Maine, and are
deemed worthy of all the bonors to which they
may aspire. Some circumstances seem spec
Tally favorable to Mr.. Hale's candidacy, and
viii! exercise potential influence. His defeat
In the Fifth District two years ago by the
strange uprising of the Greenback superstition
left him out of public life and deprived Maine
OF very valuable representative at Washing
ton: This gives him some advantage in the race
with Mr., Frye, whoisstill in the House, and
would be succeeded in his district by much
weaker man. By choice of Mr.. Hale Maine would
have the services of both in the national Leg
lslature. Furthermore, in the trying scenes Of
last Winters attempted count-out at Augusta,
Mr.. Hale, who was a member of the State
House OF Representatives, stood as the leader
OF the Republicans, and the good outcome Of
that bad business was due in considerable
measure to his courage, ability and parliamen-
tary experience. He thus won the confidence
and affection of Republicans, who feel very
much disposed to reward him for his eminent
services by the deserved honor of the Senator
snlp; otli further, 1t is urged that the loss Of
the Fourth and Fifth Districts leaves no Re-
publican Representative in Congress east OF
the Penobscot river, and but ope-Senator
Hamlin-east of the Kennebec. STILL with all
these advantages, Mr.. Hale's election cannot
De falrly regarded as certain. Mr.. Frye is .
very formidable antagonist, and has great
and enthusiastic force of supporters. He is an
aDle and popular man, and will show large
strength in the Legislature.
Ihere will be few votes given for others
tnan tnese two. Several gentlemen are men.
tioued by themselves or their friends as can
didates. Among them are the Hon. Lot M.
Morrill,; Gov. Davis, Gen. Chamberlain, Capt
Boutelle, the Hon. F, A. Pike, and one or two
others. None of these seems likely to have
much strength, but they may possibly divert
enough votes to prevent the choice of either Of
the two leading candidates. In this case some
people think the venerable Senator Hamlin,
who declines to be an active candidate for his
own succession, probable compromise candi-
date. 1t is assumed that he will accept the
position offered him, though no utteranee or
act OF his indicates such disposition. On the
Mr.. Hale or Mr.. Frye will be chosen on the
first ballot, with the chances somewhat in ia
vor of Mr. Hale