Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-08-23
From the Lewieton 10 rnal-
The Independent Temperance
Action.

uC 1nslOROANAOnN
Action
The action OF the two conventions at
Portland on Thursday. in condemning Gov
ernor Davis on temperance grounds, and
nominating Joshua X. Osgood of Gardiner
as an independent candidate tor governor,
does not represent one prohibitionist out
of fifty in this State. 1t was the action OF
not more than ten temperance repubii-
cans out OF the more than $1,000 in the
State; of about thirty Temperance reform
ers who have usually voted the demo-
cratic ticket, several of whom last year
voted for Governor Davis: and about
thirty fusion politicians. many OF whom
appeared in Temperance convention for
the first time, who intend to vote for
Plaisted in any event, and who are urging
on and aiding this movement as their last
hope to secure fusion success. The great
body of the temperance men of the State,
observing that the movers in the scheme
had arranged to nominate gubernatorial
candidate in any event, did not think it
worth the while to go to Portland to vote
against it in the morning meeting to which
they would have been admitted, and con-
cluded to stay at home. A few men like
ex-Governors A. P. Morrill, and Perham,
and Revs. John Allen, ID. b. Randall, K.
l.. Howard and others-veterans in the
amt to
test against movement in the name of
temperance, whose influence would tend
to help into power a party which had al
ways opposed prohibition and temper
ance, and which is at this very hour on
trial for a wicked attempt to overthrow
the ballot box.
No unprejudiced temperance republican
could be present at these meetings, and OBJ
serve the interest manifested by ex-Coun-
cillor Chase, ex-Librarian Stacy, senate
rial candidate Eaton and other fusion
leaders in bringing about the result
reached, without having his eyes opened
to the fact that the contingent leaders
are looking to this so-called temperance
movement to take enough votes from the
republican ticket to save them from the
condemnation which awaits them.
These contingent apostles will find
themselves wofully disappointed when the
votes are counted. There are some tenn
perance republicans who honestly think
there is cause for complaint; but very
few who are disposed to vote so as to ac-
commodate Cap'n Chase and the fusion
lists; and by the day of election the
most of these will see the democratic
milk in the cocoanut, and decline to give
half a vote to Plaisted by casting it for an
Independent candidate. These men are
already seeing that either the republican
or the fusion ticket is to be elected, and
are asking themselves, what have temper
ance men to hope for in fusion success?
Many are beginning to ask whether it is
Just the thing to turn out party because
in few cities in the State, where the tenn
perance sentiment is weak, the law is not
well enforced, when it is well enforced in
more than three fourths of the State, and
to bring into power party which would
not enforce prohibition at all, and which
is even in favor of license.
We predict, therefore, that this indepen-
dent temperance movement, originating,
it may be conceded, in the purest motives,
but industriously nursed by fusion leaders
to further their partisan ends to the detri-
ment of temperance, will simply result in
catching the votes of some of temperance
reformers of democratic proclivties. while
temperance republicans will vote the re-
publican ticket almost solidly, and the fu-
sion politicians who shouted tor an indie
pendent nomination will slyly east their
ballots for the fusion candidates.