The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1880-05-18
Fusion.
THE HISTORY OF THE INTRIGUE THAT
LED TO THE CALL FOR THE TWO
HEADED CONVENTION.
The Democratic Kickers Propose to Bolt.
BANGOR, Nav 16.

The Democratic Kickers Propose to Bolt.
BANGOR, May 16.
The joint conventions advertised to appear
here the 31st will attract nearly as much at
ton as would Barnum's circus. Though not
held under one canvass, the same ticket will
admit to both. In one respect the show will
discount Barnum's. 1t will have on exhibit
ton the only and original Fogg- Horn.
The manner in which the proposed "fuson''
movement was worked up to its present con-
dltion isa little curious. To begin with the
masses of the two parties are standing about
in the same relation to each other as did the
honest gentleman to the lady of whom ne said
There was little love between us at the COM
mencement, and it pleased heaven to decrease
it on further acquaintance" The contingent
operation is heavy weight that must be car
RED by both the Greelback and Democratic
party; for il the Greenbackers have Fogg, have
not the Democrats the late "second Jackson
Gov Garcelon and your own townsman Cap'n
Chase?
When Garcelon and company found the
time approaching for the holding of the an
nual State conventions they suddenly woke
up to the fact that they ought to be 'svindi
Gated" Fogg was Of the opinion that he
could tind'his 'vndication' in the shape of a
nomination for Congress, and Garcelon wanted
his to take the form of an election as delegate
at large to the Democratic National Conven-
ton. Filled with this idea the Ex-Governor
and the four councillors went to Portland to
hold conference, Garcelon giving as an ex-
cuse that he wanted to see the Hon. Bion
Bradbury to find out how much he charged for
legal advice given to the Governor and Coun-
Gil. While in that city Garcelon and Fogg sug-
gested the name of Capn Chase for Governor
and Garcelon announced his intention of
giving to the public his side of the ''counting-
OUT operation. The ex-officials met with
cold reception. The Democratic leaders of
your city roundly told the Ex-Governor that
they wanted nothing to do with him, that the
party could not afford to undertake his "yind-
cation" and they are also said to have de-
clined to even so much as think of Cap'n
Chase as possible candidate for Governor.
few days later there was conference of
Democratic leaders at the Falmouth Hotel
when the matter of Fusion was very fully dis
cussed, and it was voted not to fuse This
meeting was attended by nearly every men,
Der OF the Democratic State committee and
also by many of your local Democratic politi-
cans On motion OF very distinguished
Democratic leader it was voted to hold a con-
ventlon for the choice of delegates to the
Democratic National Convention at Portland
June list, to there elect delegates and to leave
them unlnstructed, the understanding being
that Tilden should be voted for on the first
and second ballots, and Gen. Hancock sup
ported If it should become evident that Tilden
could not be nominated. Various gentlemen
among whom were Col. John NJ Adams of the
Argus, Col. l.. D. NJ Sweat, the Hon. Bion
Bradbury, q. f. SWEET and General S, J.
Anderson were mentioned as possible dele
gates. 1t was then voted not to hold the
Democratic State Convention for the nomina-
ton of Governor till after the holding of the
National Convention, when it was suggested
that the convention should meet and nominate
one of the old time leaders. ex-senator Brad
bury being suggested. 1t was further sug-
gested, and to all practical purposes voted that
the State Convention when it did meet should
adopt no platform of its own, but should con-
tent itself with re-affirming and re-adopting
the platform of the National Convention.
This was one week. The next Fogg. Chase
and Others met and talked the matter over.
Major Folsom of Oldtown also pressed his
claims, and it was limited that ex-Deacon E.
H. Cove and the "Hon.'' P A. Sawyer would
IKE the nomination, and that the Greenback
State convention would be apt to be crowded
with candidates. Fogg suggested that the two
parties fuse" and it is said to Cap'n Chase is
due the idea of holding the two conventions in
different cities and then, as Scion Chase saws.
run 'em by lightning" Garcelon, who had
been sulking at Lewiston since his rebuff at
Portland, was consulted, and was assured
that he should be "vindicated," and that the
campaign should be run on State issues only,
or mainly
The two committee meetings" that follow
ed enabled the leaders to fully develop their
plans, except that all the ex-officials, except
perhaps ex-Deacon Cove of Bddeford, were
sat down on. ,Soon Chase opposed fusion, and
was beaten-in the committee the friends
of Gen. HI. M. Plaisted presented his name,
which was received with favor i'm the Portland
meeting, but not outside
The Portland meeting that sat with closed
doors, only to be given away" by Scion Chase,
who would not keep still, and by Frank M.
Fogg, who could not, was no sooner over than
a strong disposition to 'kick" was manifested
among the rank and file. The Democrats in
sisted that Plaisted would never do: that as
one Democratic leader of Portland put it, che
hasn't drop of Democratic blood in his
VEINS" and the Greenbackers wanted a
straight" nomination. Fegg was for 'the
old hero "Cap'n Chase or the Oldtown COM
mander, Major Falsom, while "Uncle Solon''
was for any of the old liners. John NJ Todd
and the New Era-Leader of your city were in
voked to aid Plaisted's failing cause, and the
venerable Todd and Mr.. R. NJ Springer Tour
Bangor correspondent is reminded that he is
not giving the correct title of the distinguish
ed head of the B. P. L. order He should have
written it Col. r. M. Springer, editor of the
New Era-Leader and Sunday New Era and
President OF the Maine State Circle B. P IL
rushed in to save the General.
A week ago Friday the feeling grew so
strong against Fusion that an attempt was
made to strengthen the movement, and meet
ings OF prominent Democrats and Greenback-
ers were held at Portland, Bddeford, Angus
ia, Bangor and Lewiston. Two measures were
proposed:
First, that the Democratic State Convention
be held at the same time and place as the
Greenback Convention, which was adopted:
and, second, that as soon as the "yindicating
pamphlet was published that the Democratic
leaders throughout the State should unite in
an address to the Democracy of Maine endors-
ing the course of Governor Garcelon and his
Council and advocating fusion at Bangor.
This idea (also it is understood originated by
Fogg) did not take WE'LL and while it is proba-
pie that something of the kind will appear
TINS week, 1t Will not be likely to be very nu-
merously signed. A proposition that the same
gentlemen should unite in recommending the
nomination of General Plaisted was even more
coldy received, and already plans are being
laid to defeat the fusion movement in the
Democratic Convention, and to nominate ex-
Senator Bradbury for Governor If, however,
the fusion movement is carried through sue
cessfully the following programme will be car
red out:
well known Democrat of Portland will
make speech denouncing fusion and will
then with the rest of the delegates of the
same way of thinking, Withdraw from the
Convention.
Straight Democratic Convention to
nominate candidate for Governor on hard
money and local option platform will be called
to meet in Portland Immediately after the adj
iournment of the Democratic National Con-
ton.
may add that before Fogg made his pro-
posal that the two parties unite on one candi-
date the call for a Democratic State Conven-
ton to elect delegates to the National Conven-
ton only was written out and sent to the Dem
ocratic papers of the State.
Personal.
A. A. Strout, and family, are at the Rangely
Lakes.