Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-06-30
Aailp &snntbef Journal.
Second District Greenback Con-
ventiOn.

vCUG1Ons
The action Of the gteenback convention.
held at Lewiston Tuesday to nominate a
candidate for Congress for the Second
District, will not have an inspiring effect
upon the greenbacg party. The old
wheel horses of the party were not there.
Scion Chase was conspicuous by his alb
sence. His name was not mentioned ex-
cept in fault-finding way. The men
who with him wat he'd over and nursed
the party in its infancy have all been COM
PEELED to give way to others who are de-
termined that greenbackism shall be
swallowed up in Democracy.
It is curious to notice how the profess
sions and principles bf the party were set
at naught by the notnination made. For
instance, Mr.. Baldwin Of Connecticut,
who was called upon before the ballotting
Tor speech, declared in his remarks that
it was the solemn dirty of the convention
TO nominate man representing the pro-
ducing class, that Is: farmer, manu-
facturer. or some one representing some
productive industry His remarks were
entirely appropriate: to the party which
processes to better represent the working
class than any other political organization.
But the convention, with his words ringing
in their ears, forthwith went to work and
put in nomination j iawyer, a non-pro-
Queer, man who has been supported by
suits at law, tees, and office holding. and
never produced anything of ap industrial
kind, as understood IN the greGnback vo-
cabulary. since he was born. sThe NOM
ination Of Gilbert seems odd enough after
the remarks of Mr.. Baldwin. who doubt
less has been accustomed to a different
kind of greenbackism in Connecticut from
the article passing in Maine under that
name.
We have not seen the platform, but if
the platform is like the candidate it ought
to read alter this fashion:
Office seeking should be the chief en-
ployment of mankind.
The best men to represent the produc-
ing class in Congress are men who never
produced anything but bills Of cost, mis-
cry and starvation among their clients.
Oppose monopolies when it is expedent
to do so in order to get Office. not other
wise.
Denounce bondholders and national
banks, and whenever bloated bond
holder, or the President or Director of a
national bank is nominated for Governor
or Congressman, be sure 10 make him
pay over literally and turn his coupons to
the best account in defraying the expenses
attendant upon fighting big monopolies
and corrupt party managers.
A platform something after this sort
would fit Judge Gilbert admilably-much
more correctly we presume Than the one
adopted. For ourselves we have no OBJ
jections to lawyers and oflice-holders,
who are necessary and valuable men
in all communities rs far as they
are honorable, honest and faithful in
their business; but if we belonged to a
party protesting 70 be the champion and
representative OF the producing classes.
the foe ..of chronic Office seekers and of
men who have served long terms in office.
we should be as much COMPOUNDED and as
rs indignant as pretty large part of the
greenbackers at the Lewiston convention
were when they found that Judge Gilbert
OF Bath was nominated as the standard
bearer of the greenback party. and walk
out OF its doors never to return.
Hon. NV. Wakefield OF Bath, publishes
letter in the Times, which does him
credit, thanking the republicans OF Saga
dahoc for their support in the late Con-
gressional Convention. His letter closes as
follows: MY labors in the past in behalf
Of the success of the party, have not been
more earnest and cordial than they will
be in tho future. for our nominees. Hon.
Nelson Dingley. ir., is a gentleman of
culture, of high character. large legisla-
tive experience and well qualified to
properly care for. all OF the varied inter-
ests OF our district. The people OF this
Congressional district in point of charac-
ter and intelligence are second to none in
the country. and l am well assured that
they cannot be better represented than by
Mr.. Dingley."
The investigation into the distribution
OF the Government bonds is not complet-
ed, but some of the figures ascertained in
general way are of interest. Mr.. Porter
divides up the registered bonds as follows
New England States, II per cent; Middle
States, 40 per cent; Southern States. 9
per cent; Western States s II per cent
banks and other corporations, IS Ia per
cent. Some of the figures are curious.
For evamn1a Massachusetts with only