The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1882-03-17
State Politics.
The Republican Candidate for Governor.

A Monson man writes to the Boston Com
monwealth, over the signature ~. f. S.,
gosspy and readable letter concerning politics
In Maine and the Republican nomination for
Governor, from which we subjoin some ex-
tracts His presentation of the claims of Port
land to the nomination will commend itself to
the Republicans of this city as just and timely:
There Is, OF course, more or less gossip and
speculation in Republican circles as to who the
next gubernatorial candidate will be. 1t is
generally conceded that the city of Portland
has valid sclaims" to the candidacy which
ought not to be ignored If they should present
an acceptable candidate. Portland has not re-
ceiyed that honor since 1856, when Samuel
Wells was Governor. For sixty-one years. or
since Maine became q State, Portland has fur
nished only two chief magistrates, aud they
served in all only part OF two years. Enoch
Lincoln was a resident OF Portland when he
was inaugurated Governor, in 1877, but died in
office; and the acting Governor for the remain
der of the year was Nathan Cutler of Farming
ton. Samuel Wells of Portland was Governor
for the year 1856 Other cities have supplied
the State with Executive heads" numerically
as follows: Bath, one-William King (the
first Governor of Maine); Bangor, four-Wil-
liam d. Williamson, Edward Kent, Hannibal
Hamlin, Harris M. Plasted; Saco, one--John
Fairfield; Belfast two-Hugh j. Anderson
ana w Wllllam OruSuyt Augustds
seph M. Williams, Lot M. Morrill,, Samuel
Coney, Salden Connor; Lewiston, two--Ne elson
Dingley, Jr, and Alonzo Garcelon; Hallowell,
one-John Hubbard. During the same time
ten country villages and towns have had this
honor bestowed upon them.
In 1879, when Daniel F. Davis received the
nomination, the Portland delegation presented
the name of W. w. Thomas, Jr, and he re-
ceived large and respectable following against
Eugene Hale-at first the leading candidate
Mr. Thomas is native of Portland, and grad
uated at Bowdoin College in 1860. Iu 1862 he
was sent to Constantinople as vice-consul gen.
eral, and was soon after appointed acting con-
sui at Galatz in the principality of Moldavia,
and received special thanks from the State de-
partment for important services rendered In
1868 he was promoted to be full consul at Got.
tenburg, Sweden, which position he filled un-
til the close OF 1865. When the State depart
ment at Washington accepted his resignation
it expressed its high appreciation of his con-
duct as public officer. He has been prac-
tising attorney since 1866. In 1869 he was one
of the commissioners on the settlement of the
public lands of our State. In 1870, as commits
sioner of immigration of Maine, he sailed to
Sweden, recruited and organized a scolony, re-
turned to Maine and founded the present -four
ishing town Of New Sweden, in Aroostook
county. He has also served in the Legislature
with marked ability, and in 1874 was one of
the most accomplished and efficient Speakers
Of the House of Representatives that Maine
has ever had Should the Republicans of his
city again present his name to the ensuing con-
vention there is no doubt but 1t would be re-
ceived with favor.