Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1882-04-04
STATE POLITICS.
THE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE FOR GOV
ERNoR.

A Monson man writes to the Boston
Commonwealth, over the signature -.
+. s." a gossipy and readable letter con-
cerning politics in Maine and the republi-
can nomination for Governor, from which
we subjoin some extracts. Hispresentation
of the claims of Portland to the nomina-
ton will commend itself to the Republi-
cans 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 "claims"
to the candidacy which ought not to be
ignored if they should present an accept
able candidate. Portland has not re.
ceived the honor since 1856, when Sam
uel Wells was Governor. For sixty.one
years, or since Maine became a State,
Portland has furnished only two chief
magistrates, and they served in all only
part of two years. Enoch Lincoln was
a resident Of Portland when he was in
augurated Governor, in 1927, but died
in office and the acting Governor for the
remainder of the year was Nathan Cutler
of Pennington. Samuel Wells of Port
land was Governor for the year 1856.
Other cities have supplied the State with
Executive heads" numerically as follows ::
Bath, one William King the first Gov
ernor of Maine Bangor, four-William
ID. Williamson, Edward Kent, Hannibal
Hamlin. Harris NJ Plaisted; Saco, one
John Fairfield; Belfast, two-Hugh
J. Anderson and William G. Crosby /;
Augusta, four-Joseph NJ. Williams,
Lot NJ. Morrill,, Samuel Coney, Selden
Connor; Lewiston, two-Nelson Ding
ley, Jr., and Alonzo Garcelon Hallow-
ell, one-John Hubbard. During the
same time ten country villages and towns
have had this honor bestowed upon
them.
In 1879, when Daniel +. Davis receiv-
ed The nomination. the Portland delega,
,ion presented the name Of W. w.
Thomas, Jr, and lie received large and
respectable following against Eugene
Hale-at first the leading candidate.
Mr.. Thomas is a native of Portland, and
graduated at Bowdoin College in 1860.
In 1862 be was sent TO Constantinop.e
as vice consul general and was soon after
appointed acting consul at Galatz, in the
principality of Moldavia, and received
special thanks from the State department
for important services rendered. In 1868
he was promoted to be full consul at Got
tenburg, Sweden, which position he filled
until the close of 1865. When the State
department at Washing ton accepted his
resignation it expressed its high apprecia-
tion Of his conduct as public officer.
He has been practising attorney since
1866. In 1869 he was one of the COM
missioners on the settlement of the pub
lie lands Of our State. In 1870, as COM
missioner Of immigration of Maine, he
sailed TO Sweden, recruited and organized
q colony, returned to Maine and founded
the present hourishing town of New Swe-
den, 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 convention there is no doubt but
it would received with favor.
The Portland Adrertiser adds:
"Mr. Hale was not at first the leading
candidate for Governor in the Republican
convention of 1879, as stated by the
Monson correspondent of the Boston
Commonwealth. Mr.. Thomas was the
leading candidate On the frat ballot.