Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-11-14
Rlaine's Test Case.
The PLuMED KNIGHTS SUccEssFCL FIGHT
IN Hrs ANCESTORS HoME.
From Staff Correspondent Of the Phila
delphia Press

From staff Correspondent of the Phla- |
delphia Press.)
CARLISLE, Nov. 10Th. Singular, isn't III
that thi. stronghold of Democracy should have
turned somersault at the time when nearly |
all the republican counties tn the State we're
tumbling in the other direction. Queer that
these solid democrats, who took in their po-
litical faith with their mothers milk, and
have clung to il stubbornly as a Buddhist
priest to his idols would vote for republican
State senator when their party elects gov
ernOr by an overwhelming majority. There
must be- thought !, some strong reason for
such change, and dropped off the car
here to gather the facts about the political
revolution. Mingling with some leading
citizens who had much TO do with it CLEANED
these facts Early this year, and before much
had been said and done in politics, the friends
of James &. Blaine were looking over the
State to find some spot where a distinctive
contest in his behalf could be made, a. test
Of his strength with the masses. They finally
selected the thirty second senatorial district
composed Of the counties Of Adams and Cum
berland. 1t was democratic by POGO major
ity and il would seem, therefore, that it was
rather n singular place to make a test case OF
this kind. There was, however, reason
which far weighed the circumstance of a
democratic majority. This section was the
home of the ancestors of Mr.. Blaine. and the
two counties are still full of traditions con
corning both himself and them The greater
reason was, however, that in this place. the
metropolis Of this senatorial district, there
lives a man who Is one of his most powerful
friends and ardent admirers. His candidacy
alone would be significant and stand as a
great deal for Mr.. Blaine in making such an
issue. Therefore. this district chosen
TO make test of Mr.. Blaine's strength with
the people and his earnest friend, James w.
Bosler, was asked to become the senatorial
candidate for the purpose named. As tor him
self, his quiet habits make the hurly burly OF
politics distasteful to him and his large bust
ness interests naturally stood in the way OF
his entering public life. But his peculiar
relations to the Pumed Knight made him an
all-important factor in the test case the
friends of Mr.. Blaine desired to make before
the people of this State at this election. The
senatorship, IA ii appears from close obser-
walton. was secondary consideration with
both him and his friends from the day the
campaign opened until it closed. He made
little or no canvass but the peop,e dritted to
his support upon the direct issue of Blaine
W.. anti. Blaire and brought about this sur
prlsing result.
Early in the contest the democrats were
not slow to observe this significant feature of
the campaign in this district and ut once
turned their best energies TO keep the mem
bers Of their party in the traces. Through
such astute leaders as Wallace. Randall and
Hensel the district was flooded with personal
letters to democrats urging them to stand by
Wagner. the democratic candidate. They
assured them of the evil effects of electing
Mr.. Bosler from such strong democratic
district and emphasized the fact that such a
v,, rn,,II h, al, tn r. mi
The issue for and against the matchless
leader was thus accepted by the democratic
managers. Mr.. Blaine at once announced
his personal interest in the result of the
struggle his friend making by writing
the following letter;
AUGUSTA. Ne, Oct. "A, 1882.
James ". Bosisr, Esq.
DEAR SIR II I were able to take the stump IL
would give the greatest pleasure TO come to your
district and urge your election ~ .,nator.
In addition TO your eminent fitness for the posi-
ton, I am sure every friend of mine in Cumberland
and Adams will b. ready to give you a cordial and
cheerful support in recognition of the zeal siri
fidelity with which. In past poit cal contests, You
have always maintained my interests. But can
only send my good wishes, and await your election
with confidence. Very sincerely,
JAMES C. BLAINE.
The appearance of this letter in the public
prints left no room for doubt to the pecu
liar character of the canvass in this district
and of Mr.. Blaine's interest in the result
From this date the fight began in earnest and
was carried to the end direct appeal To-
his hold upon Peupsvlvanians. The answer
is more remarkable than the appeal. a. il
shows the temper of the masses toward him.
A senatorial district democratic by 20Oa ma
iority has been revolutonized and Mr. Bosler
elected upon the uneQuvocal issue ABOVE
announced-elected, too, in this avalanch of
democratic victory. The peculiarly and
INN of fhp bpi
made provoked strong opposition within as
well as without the republican party, and the
efforts of Wayne McVeagh and Mr.. james,
the two cabinet officers during Gen. Garteld's
administration who were charged with hos
tiity to Mr.. Blaine were invoked and given
to defeat Mr.. Bosler. Yet with this pressure
inside the party and the democratic efforts
without, he secured most remarkable tri-
umph. Ii would seem that democrats and
republicans alike united not only 20 attest
their respect and confidence for him but to
make manifest the fact that Mr.. Blaine was
powerful in the State of his birth when the
people get an opportunity to speak directly
for him. Naturally, the covert assaults of
these two ex-cabinet officers of the msrtyred
President. inspired small men at home to
personal attacks upon the candidate. and
gave the local democratic papers ammuni-
ton with which they sought to play upon and
arouse the preJudices of their voters.
With all these odds, note the sweeping re-
sult-Bosler carries Carlisle, his home. by
400 majority, and its almost unvarying demo.
cratic majority is something more than 200
One ward in the CITY. which never before
gave republican msjority did so this year
for the senatorial candidate. Adams county,
usually democratic by 700. and Cumberland
good for 1900 almost any year, are both ex-
pected to show republican majority upon
this issue. Truly, it is significant victory,
considering the breadth of the contest. even
should Mr.. Bosler be defeated by the few
votes the democratic candidate now claims
before the official count is made. 1t is not
often that the contest for seat in the State
Senate attracts marked attention outside of
the locality primarily interested, but here is |
one that reaches beyond the limits of the |
State. even into the broad domain of national
pelitics.
A mile from the centre of the town is Mr.. |
bosiers beautiful home, set in a framework !
ut charming scenes. There l found him. in
his private ofhce, located at the farther end
OF the extensive grounds that surround HE
handsome rssidence. He was busy with hi.