The Portland daily press., 1882-09-06
A Case In Point.

The case of Frank q. Stevens as maze up
| by the Advertiser man is very strong one
and lacks only one essential element and that
| is truth.
The idea that the Office of Register of DEEDS
or any other State of county Office could Do
given him or any other man for an indefinite
period of time by 'psrty managers" does not
seem to be consistent with the principle OF law,
justices or civil service reform.
The facts concerning Stevens nomination
are; that he canvassed the county closely ana
on the day of the convention found that the
candidate was likely to be James NJ. Webb,
one legged soldier, patriotic citizen and a
Republican. Webb could have had the nom
inationat that time if he had been willing to
make the promises concerning the clerkship IN
office, which Stevens did make, and which he
did not fulfil, though he might have done SO
had he seen fit. 1t was also fully understood
at that time that Stevens was not to ask for
denomination. That was the nature or the
"invitation' which was given him, and the
way he accepted the nomination" and the as
surance by ''party managers that they would
"keep him ia place" was probaD.s invented
in the interest of civil service reform-after an
energetic personal canvass made by Stevens.
However, Mr.. Stevens has performed the
duties of his office very creditably, having had
but little fault found with him, and that
principally by members of Cumberland bar.
His extravaganza in the purchase of stationery
and its improper, disposal being held in check
by the rules established by the County Com
missioners, there is no reason why ne Should
not be kept in place for life, provided, major
ity of the voters of Cumberland county desire 1t.
The nomination of Mr.. Cram was made by a
full convention of delegates chosen In every
town in the county, who we're net instructed
Nv ftoof on &C
and as the result of no trade or attempted
trade or combination. On the contrary trades
were attempted by Mr. Stevens or his friends,
with at least two of the candidates Tor nomlna-
ton and failed as such trades very properly
should fail Had Mr.. Cram declined to run in
in the convention, Mr. Stevens would not nave
been nominated, as he, Stevens, had solicited
the support of his most influential frlends IN
various parts of the country for a long time
before either of the other named were men-
toned. and still got less than one third of the
votes in the convention. he Jared still worse
in the Greenback convention getting only
seven or eight votes though 1T is SAID an
offer was made to turn over three hundred
Republican votes to Plalsted II Mr.. stevens
could have the nomination for Register OF
Deeds.
Concerning the employment of Mr. Cram to
make the new Ledger Index, it was done in
the interest of economy, as the elaborate plan
of photographipg, etc., proposed py MI. ole-
er work, unnecessary expense So far the
work has been very carefully performed, and
the expense comes very far inside OF an esti-
mate based upon Mr.. Stevens's own statements
Mr.. Cram is not hired by the day, but Tor a
year and it was agreed at the commencement
that he should have vacation in the summer
equal to fourteen working days, provided that
the ork should be carried on without lnter-
mission by the clerks employed, and it may be
safely presumed that the county commission
ers, without the advice of the Advertiser or
any other Fusion advocate, willdischarge MIN
at once if he fails to properly perform the du-
ties assigned him.
Mr.. Cram does not, like Mr.. Stevens, claim
that the office belongs to him, and was much
more surprised to receive the nomination than
he would have been disappointed if he had not
received it; but he expects the support OF the
Republican party, to which he is justly enti-
tied, and if he be elected there is no doubt that
he will make faithful, efficient and accom-
modating officer.