The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1882-06-15
GLewiston Journal.l

| It qgas THE convention--the most harmonious
and perhaps the largest and most representa-
| tive State convention ever held In Maine. The
sole quest of the delegates who gathered in
| large numbers in Portland, on Monday and
| who conferred dispassonately and calmly Tor
many hours preceding the call to order by SEN
ator Frye, was-"Show us the best man, show
us the man whom the masses of the Republican
party want, and we will make him our standard
bearer" Never did convention of delegates,
fresh from the people, assemble, more thor
oughly disposed to regard the popular choice
and more completely uninfuenced by selfish
and local considerations. If at times in the
past this or that has been said about rings and
cliques, in this convention no whisper of that
quality was heard. There was but one aim
on the part of the convention and that was TO
act for the commonwealth.
On the question which, hundred times, was
raised among the knots of delegates who can
yassed the issue of the standard bearer, nnan-
unity of sentiment could not be expected. The
fact that opinion was SO evenly divided be-
tween the claim of r.Robie and OF Mr.. Thom
as. was high compliment to both gentlemen.
It was another and more significant express
sion that in the canvass and in the heat OF the
convention not one word was SAID III impeach-
ment of the political or personal record OF eltn-
er. Both gentlemen were conceded to De emin-
emily fitted bv experience and by character for
the executive chair. Conspicuous as this trle-
ute and kindly feeling were in the canvass That
preceded the convention, on the hoor OF Clty
Hall at Portland, on Tuesday, the generous
and catholic spirit in which the issue OF the
candidacy had been discussed, was exempiihed
under circumstances which commanded uni
versal remark and felicitation. They who de-
clare that political life and political contests IN
this generation are bitter or Dlgoted, shouia
compare the spirit of Tuesday sfconvention and
of the canvass that led up to it,with that OF SIM
liar contests a quarter century ago.
One thing is gratifying-that after thor
oughgoing canvas of the State in behalf OF TWO
candidates for the nomination, the convention
settled the question in the form in which it was
raised before the people. The dark horse" is
product of deadlock in which candidates
come more or less in quartettes. But when
there are but two candidates. the dark horse"
naturally ceases to be necessary or re- asona-
be
Another feature of the convention which IS
noteworthy, was the ready acquiescence OF the
almost-majority in the will OF the majority.
Col. Robbie received 98 votes more than Mr.
Thomas in a cast OF 1927 ballots, and was nom
mated. Hardly had the nomination been de-
clared when Mr.. Strout of Portland, who pre-
sented Mr. Thomas name to the convention,
arose and proposed to make nomination unani-
NOUS. This might be called routine, but no
man who looked into the faces of the delegates
as they unanimously arose and certified their
endorsement of the nominee, would SO regard
it. Cumberland, York and Oxford shook hands
with the rest of the State, and agreed we have
a good candidate, and we will elect him. There
was no sulking.
Another significant feature of the convention
already limited at, needs to be emphasized-its
representative character. 1t was not conven-
ton packed by non-residents, or full of dele
gates labeled by somebody 1t was not con-
vention of class or of clique, but it repre-
sented actual and widespread constituencies
alive to the disgrace sustained to the State OF
Maine under the fusion regime. 1t was signih-
cant that bona Jide delegates came from Aroos-
took as fully as from Cumberland and that the
rural sections of the State were as fully repre-
sented as the more populous counties.
convention thus made up will represent
the State, and in this case, we have no ques-
ton, it has nominated the next Governor OF
Maine.
Col. Robbie is man of culture, and united
with it has practical knowledge of the bush
ness interests of the State, and is ell versed
in public affairs. He is a man of the people
and known in all parts of the State. His hon.
orable public career, business integrity, and
private life all unite to make him such a man
as the people delight to honor. With such
man for their standard bearer the Republican
party now have no fear of the result OF
the fall election. With diligent, enthusiastic
work COL Frederick Robbie will be elected the
next Governor of Maine by at least 1O,Coo
plurality.