Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1882-06-08
Local Claims in Politics.
PENoBscor. June 5. 1882.

LNhbHAbif $NHt ~ 1909.
Nr. Editor 81 read in the last issue Of
the AMERICAN an article under tie caption
The Republican Candidate for Governor"
taken from the PoritaRd Press. presenting
the claim of Portland to the candidate for
Governor. | have always looked upon the
question Of locality as thin and shadow
ground for political prcfermrn,, except on
The principle Of rightiul representation. II
appears to me like the crs Of the hungry
politician. rather than the demand Of the
liberal and independent spirit Of the people
who are generally best satisfied With an in
dependent candidate OF broad sympathies,
uutrammeed by political affiliations.
The question Of locality may have some
weight IN a political convention composed
chiefly of politicians who have political
axe, and hatchets TO grind, but with the
great body of the people outside 1t viii have
bat n,Ile influence
No speaker would 10 into the canvass
and urge that ". ". Thomas. Jr. ough, to b s..
elected Governor Of Name. because he is d
resident of Portland. although Portland mas
furnished the country with a list Of spark
i.aS ANA honarcd names. The Governor
Is go oe elected by the people aud for the
'Af anu la'fA ~ kltE ~ ltAaAl 4ltkiAtllAN tl
sHs section OF the State nor for IT. special
ur1uldug. nor tor the political advance
uIent OF its citizens. The people want
candidate who best represents them. aud is
most entitled 10 their confidence and sup
port. and they care little whether he comes
from populous city or a country town.
or course towns feel pride in seeing their
citizens honorea with political positions. hat
aas effort 20 press locality a. a potent con
s.derdtIon for the candidacy of ans ndiyid-
ual for office either betrays the weakness of
the candidate. or tends 10 lower HIM IN the
eyes Of the public.
How much worthier the pride OF q town
10 produce men so prominent for character
and ability tina, they ~iIi be sought for pub
lie office in spite Of their location.
There l. no constitutional law. no princi-
pie OF common right in harmony with the
genius Of our government nor ans law aris-
M from the nature Of circumstances, by
which this question Of locality can be Justly
regulated. and It seems % me much better
20 present candidate, solely on their merits.
than bolster them by ground so unieuabie.
Mr. Thomas mal, OF NAV not Tx, the htte,t
man IN the Republican party IN the State for
the guberua'onal nomination.
lie Is undoubtedly a man OF great energy
and an executive officer %! no mean ability.
\ member Of the Legislature m - ! re-
member hlm Is prcs.dias officer. thorough
ly familiar with parliamentary iaw. and re-
marAahl, rapid IN the dispatch Of business.
KNOW nothing against HI, private oharac-
ter or public record. Bat If be ., 4 strong
candidate lei HIM stand IN his ovn strength.
" "a oh,
g cover the ,atre State. and clean enough
10 stand the closest scrutiny and ANALYSIS.
We want one that shat. b, the embodiment
nf che Progressive na..ica. tendencies ut the
tunes. ,Hat % roo independent and ioiis %
character 90 be-, fur an office :ha; j. pledged
% no board ut officers and feel, b3Ind b,
al pu.f.ea. ohsgaaaa-wao j, Identified
With a.. 'ac great mora. and material inter-
es;s II our c1aUtr, d free. independent.
o.caT-hea4cd citizen
There have been times when narrow men
Wcrr strong ,and!da;cs when 4 man zeal
uus.S Identified V!th some crta, issue before
the country, va. tie strongest candidate that
cog4d be presented tlt nua we van; cam
lldate % hrua4er 'lpe. tina; Wll appcA. 30
a.. Glasses and o.. interests. II Mr. Thomas
i.i- the Bob! .r' "a, nAt ham. but .e' "a, CON
,ca'.au make ua mistake .u the matter.
Ne must have o candidate that 'a, uyra-
site pafiie, can't AL. and ONE that Ral lee
acceptable ia all branches Of the Republic .
can party and uue uu whom al. can eatag- .
,ia>'l-a.-y unite. B-' ha~ about Portland,
claim 900 the gra4ud ~ locality
Suppo>I1- the County of Hancock sanl.d .
pai 40 : claim 90 the ground Of locality
against the county % Cumberland how -