The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-10-16
Buffers Meanness.

0oOAOA . 4h4OcbA4l4O05s
When man has outraged righteousness
and honor SO often and so fagrantly as Cen
eIal Butler has 1t is almost rash to say of
any one of his performances that itoutranks
the rest in shamefulness; but we are in
clined to give that bad prominence to his
conduct in the matter of the late insurance
commissioner Hon. Julius L. Clarke Gen.
ersl Butler it may be remembered re-
quested his resignation early in his admin
istration and 1t was put into his hands He
nominated as the successor of Mr.. Clarke,
the party manager Of his campaign. This
person was jeweller who had been con-
nected with insurance business as a local
agent for a Pennsylvania company but
short time and there was naturally doubt
concerning his qualifications for SO impor-
tant place. While the Governors council
were investigating his record, Mr.. Clarke
suddenly abandoned the office, in obedience
to an imperative demand of the Governor,
no satisfactory explanation being given.
Mr.. Plympton was twice rejected
by the council. That the rejec-
ton was not on party grounds appears
from the fact that the nomination of Mr..
Tarbox another Democrat, but man of
more certain character and ability, was at
or.o corf;r,,aa
Mr. clarka retiro5 "a ,,r;vo+e Iifa so,,;,
ooth,nc ue s,aton 10 ,,ar. :, a. 49,,
paign nor made any public or private ex-
preston except to say to all that he was
Ala ~. o,,o ell g.. 49, .,,o.a
known pr,.;, yu.a..-a..s...
General Butler addressing his followers in
fremont Temple spoke as follows:
Well, now 1 never have told ANYBODY why he
didn't fight tapplause), and should not have done
"sxeept mat nave seen pamphlet published
49,. v1''!, ~, pau ~ y sne nepuohcaii COM
naboye susnicion, Now am going to te1, yon
confdentially Qaughter) that if you will look in
Council Record No. so, you will find this entry;
The petition OF julius L. Clarke VINO Is serving
..,,l, ha,,, rrssantad 70 +ho Cono;, III
was recommends. and he was pardoned. And, be-
ing pardoned thief. he was thus fit to be kept in
once by Republican Council. Great applause9
This was all the information youchsafed.
Men who had known MT Clark as an hon.
est and honorable man in every relation OF
life were amazed at trst;. but when the
whole truth became known they were most
amazed at the malignity and perildy OF Cen
eral Butler. The facts are that when
young man Mr.. Clarke was convicted OF
stealing az overcoat and sentenced to Jail.
Persons who knew MN and all the circum-
stances interested themselves to obtain his
pardon. That was nearly fifty years ago.
From that time to the present so far as
known he has led an honorable life. AS
long ago as General Banks was Governor,
the State Auditor, who knew all the cir
cumstances and had assisted him to regain a
good name, make him clerk in his Office
He was SO capable and faithful that he re-
manned many years in subordinate and
confidential positions at the State house.
He was State insurance commissioner, then
State auditor, then insurance commissioner
sgain. In private life he has been without
reproach, deacon in the church where he
lived, auditor of the city, member of the
school committee, leading useful life and
so modest in his Why's that few knew him
who were not brought into business connec-
ton with him.
To further his political projects, Governor
Butler, who overfows with self praise OF
his tenderness to the weak and errine. who
ran over with anxiety lest the true character
n NIT in 1n 1Ixe11.1