The Portland daily press., 1883-09-18
Massachusetts.

The Democratic candidate for Governor of
Massachusetts has been nominated in ad-
vance. When Governor Butler delivered his
inaugural address he said tlat he did nor ex-
pect or intend to be candidate for the office
again. That was CANNON, or, if it was not,
events have been stronger than his purpose.
he is the present boss of the Dem ocratic
party which obediently obeys every indica-
ton of his will, and would be hopeless of
any success without him. As it is, Butler
has succeeded in eectng only himself ON
the Democratic ticket. The Democrats can
help him, but be cannot help them to any
greater success than his personal triumph.
He must be their candidate himself or they
may as well have none. They do not ex-
pect to elect anybody else; but they greatly
eojoy the credit of making Massachu-
sets Democratic, which the election of
Butler enables them to claim.
General Butler is ambitious of higher
honors. He wishes to be the Democratic
candidate for President. He cannot be
unless he demonstrates that his election last
9Cfh was NV all aSSANAt, bAN +" VI iNAhPAA
which he can repeat. In other words, he
needs to show TO the country that the
Republican support which he had last year
clings 10 him, and that he can be expected,
if nominated, to reinforce the Democratic
party by Republican votes, He had to run
or drop out of politics. In this dilemma he
decided to run, and when his decision was
known the Democratic convention was
called The only work 1t has to do is to
regist his wish as to the platform his
associates on the ticket. The convention
will meet for this purpose in Springfield
next week.
The Republican State Convention will! be
held in Boston tomorrow Y. No convention
ever assembled in the State less en-
barrassed by pledges than this one will be.
Everywhere the people have selected their
ablest men as delegates and given them
the fullest discretion. The convention
will be grand council of the party and
there is n reason to doubt that it will act
wisely and that the determination of the
majority will be cheerfully acquiesced in by
all. Although many candidates have been
mentioned and their claims debated, the
discussion for the most part has been con-
Quoted in the best spirit. Two of the gen.
tlemen who had been considered eligible,
Judge Devens and EX-Governor Talbot an
nounced that they would not accept. The
field has been reduced to two, Congressman
George T.. Robinson and Hon. Henry l..
Pierce. From the known preferences of
delegates chosen Mr.. Pierce seems likely to
be selected to lead the party; but consuta-
ton may change the minds of his friends as
to the wisdom of nominating him. That
man will be taken who, under the circum-
stances, seems likely to rally the most voters
TO the Republican standard. Neither of the
prominent candidates has made or allowed
his friends to make an effort to secure dele
gates pledged to his support. Mr. Pierce
has for several years considered himself out
of active politics and will accept a nomina-
ton only if it appears to be plain duty.
Mr. Robinson is rising member of Con-
gress and is SO well satisfied with his posi-
ton and opportunities that he has no wish
to change them. There has been no organ
ization, no machine, working to compass
the nomination of any candidate OF the de-
feat of any. The State Committee has de-
voted its energy to the proper work of a
committee leaving the selection of candi-
dates for office to the representatives of the
Republican voters chosen for that purpose.
The conditions are all favorable to har-
monious and earnest campaign, and there is
a reasonable confidence that victory will
crown their labors and the State be re-
deemed from Butlerism.