Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-05-21
A MASS MEETING
OF Citizens and Business Men to Express
their Approval of President Ar
thurs Administration.

ness men, called to express their approval OF
the administration of President Arthur and
urge his denomination for second term,
was held tonight in Cooper Union at eight
O'Clock When Cornelius W. Bliss of Bliss,
Fabyn Co. called the meeting to order,
not another person could find standing room
in the ball. Among prominent persons who
occupied seats on the platform were Frederick
s. Winston, Henry Ward Beecher, Benz. H
Bristow, Edward s. Pierrepont, Assistant
Treasurer Acton, Surrogate Rollins, DR..
Agnew, Legrand b. Cannon, Jesse Seligman,
Salem II, Wales. San Sloan, WIN. Dowd,
Parke Goodwin, Henry Clews, John Austin
Stevens, Edward II. Ammidown, Vernon II.
Brown and DR.. S. O. +. Vaneerpoel.
Mr.. Bliss called the meeting to order and
in brief speech stated that the objects for
which it was called andtnished by Introducing
Frederick S. Winston as chairman. Resolu
tions were read by ex-Judge Russell and
adopted, endorsing on the part of the busi-
ness men of New York the administration of
President Arthur, and expressing their de-
siee that he be re-nominated-
Mr.. Park Goodwin was then introduced.
He was independent in politics and as such
was not in favor of changing from good of
ficials to doubtful or bad specimens. Pres-
dent Arthur was in every way worthy of the
trust which his fellow citizens reposed in
him. Mr.. Goodwin closed by saying he had
assurances from several prominent and in
telligent democrats that large number of
that party were prepared to support President
Arthur for a second term unless their party
nominated some such men as Thomas f.
Bayard or Abram S. Hewitt at which the au-
dience fairly boiled over with enthusiasm.
The next speaker was Rev. Henry Ward
Beecher. He said: Chester A. Arthur is a
man who has proved under trying circum-
stances one of the most able presidents the
nation ever had. That he has been the sub
ject of so little criticism is marvel. The
bitterness of the men, whose names should be
invegh (instead of MacVeagh) displayed tow
ard Arthur is nothing to the invective heaped
on Washington, and so as to Jackson, Lin
coin and Grant up to Hayes. II by his acts
any man ever earned denomination Mr.
Arthur deserves his. No steamship COM
pany would discharge captain who had
faithfully piloted ship through many
voyages and employ a new man however
smart he might look, They would keep him
who had proved his worth and why should
we not apply his rule to our president"
Hon. Benz. II. Bristow was introduced.
He said; "The intelligence Of the country is
pretty well united in opinions that a good
government and wise administration are not
- be expected from any but the republican
party. The moderation. wisdom and quiet
dignity of Arthur's administration have done
much for the improvement and consolidation
of the party. Under his administration great
progress has been made in the civil service"
In reply to the letter of Wayne McVeagh, he
said 'If the condition of our postal service
is such that it has become necessary to trans
nit letters of friendly advice through the
public press there is grievous cause of com
plaint | commend the matter to the atten-
ton Of our excellent attorney general, who ]
hope will be able TO correct the abuse with.
out the employment of large number of
lawyers. My friend who has been put to the
inconvenience of rushing into print to give
me points for a speech does not seem to have
quite understood the meeting. 1t was called
by free and Independent voters who have
habit of thinking for themselves and have no
other end in view than public good. l must
decline his invitation to go into the slums of
personal defamation. Events of President
Hayes administration fortunately are no
longer living topics, and we are not here to
lift the veil of oblivion. The so called alli-
ance with Mr.. Malone of Virginia, is mat
ter that came down to the present admins
tration from the past. 1t has its origin in
the Senate. and is understood to have the
approval of the preceding administration, of
which my valued friend was an honorable
and conspicuous member. | know not what
secret bitterness betrayed my friend into
the expression, which ordinarily his good
taste and fine feeling would be first to con-
denim. If Arthur has always been the un-
worthy person my friend describes, l leave
him to justify or excuse his own acts in sup
porting him for vice president, and taking
the Office of first legal adviser to the admin
istration in which Gen. Arthur stood second
by the peoples choice
Speeches were made by several prominent
business men, at the close of which a motion
was adopted that the chairman appoint a
committee of loo to attend the Chicago con-
vention, as representatives of the meeting.