The Portland daily press., 1884-09-04
The First District.

1t seems that the Democrats in Maine have
singled out Thomas B. Reed, the Republican
candidate for Congress in the First District, as
the man whom they will spare no efforts to de-
feat. Why do they do this? Because those
outside the State as well as those in it regard
Mr.. Reed as the most conspicuous man in the
present House on the Republican side and the
one who always meets Democratic leader on
the floor in an encounter only to overthrow
him. Said General Hawley, in referring to
this matter: "Mr. Reed is one Of those men in
the House whom you want on your side and
whom you dread if opposed to you. In any
encounter he Is not only gladiator, but a
champion. Many men make good Represen-
tatives, but there are few men in this country
80 well fitted to champion party or cause
in hot battle as Mr.. Reed. His loss to the
Republicans would be almost irreparable 'The
testimony is repeated by as many prominent
Senators and Representatives as one can see.
There is, therefore, every reason why Demo-
Gratis should oppose Mr.. Reed and why the
party managers should raise money to insure
his defeat. They would get rid of him because
he is the ablest and most dauntless of Repub-
lican leaders in the House. He is an uncom-
promising Republican, which is a reason why
Democrats will and should oppose him, But
we are told that some Republicans will do
their UTMOST to defeat Mr.. Reed. We can
scarcely DeleV6 Tue report because the TACT
that he is SO useful and conspicuous Repubi-
can appears to US q sufficient reason why he
hould receive the enthusiastic support of every
Republican voter. No man assails Mr., Reed
because he is not faithfal to his duties. He is
always at his post. No one complains that he
has not been an effective man and careful of
the general interests of his constituents. What
then? He has made mistake about postmast-
ers and tidewaiters. No one claims that he
has recommended an unfit man for such posi-
tions. He has simply recommended the
wrong man; and so, we are told, a mum Der of
voters calling themselves Republicans are go
ing to join the Democrats to defeat him This
is simply puerile.
We urge the Republicans of the First Maine
District to be manly and consistent about this
matter, and not to vote against the most con-
spicuous man in the present House, unless
they have better reason than a milf about
postmaster or a tidewaiter.
Lewiston Journal.1
very important reason why every Republi-
can in the First Congressional District should
forget personal differences and vote for Mr..
Reed is the fact that the Democracy of Maine
are concentrating their whole strength againat
Reed, and are supplied with funds from their
national committee to help beat him. The
Democrats do not hope to defeat Gov. Robie.
They do hope to defeat Mr.. Reed. Why? Let
every Republican ask himself this question:
Why? Because they fear him more than any
other man in the House; because the loss of
his ability and championship would be more
serious blow to Republicanism and the Repub-
ican protective policy than the defeat of any
other representative. Does not every Repub-
lican see herein a reason for doing his utmost
to disappoint the Democracy?