The Portland daily press., 1884-03-05

The Eastern Congressional District was
No. Z, from 1920 to 1880, No. 8 from 1880 to
1910, No. 6 from 1910 to 1850, and No. 5
from 1860 to 1870. 1t was first represented
by the Hon. William D. Williamson of Ban
gor, best known as the historian of Maine.
He served one term aud was succeeded by
the Hon. Jeremiah O'Brien of Maehias, who
represented the district eight years and was
followed by the Hon. Leonard Jarvis of
Surry who served six years. Then for one
term the Hon. Joseph c. Noyes, then of
Eastport, but who lived afterwards and died
in Portland, represented it. To him succeed
ed the Hon. Joshua A. Lowell of East Ma
chias who served two terms. He was fol
lowed by the Hon. Shepard Cary of Houlton
who served one term. he was followed by
the Hon. Hezekiah Williams of Castine who
served two terms. Then the Hon. Thomas
j. D. Fuller of Calais served from 1S49 to
1857. The last time Mr.. Fuller was elected
his opponents divided their vote which car
ried him through by a plurality. The only
opponent TO the Democratic party elected
prior to 1855 was the Hon. Joseph G. Noyes
elected in 1887 Wing in consequence of di-
visions in the Democratic party.
In 1865 the Republicans wrested it from
the Democracy, electing the Hon Stephen G.
Foster of Pembroke over the Hon. Arno
Wiswell of Ellsworth. But this was thought
to be tidal wave and the Democrats be-
lieved that in 1858 they had fair chance to
redeem it. They had government Office
holders to aid them with money and work.
They paid no great regard to any cry of re-
form. They were the ms and nothing was
heard against Office holders interfering in
elections.
The Republicans on the contrary talked
Just as the Democrats have for the past
twenty years. The Democrats nominated
the Hon. Bion Bradbury who then resided
at PASSPORT. In ability and personal mag
netism he had no superior in Maine among
the Democracy. AS an organizer, but few
among the many able ones our State has
produced we're superior to him. He neglect
ed none of the details in campaign manage
ment, and to succeed 1t is necessary to look
after small things. He was not idle when
there was political work to be done for his
party. The Democratic party never had in
its ranks more self sacrificing member
than he. His opponent was blest with a
powerful physique and great natural ability.
He had been in both branches of our State
legislature and was the equal of any in re-
pairing his fences. No man could look
after his steers among the farmers better
than he. Washington county men will
readily understand what mean. But Mr..
Foster during his service in Congress had
been smitten with a stroke Of paralysis that
so affected him that he was a mere wreck
Of what he had been. The truth is he
ought not to have been renoninated, but
party usage carried the day and this poor
broken down man was pitted to contend
against one Of our ablest men as well as an
adroit politician. The outlook was this.
Hancock was expected to give 900 majority
for the Republicans; Aroostook to offset this
for the Democrats; Vinalhaven, Islesboro
and North Haven to be about even.
This left the contest to be decided in the
county of Washington, which has been the
theatre of many hot political fight between
different party organizations during the past
fifty years, Il was never anything but close,
aud the parties were marshalled by men I'M
equaled in management. The Republicans
In each county managed their own campaign
through their local committees. But the
whole was under the direction Of the late
Hon. James S. Pike of Calais, well known
In his day as 81. S. Pike of the New York
Tribune,' man who never had an equal in
Maine as a newspaper writer. There have
been able writer's upon political topics sta
toned in Washington, but never have read
anything that approached his letters to the
Bosom Courier and the Tribune. He had
twice unsuccessfully contested this district
as the Wing candidate for Congress, and
came near in 1850 carrying it against great
odds over the late Hon. Thomas J. D. Full
ler He knew every inch of the ground,
and was well calculated to contend with Mr..
Bradbury. How this contest was regarded
by outsiders few letters received by Mr..
Pike in regard to 1t will show:
ORoNo, August 80, 1858.
Ny Dear Sir: We hear that.all is right In
Hancock, but that there is surprising apathy
come from that county says that in many
of the towns literally nothing is being done,
and Republicans are saying, Bradbury is
smart man and will be elected; it is no use
trying to defeat him." have no doubt you
can get Henry Wilson to speak all next week
in the district if you want him. He told me
In July that he would come into Maine If he
should be wanted.
l shall be in Hancock all this week after
to-day. 1 think you should have Hamlin
next week! Yours truly.
|. WASHBNRN, JR,
Us. Pike, Esq, Calais, Me.
PORTLAND, August 30, 1858.
My Dear Pike: If the sixth district de-
ponds on the doubtful voters, and those who
can pay for them will have them, we are
beaten, for the Democrats can spend three
dollars to our one. Hence if your figures
are reliable and include Hancock, the mat
ter is past hope, and we may as well save
what little money we eau raise to pay ax-
penses getting home our voters in this dis
trict. AS yet we have reserved nothing for
ourselves, and the contest here is to be
hard and close one. Your letter has been
sent to Stevens for his opinion as to wbeth-
or it is advisable to make any further effort.
On your statement it does not look 80 to
me. Yours very truly,
". p. FEssENDEN.
J. S. Pike, Esq
PORTLAND, Sept. 5, 1858.
Ny Dear Pike: Stevens has undoubtedly
written you, as he returned from B. on Fri
day and was in some degree successful.
had letter from friend in Albany to
whom wrote, saying that il was too late to
effect much, but he would write you at
once. Gunnison writes me that with lit
tie care the Pembroke, Robbinston, PASSPORT
and Lubec districts may be secured. l
trust all will be done that can be, as we do
not .ook 80 safe in this region as l could
wish. We learn that our adversaries arc
q. making rush upon all the close Republl-
can districts in this quarter, and have some
hopes of checkmating US in the House. 1t
rejoices me to see that your hopes of the
sixth are rising. Our friends in Hancock
speak bravely. Yours always,
W. p. f.
The election came off, and Foster was
saved by the mastery exertions of the Wash
ington county Republicans, aided by their
brethren in other parts Of the district. The
xuorkad how'd ba +ro,o~. - a.