The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-03-21
COLLECTOR Dow's LETTER.
HTs REASONS FOR REsIGNrNG BIS
MEmBERsHsP OF THE REPUB
LAOAN STATE COMMITTEE FULLY
SET FORTH.
ne Favsrs New System of Choosing
Committees.

PORTLAND, March 18th, 1884.
hon. Geo. G. Wing, Chairman of the RepubR-
can State Committee.
Dear Sir-I transmit herewith my resgua-
ton as a member of the State committee, to
take effect on the day Of the assembling of the
Republican State convention, the first oppor-
tunity for ihechoice of my successor.
need not assure you that this step results
from no lack of interest, on my part, in the
principles of the Republican party, or desire to
DO all that properly may to aid in the ap-
preaching campaign. Nor is it without feel
Jugs of regret that saver my committee rea-
lions with gentlemen with whom l have been
so long and so intimately associated; and de-
prive myself of the pleasure of serving under
the leadership of gentleman 30 abundantly
qualified for the position of chairman Of the
State Committee as know you to be.
There are several reasons for my resigna-
tion, and decliDation longer to serve on your
committee, each one-of which, Ia my judg-
ment, is sufficiently strong to justify my &C.
ton; and, to avoid all misunderstanding, de-
sire to trouble you with them.
l. am OF the opinion that it would be more
satisfactory to the party, and therefore, and
Ter other reasons, greatly conducive to a more
efficient organization, if committees having
charge of a campaign shoulolbe selected at the
convention which formally opens the canvass,
Instead OF, as under our present system, at a
convention held two years prior to the election
with special reteredce to which the commit tee
is chosen. l earnestly believe that, if the
next State convention should order a change
Ia this particular, and should be follow ed by
district and county conventions, as they are
held, much advantage will be derived from
the opportunity thus afforded to CONSTITUTES all
our committees of men freshly chosen, and
therefore known to be in full sympathy with
the policy aud the candidates of the party
And am SO much impressed with the import
snce of this change, as a matter of general
party policy, that, we're Influenced by no 9TH
er reasons, | should desire to emphasize my
conviction upon this subject by my resigna-
ton.
Since the last Republican State Conven ton
at which was chosen member of your com
mittee, have been appointed to, and have
assumed the duties of the position of Collector
OF THIS Port. And am not sure that the Re-
publicans of Cumberland county, to whose
confidence and partially owe membership
of many years on the State Committee, would
be willing t. be Represented there by the in
cunbent of a federal office.
The two reasons which have thus far given
would make 1t proper for me to submit to the
State convention the question of my Confined
membership of your committee, if deemed
longer service proper on other grounds.
But the time necessary for the proper dis
charge OF the duties of the official position. 10
which have referred, renders it impossible
for Ine TO give the requisite attention to the
work OF the committee, and this of itself for
bids further service.
While 1 am aware that it is no part OF the
duty of political committee to run eau
Gus or CONTROL convention; and while be.
lieve 1t is rarely the case that such committees
attempt to do anything else than to give ex-
preston and force to the convictions of the
party they represent, the very natural seDsi-
tlveness Of the public, as to any improper
interference, or undue influence, # Federal
officials in their political affairs would render
nv continued service on the committee unde-
sirable
do not wish to be misunderstood on this
point. L Halter myself that the Republicans of
Cumberland county know me too we'll to sus-
pect me OF any disposition, much less attempt
to interfere in their political AFFAIR.". AID l
know them we'll enough to be able to say
that no collector of this port could control
their action, or IN any way influence them,
against their own convictions of what was
right.
Permit me to add that know of nothing
in the law of the land, which prohibits an Of
fiee holder from entertaining positive political
opinions; from giving, at proper times and
places. expression to those opinions through
voice or pen, or purse, from seeking to Civ @
effect to those opinions by proper efforts to as
sociate with his own woe, in support thereof,
the votes of other citizens of like convictions,
or which in any ether way emasculates HIM
as citizen. Nor do L believe that there is
any public sentiment, or any considerate citi-
Zen favorable to the creation of public senti-
ment which would ostTacise an office holder
from discharging all his duties, and exercising
all bis rights as a citizen. At any rate, do
not propose TO be debarred therefrom. Never
theless, am of the OPT ion that my resigna-
ton as a member of your committee, will &C.
cord more with the spirit of the times, and be
more satisfactory to the party at large than
would my continued service thereon.
Very truly yours