The Republican journal., 1886-04-15
The Democratic Pow-Wow.

The brief press report of the meeting of the
Democratic State Committee in Augusta last
week failed to do justice to the subject. 1t
was big time and no mistake. The Brown
end was on top, and the Bass end ought to feel
pretty sore. AS the Whig aptly says it ''was a
most harmonious affair." that is harmonious in
the sense that nearly all those present had a
grievance either against the Administration,
some of its reform appointees, or the would-be
Bangor boss, and this combination of Demo-
cratic troubles was pretty thoroughly ventilat-
ed before the meeting adjourned
Col. Cromwell opened the ball at the after
noon session. We give the Fairfield Journals
synopsis of his remarks:
Col. VIM. A. Cromwell in a ten minutes
speech paid his respects to ''wrecker Bass l..
ID. NJ. Sweat and the ''custom house POODLE"
+. X. Pierce, and denounced the outside inflil-
ence that seeks to control the Maine patronage.
Col. Cromwelfs denunciation of Sweat, the
Portland syndicate, and other profesSed Demo-
Gratis who did not vote for Cleveland, and
thought 'his nomination ineXcusable," but
who now have the credit of parcelling out the
Maine offices for consideration of $1,000 and
small sums, was loudly applauded, the whole
committee cheering William on, and indorsing
his speech with hearty hand shaking.
The Lewiston Journals report says that a
large share of Cromwell's remarks was devot-
ed to Pierce:
''Fm Democrat from way back" shouted
the Colonel. GIVE always been true Demo-
crat. | never have been in any fusion steal
[Sensation. Pierce never was a Democrat"
The Colonel said he did not know who was re-
sponsible for Pierce's appointment, whether it
was Sweat or Bion Bradbury, but whoever did
if ought to be ashamed of if.
Col. A. w. Bradbury afterwards called Col
Cromwell to account for aSSauting his father ;
but Cromwell stood his ground and declared
he had said nothing that he wanted to take
back.
A move, said to have originated in the Port
land custom house, looking to the appointment
of an executive committee with headquarters
at Portland to run the campaign. thus leaving
the State Committee out in the cold, was check
mated by Chairman Brown and his followers.
A letter from Appraiser Pierce on this subject
was laid before the committee, and the Fair
field journal says: Mr. Pierces remarkable
spryness was commented on contemptuously
and his communication was so entirely prev
ous that it was received with uproarious
lauehter'
When the doors We're thrown open, and the
faithful invited in, number of short speeches
We're made. Hon. J. B. Redman ''predicted
success now that the clouds had rolled awav"
Gen. $. d. Leavitt Thought the Democratic
prospects bright" Hon. W. II. Clifford ''want-
ed all loyal Democrats to take off their coats
and announce their determination that there
should be no dead-hcad in the undertaking."
OTHERS Ial
cess. l.. NJ. Staples, of Washington, Me-.
talked in different strain. He said the Demo-
crats in his county are fighting mad, and it is
OF no use to deny it. They believe that the
Democratic party of this country is bigger
than Cleveland and believe in letting him
know it. EX-Gov. Garceon made free trade
speech, which fell fiat. Other speeches of no
special significance were made but during a
lull in the proceedings Chairman Brown, who
wore a full suit Of war paint, made savage
attack on Mr.. Bass, using the Wnslow post
offlce incident as a text. Brown repeated Ben.
Bunker's charge that Bass sold the post Office,
in opposition to the wishes of the Democrats
of Winslow, to man who agreed to get sub
scribers for the Commercial. Col. Morton re-
inforced Chairman Brown in his raid on the
absent Bangor sachem. He said that recent
ly appointed mail agent demonstrated with
Mr.. Bass for his course i'll this Winslow matter
and Mr.. Bass threatened to have him discharg-
ed. Gen. S. d. Leavitt, of Eastport, also gave
Mr.. Bass hit. ''Of course this is harmon
ious meeting," said he. "The disturbing ele-
ment is not present" [Applause.l
IL.
well, latter bitterly denouncng the Portland
lobby crowd" introduced resolution endors-
ing the President. Mr.. L. NJ. Staples moved
that it be laid upon the table until the State
convention meets. EX-Gov. Garceon thought
| the resolution untinely. Capt. Chase suggest
ed that quorum of the committee was not
present. The resolution was finally passed.
The Fairfield journal says that "thc unani-
nous opinion of those present was that the
Democrats of Maine, who 90 to Washington
and lie about each other, are more to blame
than the President. Gen. Leavitt remarked
that the President was placed in a hard posi-
ton in regard to Maine appointments, and had
| undoubtedly been deceived bv those who are
trying to ruin the party because they cannot
rule it, while it was true that the appoint
ments have been given to those who did not
deserve them, and have not earned them
Mr.. Emery Of Alfred stated that there were
Others besides Bass who We're trying to wreck
the party, and that they lowered together i'll
Washington deceiving the President and cab
met. Mr.. Emery was asked to name them.
He thought it not proper, although he had them
on his list. ''Would it make YOU Sweat?'' ask
ed one gentleman. Yes said Mr. Emery; sit
would make me Sweat bad.'' This allusion to
l.. ID. Sweat, who is credited with advising the
appointment of drones and do-nothings, brought
rumor Of $1,000 being paid by the Portland GUS
tom house appointees was discussed.
Then it was time for roasting Bass. l.. NJ.
Staples moved a resolution declaring that the
conduct of Mr.. Bass had been such that if
should be reported to the heads of all the de-
partments in Washington. The Fairfield Jour-
nal says Bass got severe raking from all the
speakers, and was soundly denounced for trea-
son to the party. Mr.. Staples resolution was
finally referred to the State Committee is
| to Chairman Brown!
A resolution endorsing Chairman Brown was
enthusiastically adopted, and the committee ell
dcrsed itself by ruling out all outsiders and
monopolzing the distribution of patronage
The speakers generally expressed the idea that
| Cleveland was not so much to blame as the fel-
| lows who had lied to him. Gen. I.eavitt said
| that certain Maine Democrats We're more re-
| sponsible than Hale and Frye for the failure OF
| the Senate to confirm Capt. Chase.
| 1t was supposed the Democratic State Con
vention would be held in Augusta, but the COM
| mittee decided upon Bangor. Is not Chairman
| Brown putting his luck to a severe test in thus
boarding the lion in his den--or, rather, the an
imal that wears the lions skin? The willy Bass
may turn the spigot and let his sarsaparla flow
until the Brown braves grow knock-kneed anC
thick-tongued from its effects, and then proceed
| to capture the crowd. Danger turks in the at
mosphere of Bangor, and General Brown will
have to look well after his army while in thai
hostile territory. The Bangor Commercial i,
already up in arms and eager for the fray. II
SAYS of the Democratic conference:
If the Republican reports are correct L. ID
M. Sweat, Collector Anderson and j. p. Bass
are regarded with disfavor by the committee
which "vindicated" Chairman Brown. There /.
nothing in this circumstance calculated to cause
either of the gentlemen named any considerabl,
amount of grief