Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-06-24
Hon. G. A. BOutelle's Letter
To Hrs CONSTITUENTS ON THE DEFECTS OF
THE PRESENT ADMINISTRATIONS.

day, must ask you 10 present TO them NV
most cordial greeting, and to permit me b.
this letter To express my grateful spprecia-
ton OF the distinguished marks of confidence
that have been generously bestowed upon
me BY the constituency 10 whose behalf they
are 10 assemble.
While it would be indicate for me to as
sumo AM thing 10 advance concerning the
nomination that you will make, cannot be
insensible TO the uniformly kind expressions
o. a purpose to return me to Congress, that
have reached me from all parts of the Dis
'rct; and it is peculiarly gratifying that up TO
this time / have had no int!mation of any
other feeling.
The responsibility that accompanies such
continued manifestation Of public favor Is
increased by the very liberality with which it
, is bestowed and | am profoundly conscious
!, that the honors conferred upon me by the
people Of one of the most intelligent and ex-
cellent constituencies in the United States
have been due TO their own generous favor,
rather than to any special merit of my own.
| can only offer for the future, as in the past,
the ASSURANCE that such abiltie. as possess
ail be earnestly devoted TO UNFOLDING the
principles and promoting the interests con-
hded to me a. representative.
The republican party Of Maine is about en-
tering upon a most important campaign under
very cheering auspices, but the history Of the
stubborn contests always made bv our an
cient foe, the democracy, should warn us
against any Of that over-coidence that re-
lakes effort, or the apathy that furnishes in
ceutiye to the zeal of our opponents.
Maine is to render judgment upon toe at
tempt of the democratic party TO conduct the
national administration, and It's verdict OF
weighed IN the balance and found wanting"
] 10, ,ifb tha,
ring through the country like trumpet
blast
i A year and half of democratic rule has
exposed the hollow mockerv of that party's
pretensons, demonstrated the falsehood of its
electioneering ISLANDER of republican admins
tration and humliatingly advertised demo-
cratic incapability.
Instead of "lurning republican rascals out"
the penilentaries have been ransacked for
democratic appointees TO office. ms cad Of
Cleansing the Augean stables" the second
wear Of the reform" administration finds a
democratic House of Representatives vainly
seeking to whitewash stupendous scandal of
jobbery in which Cabinet ministers figure as
principals and their democratic subordinates
as accessories.
Instead of lifting high the banner of "cvil
service reform under which the mugwump
contingent rallied for Cleveland and pure
politics" in 1884, it has heen used as door
mat by that distinguished Office broker. Eu-
gene Higgins. and mas been trampled under
the muddy boots of the "hungry and thirsty"
until a democratic commissioner of pensions
is enabled to testify that "under the rules, )"
as now applied, he Obtained l4S democrats
ont of l52 appointments, and the democrats
of the House are proposing to amend the law
so that the reform" party can grab the other
four
Instead of proving a dstnctively American
administration, its Postmaster General has
nullifed the laws by refusing to afford the en-
enlargement to American steamship lines
that WAS voted by Congress. while paying in
stead large sums to the subsidized steamers of
foreign countriea. And a democratic COM
mittee is now championing in a democratic
House q bill that proposes to strike down the
last bulwark of our shipping interests by OPP
ening our foreign and coastwise trade to ves-
SEES built abroad.
Instead of restoring our navy" the demo-
cratic administration has signalzed its policy
only by wsnton destruction of the business
of that enterprising lrish-A American. John
Roach, whose work of lifetime has been
the creation of the greatest shipbuilding
establishment on this side of the Atlantic
while the department that has paid many
thousands of dollars to British draughtsmen
for plans has been unable thus far to furnish
designs of the vessels provided for by the last
Congress.
Instead of the "retrenchment and eeono-
my" that was promised, the estimates for ex-
penditures have been largely increased, and
we ind the Democratic State Convent on of
Mai re in its platform denouncing Congress
in which its party has large working ma or-
ity r having devoted six months of its
H..
ways and means to deplete the treasury of its
surplu. millions to the neglect of important
legislation" The same democratic State
Convention denounced the democratic House
of Representatives ''for its extravagance and
wastefulness in the appropriation OF nearly
Sl5, 600, 900 of the peoples money" in the
river and harbor bill, against which, may
remark, were recorded the votes of all the
republican representatives from Maine.
Instead of unfolding the dignity of our
government abroad, our relations with two
important nationalities have been impaired
bv the persistent attempt to thrust upon them
an offensive champion of rebellion. and as
result we are to-day without representation
at the court of Austris. On the other hand,
the utter lack of energy or apparent interest
in maintaining the rights of our fishermen
has encouraged the Canadians to set up a
ridiculous pretense of Dominion Navy"
that is pursuing and Selling our Iparmed ves
sells in defiance and derision of the power of
the United States.
Instead of bringing the Increased pros
perity' and the ''good times" that were prom
lsed by the democratic press and orators be-
fore election. we have business disturbances
in all parts of the country, capital and labor
thrown into antagonism disastrous to both
and iru .tful of violence and dire suffering
for the working people. And, while our i'm
ports are increasing At the rate of S0.000,
900 per year, instead of legislation to shut
out this vast product of foreign labor and
give empoymen in its production at home,
We have democratic ways and means COM
mittee brandshing before the paralyzed in
dustries of the country tariff bill proposing
to throw the gates open still wider to the
manufactures of psuper labor in Europe, and
striking with equally murderous intent at the
lumber industries of Name and the wool
growing interests of our own and other
| States
But the limits of letter will not suffice for
even an index OF the developments of demo-
cratic unfitness for the control of this great
country. Its alliances for generations have
been with the influences deadly opposed
to the progress and welfare of the nation,
| and il is still Joined to its idols.