Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-06-05
EDITORIAL COMMENT
OF the Wing on the Opinions of Messrs.
Holbrook and Hatch as to Mr.. Bur-
leigh's Eligibility.

The Portland Press, Jealous although
indiscreet advocate Of Mr.. Cleaves' nom
nation, pretends to be deeply impressed
with the great danger of promoting a
most exemplary and faithful State treas
urer to the Governorship. Indeed so
dented course of attacking the candidacy
of a gentleman whose chief sin appears to
be that he did not abandon the field to his
Portland competitor in the gubernatorial
race, that it has no space in its columns
for the publication of letter from so
well known gentleman and Republican
as Hon. ). 4. llolbrook of Freeport, Cum
berland county, the able treasurer of the
State from 1850 to 1884 inclusive. At
least Mr.. liolbrook, who resides only sew
enteen miles from Portland, sent letter
to the Press on Thursday of last week,
and "a il had not appeared up to Saturday,
although on that day the Press devoted
considerable space to the other side of this
question, Mr.. IIolbrook authorized its
the Press did not intend to present it to
its readers, or, as he expresses it, "As it
has not appeared in that paper probably it
is considered of no consequence"
That letter is published in the Wing of
this morning, cordially indorsed by Hon.
:. c. Hatch, who, like Mr.. Holbrook, was
one of the most efficient and careful
treasurers the State has ever had, and
moreover, gentleman who has had
especial familiarity with the workings of
the office, having repeatedly been on the
committee appointed by the Governor and
Council to examine the accounts of the
treasurer. Both of these gentlemen, whose
fidelity to the State and Republican par
ty has ever been and is today beyond
knowing from practical experience all
about the internal arrangements of the
Treasurer's office, that Mr.. Burleigh is as
clearly eligible to the Governorship as
any man in the State, and that they can
see no complications of State matters to
fellow his nomination and election. That
the people, who can safely be trusted to
select Il proper candidate for the honora-
BILE office of Governor. with all due respect
to the gentlemen who have expressed diff
ferent views on the situation from those
contained in these letters, stand with eX-
Treasurers Holbrook and Hatch, is abun-
dainty proved by the canvass in which
Mr.. Burleigh today has long lead over
the combined forces of his competitors,
his majority over all up to date being
about one hundred aud seventy.
His integrity, ability and eminent fit
ness for the position, are unquestioned,
aud the only apparent effect of the man
ner in which his candidacy is being at
tackled, is to strengthen him with the peo-
pie, who always believe in fair play. The
contrast in the treatment accorded the
other candidates by the papers support
ing Mr. Burleigh. and the treatment he
receives at the hands of the Press, is very
marked. The attempt to lift one candi-
date up by pulling another down, to quote
from an exchange, is not good policy in
what ought to be a friendly contest with
in the party. All the candidates are wor-
thy of the office, and all ought to be
treated with equal fairness.