The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1888-05-30
THE TRIBULATIoNS OF Mr.. CLIFFORD.
First District Democrats and What
Came of Their Meeting.
A Private conciave and its MournfuI
Results.
William Emery, of Alfred, Nominat-
ed for Congress.
Especial to the Press.l

Especial TO the PreSs.]
BIDDRFoRD, May 29.-The Democracy OF
the First District met in convention here to-
day. The great event of the day was the
sacrifice of William Henry Clifford, who was
offered as a burnt offering on the altar fire
that is tended by the Cleveland administra.
tion and Maine Central railroad Democrats
Of Maine. To the superficial observer the
taking off of Mr.. Clifford began about 10 a.
m. today, when the York county delegates
met in secret and solemn conclaye In the
common council room beneath the hall to
prepare for the convention. Reporters were
not admitted; only the true and tried gath
cred there. Tristram Goldthwaite, the War
Eagle of the Saco, the same who two years
ago presented the name of John w. Deer
ing, of Portland, as suitable for candidate
for Congress, presided; and in sepulchral
tones told the delegates that they were gath
cred to continue the discussion begun last
night In the Biddeford House as the best
course to pursue In nominating a~candidate
for Congress. That discussion, it Is under
stood. related to the Hon. William Fl. Cliff
ford, as to whether he should be re-nominat-
ed or set aside. There were those in last
nights conclave who spoke in Mr.. Clifford s
favor, it Is said; but they did not open their
heads this forenoon. Young Alderman Wig
gin of Saco, arose first and said it was time
that the York county Democrats were re-
cognized. They had not had candidate
since John NJ. Goodwin in 1876 Some one
here interrupted and said that Joseph Dame
had had the nomination more recently, but
Mr. Z. G. Moody, of York, pointed out that
Mr. Dame run the year that the nominations
were at large and not controlled by the Dis
tricts; so this point did not tell in Mr.. Cliff
ford's favor. Then big Benz Chadbourne
came forward and dwelt more at length on
the claims of York. Everyone agreed with
him that York should present the man,
and that that man should be, not William FL.
Clifford, Of Portland, but William, common
~ called "BilP' Emery, of Alfred. The
county, which two years ago made Mr.. Cliff
ford the standard bearer. this year. contrary
to usage, pulled him down. No one in the
conclave gave any reasons for this per-
formance; but three are said to be
some very interesting reasons. 1t is
said that when the Biddeford Democracy
pal fight this spring, they sent and implored
the Hon. Mr.. Clifford to send them ou. some
money for sinews of war, and that he de-
clined the honor OF contributing. This made
the Biddeford Democrats mad. And it mat
ters not whether the story that officials of
the Portland post Office went out to Bidde-
ford about the time of the city caucuses to
work against Clifford, is true or false. Bid
deford was against him, even without the in
fiuence of the Portland post office.
Some thought that even with York against
him, Mr. Clifford would be able to pull
through by the help of Cumberland. But
Mr.. Clifford knew better. He knew that
certain party potentates in the Portland GUS
tom house were against him, and that the
new leader of the Maine Democracy, Cleve-
lands satrap in this State, who alone could
save him, would not reach out helping
hand. 1t was with knowledge of these
things, no doubt, that Mr.. Clifford took his
place behind the scenes, ready to act at the
opportnne moment. Here it is necessary to
leave him for time.
tion to- order at about II o'clock, and an
nounced Augustus f. Moulton, Esq. Of Port
land, as temporary chairman, and Mr.. K. s.
Osg0od of Portland and Mr.. f. S. Morrice of
Biddef0rd as secretaries.
Mr.. M0ulton, on taking the chair, made a
somewhat lengthy speech, in which he great
ly pleased the Democrats by the visions of a
golden Democratic future, which he conjur-
ed up. He told them he esteemed it an hon.
or to be called to preside over such arepre-
sentative Democratic convention. 1t was a
business convention, devoted to the good of
the party. And it met under excellent aus
pices. For the first time in generation a
Democratic district convention came together
under the benign influence of a Democratic
administration. This administration meant a
united country, that the North and South, the
East and West would would all come togeth-
er in peace and in SubServiency to one con-
stitution. and determined to achieve one des-
tiny. 1t was left to the Democrats to achieve
these things, and they had now an admins
tration that knows what Demscracy means.
The President had the courage Of his con-
victions, and had told the people that the
great and pressing danger of the hour was
the accumulation of the surplus, and had
said that the tariff taxes must be reduced.
Further ne had told them that the produc-
tions of the country must be for the people
and not for the monopolists. Mr.. Moulton
said that whenever you put your finger ON a
monopollst you put your finger on Repub-
llcan. Now the people will say that while
the capitalists have been protected by the
tariff, labor has been subject to absolute free
trade. Now gentlemen, continued Mr.. Moul-
ton. you have measure before Congress ON
which Mr.. Reed has recently made speech.
Now OF all the compliments paid that bill,
Mr.. Reed has paid it the greatest. In his
speech he passes that bill by completely, and
goes on to smite the bugbear Of free trade. a
thing that never existed and never will.
The pr0tectionists also bring up the bug
bear of Great Britain and the competition OF
her cheap lab0rers. We used to defy her.
They tell us also that from 1s48 to 1890 was
the low tariff or free trade period in Ameri-
ca
Now, gentlemen, recall the fact that these
factories here in Biddeford were built in
that period, and paid such wages as to lure
the school marms and boys from all the
country. around. Then the. operative;
had their literary societies, their libraries
and their papers. Now, gentlemen, we want
back the times when labor and capital have
equal rights This is q working convention
and after we have done our w0rF we want tC
go home and take off our coats and see thai
the First District Is redeemed. There Il
not monopolist or capitalist who would
not mourn If Mr.. Reed should be defeated
Unfortunately an event was to occur that
may upset the laborious harmony which Mr.
M0ultOn en10ined upon the brethren. In
this event Mr.. Clifford, who even then sal
behind the scenes within few feet OF the
| speaker. was to be the chief and the mos
| graceful actor. But some practical detail.
| remained to be attended to before this high
| ly dramatic event. The committee ON ere
uenLlaiS reported, ana tnat report as SuDSe
| quently amended to indicate the arrival o.
| new delegates, showed that there were pres
| ent 1856 delegates, LOG from Cumberland ant
| 80 from York, The two counties are enti
| tied under the call to a43.
| The temporary organization was mad,
| permanent and Charles II. Chase of Port
land, Stephen Tole of Buxton, Samuel M
Bracket of Cumberland, and Otis Kaler oi
| Scarboro, were made vice presidents TheI
| Messrs. Moore of Berwick, G. p. Emery o.
Gorham, land Edwin Stone Of Biddeford
| were made a committee on resolutions.
| Then came Mr.. Clifford's opportunity, anC
| dashing out from behind the scenes, he VIII.
| was two years ago the Young Lion of the Den
| ocracy, stood before the delegates who ap
| plauded though they had betrayed him. q
| wish to state" he began, that two years agS
| the nomination for Congress came to me un
expected and unsought. l telegraphed my
inability to accept. but the convention hae
| adjourned before the despatch was deliver
| ed. was not Cumberland County's favor
| lite, but was presented by the delegates fron
| York. The place came to me unsought Fol
| the support which you gave me in that cam
| paign now thank you; and having don,
| this, beg leave to say that my name Is no
| to be presented to this convention. Wishinl
| you every success in the campaign, / agaii
affirm that am not q candidate for reHom
| ination.'
The faint applause that greeted these las
| words had not died out when Mr.. Clifford