The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1888-02-14
WITHOUT A CANDIDATE,
BUT Likely to Nominate Cen. Neal
DOW for Mayor.
Result Of the Democratic Convention
Last Evening.
MR.. mccarthy Gets the Nomination
and Promptly Declines.

last evening, ploNcu great SURPRISE W
many of the delegates, and presented the GU
rious spectacle Of deliberate attempt to
nominate General Neal Dow for Mayor. The
delegates, in accordance with a call publish
ed in the Argus, first went to Reform Club
Hall. to be informed that Reception Hall
had been decided upon as the place. "Well,"
said several delegates laughingly, 81 sup
pose now that we are reformed we can con-
sistently vote for Dow for Mayor"
At 745 O'Clock chairman Larrabee, of the
City Committee, called the convention to or
der. Frank d. Rogers was chosen chairman
and Asa B. Russell clerk. The roll Of del
egate was called. Three Of those from
Ward Two and three from Ward -Four failed
TO answer their names. Mr.. Thomas Has
set, of Ward Two. said the error on the call
had caused the absent delegates from his
ward to go elsewhere and he was instructed
to cast the vote Of his ward in their absence.
The other vacancies were filed.
The chairman then said the business OF
the convention was to nominate candidate
for Mayor. Hon. M. p. Frank Immediately
arose and addressed the house. he said that
for several years. in the past, the Democrats
had met their opponents in this country and
especially in Maine, only to be worsted, but
they clung to their principles and came for
ward to the battle again and again. Twice
in the national councils they had been victo-
rious, in the contest of 'S4, and in '76 when
when they were robbed Of the prize so gal
lantly won. he then spoke OF one dlstln-
guished citizen of Portland who SO recently
had, in spite of personal feelings, consented
to be their standard bearer, and who, not
withstanding the fact that he received
larger vote than any other Democrat VINO
had ever been elected Mayor, by the super
human efforts made by his opponents, had
been defeated but it was glorious defeat.
A political party can suffer defeat said the
speaker, but they cannot suffer dishonor.
Now present the name of that distinguish
ed fellow citizen, Hon. Charles Mccarthy,
loud applausel for our candidate for Mayor,
and while would not forestall the action OF
the convention, think he would be pleased
to be nominated by acclamation, therefore
nominate HIM by acclamation.
Here arose cries of Yes! yes and No! no!
The chairman said he would take the sense
of the house by a rising vote and the secre-
tary said the vote stood IS yeas and II nays.
The chairman Immediately announced that
Hon. Charles Mccarthy was nominated by
acclamation, and Mr.. Larrabee moved COM
mittee of three be nominated to wait on Mr..
Mccarthy, inform him of his nomination and
request his presence. Messrs. NJ p. Frank,
Fl. II. Verrill and Thomas Hossett were ap
pointed the committee.
The committee were absent long time,
and, while they were gone, considerable dis
cussion took place as to the new parlia-
mentary law by which candidate can be
nominated by acclamation with even single
dissenting vote Finally the committee re-
turned and reported through Mr.. Frank that
they had experienced some difficulty in find
ing Mr.. Mccarthy, and. after an interview
with him, that gentleman had replied in
writing. and he handed the note to the chair
man of the convention, who read it. 1t reads
as follows:
MIR. McCARTHY's DEcLINATIoN.
Gentlemen of the Convention:
In accepting the MayOralty nomination last year
1 Welded my own preferences in the matter in def
eTence to the unanimous wish Of the Democrats OF
Portland, as expressed through their convention 9
of delegates This year, however, there seems 10
exist difference of opinion among Democrats as
to the advisability of my nomination. and mas
much as never sought, or desired the position,
and accepted it from patriotic rather than from
personal motives, l do not feel called upon 70
make any further sacrifice OF my own wishes In
relation to it, and, therefore, respectfully decune
Thanking you for the nomination, and trusting
that you may confer IL upon some gentleman whom
we can all enthusiastically support, and elect,
/ remain, very respectfully. yours,
CHAs. MCCARTHY, JR
The reading of the epistle was received in
silence. 1t was evident that the Me-
Carthy men felt that little job had been put
up on them. That their candidate, who had
been SO Justly attended to by Mr.. Frank, had
been induced to withdraw so that other
schemes could have a successful result. was
patent to them. They were mad clear
through. 1t wasn't strange. The failure to
get unanimous nomination for Mr.. McCar-
thy was now apparent.
Mr.. Frank moved the acceptance of Mr..
McCarthy's resignation, and it was so voted.
Mr.. Rogers said it was in order to proceed
to vote for candidate for Mayor, and Mr..
Hassett moved the roll be called again and
the vacancies among the delegates filed, as
he didn't feel, under the circumstances, that
he wanted to vote any way for other dele
gates, and he also thought those who had
been absent were now present The roll
was called and vacancies filled.
A suggestion was made that nominations
were in order, but deep silence prevailed.
every delegate tearing off a piece of paper
and whiting the end of a lead pencil. L..
w. Tibbetts. John Ahearn and s. Q. Rand
were appointed committee to count votes.
The first ballot was taken, and resulted as
follows,
Whole number of votes es......................35
Necessary to choice. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT