The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1888-06-13

time to time give information to Congress Of
the state OF the Union. From time imme-
mortal it has been the invariable custom Of
the distinguished men who have held that
high position TO comply with this provision
OF the Constitution both in letter and In
spirit, by giving to Congress in an annual
message Information in regard to the state
OF the Union with great minuteness and de-
tail. In December last when the President
sent his message to Congress there were
many matters about which the people of this
country were interested. We should have
been glad TO hear the views Of the President
upon the workings OF his civil service reform
theories. He had had then nearly three
years OF official experience, he had had time
enough to remove almost every person w no
was in Office at the commencement of his adj
ministration, and If civil service reform
meant to the President Of the United States
the removal OF old and experienced public
servants, many OF whom by reason Of loss of
health or limb in the war Of the Rebellion
had claims upon this government which can
never be fully satisfied, then he could GER
tainly hatter himself tnat be has met with
most remarkable success.
We should have been interested in hearing
from the President in regard to our relations
with foreign governments, especially with
the Dominion Government across the line.
The people of this State Of all others were
anxious to know the pelicy OF the admins
tration upon the Fishery Question and as to
what movement, If any, was being made to
prevent insult and injury to our fishermen
and their property. But In this remarkable
document sent by the President to Congress
when 1t convened in December last, none Of
these matters were mentioned or even allud-
ed to. One thing only was the subject of
that message, namely, the surplus in the
Treasury and his remedy therefor. Then
for the first time In public document that
system of protection to American industries
and American labor. under which this coun-
try has grown and h0urished as no other
country has ever grown before, not only In
population but in wealth, prosperity and in
everything which tends to add to the COM
fort and happiness OF our people, then
say 1t was that for the first time this
system was called vicious, ineQuitable and
Illogical" And then followed In this remark
able document an elaborate argument, the
logical result Of which is practical free
trade.
&No wonder that this message received the
unanimous and unqualified approval Of
every British manufacturer and every Brit
ish newspaper.
How quickly that issue rendered was ac-
cepted by the Republican party First Of all
by that man who, whether at home or
abroad, either in public life or while seek
ing the rest and recreation of foreign travel,
Is always the exponent of Republican princi-
pies and the leader Of Republican leaders.
The Presidents message was sent to Con-
gress on the 9th Of December and was imme-
diately telegraphed all over the civilized
world On the 7th Of December that man to
whom l have already alluded, whose
name Is in the mind Of every mem
Der of this Convention, in an in
terview had with him in Paris exposed
the fallaces of the Presidents argument,
showed that the surplus Of revenue over
expenditures could be safely and easily re-
duced without endangering the business
enterprises which have grown and fiourished
under our system of protection, and which
give employment TO millions Of our citizens.
Mr.. Blaine In that interview. the day after
the message was made public. struck the key
note Of the position which has since been
taken by our Republican representatives in
Congress and which before that greater Con-
gress OF the American people will be taken
by the Republican party in the coming con-
In due time the legitimate offspring of the
Presidents message made its appearance in
the House OF Representatives in the form Of
the Mills Bill.
Gentlemen of the Convention-It is not
surprising that the Republicans Of Maine
are Interested in this campaign for that
tariff bill seems to be aimed directly against
the interests OF this State.
In its very first paragraph we find that
timber and lumber Of all kinds, boards,
planks, slaves, shingles and so forth are put
upon the free list. The manufacture Of lum-
Der In all OF Its branches Is great industry
In Maine. From the time the tree is cut
down in the forest until at last it has been
sawed at the mill and shipped to its destina-
uon by rail or by sea thousands of men are
employed and thousands Of families sup
ported by that great industry; and yet we
are so situated with reference to Canada
that the removal of the small protection that
our lumbcrmen at present have, by the pas
sage of the Mills bill would paralyze that
industry, 1t would stop our mills, throw our
labOrers out of employment and eauso wide
spread ruin throughout a considerable por-
tion of our State.
This Of course is not the place for dis
cussion of that bill, / have simply alluded to
spect 1t affects great industry Of this State.
That bill has been so ably discussed by our
representatives in Congress. its injustice and
sectionalism have been so clearly explained
that already the people of the country, from
Maine to Oregon, are prepared to return
their verdict against the bill and against the
policy Of the administration upon this most
important question.
Gentlemen-I believe that the people of
the State OF Maine in common with those Of
the whole country have had quite enough Of
the present administration with its three
years Of rapidly succeeding blunders. In
this country of ours we want an American
| government with American ideas and above
| all an American President whose power
and influence can always be relied upon for
the protection Of our citizens wherever they
may be engaged in their various peaceful
pursuits whether upon the land or upon the
| sea. We want President who will see to
| 1t. that our flag Is not insulted even il 1t
| floats over the most Insignificant fishing
| smack that sails from a Massachusetts or
Maine seaport.
The Republicans Of Maine, aye, great
| majority Of the Republicans of the country
believe that at this crisis in our national
| affairs, there is one man above all others
| whose nomination wouldlmost certainly lead
| to Republican success and whose election
would be for the best interests of our coun-
| try. That man, whose matchless abilities
/ have caused the admiration Of the world
| and whose personal qualities have endeared
| him to multitude Of friends, Is Maine
| idol, our neighb0r and friend, James G..
| Blaine. But If we cannot have him as our
standard bearer, the Republicans of Maine
| will follow with unbroken ranks, the leader
| ship of the nominee of the Convention Sc
soon to be held at Chicago. I-
Gentlemen-l do not propose to occupy
any more Of your time. Let me simply re-
mind you that in this great struggle much
| depends upon Maine. But few days since
we welcomed the news that came across the
| continent OF an unparalleled victory in far of
| oregon. In September next let us send bach
across the continent the glad tidngs Of a
great Republican victory in Maine To-day
| great responsibilities rest upon us; we must
do our part wisely, calmly and with deliber-
alton. In the performance Of my duties, IL
| VIII be necessary, realize, to rely TO very
great extent upon your kindness, your as
siStdncc ana your cooperation, anu KNOW
that may safely do so.
| Gentlemen of the Convention, await your
| pleasure.
| Mr.. WiswelPs remarks were frequently
| applauded, his references to Mr.. Blaine be-
ing received with the most marked express
| sions of enthusiasm.
The motion that the State committee act
| as committee ON credentials was made by
DIR. G. 4. Hussey, of Biddeford, and inn
| mediately carried.
| At this point Hon. s. w. Matthews, OF
| Caribou, arose from his place in the Aroos-
| took delegation, and announced the death OF
Delegate William Gerrish. of Oakfield Plan
| tation, who passed away early yesterday
| morning, and moved that the convention
| take up a contribution for the benefit of the
| widow and children left in Arost0ok. J. w.
| Bolton, of Presque Isle, was selected as
| treasurer of the fund aud when the conven-
| tion took a recess on the motion of Hon. j
| III. Drummond, the clinking of silver as II
went into the hats of the collectors, made
more interesting music than anything the
bands played that day. The whole amount
collected for the widows and orphans was
something over five hundred dollars. Hall
| Q. Burleigh, Of Vassalboro, made the an-
nouncement while the contribution was be-
ing taken that Mn Gerrish was q veteran OF
| the war, and that President Cleveland's veto
would prevent his widow and orphans from
receiving help from the government
During the recess the committee on cre-