The Portland daily press., 1888-03-05
Today,s Election.

Little need be added at this time to what
has already been said in the progress Of the
contest that ends at the polls today. The
minds of the great majority of the voters are
fully made up by this time so that argument
or exhortation would be wasted. Still it
may not be amlss to sum up the situation
briefly and restate in compact form some Of
the considerations which should influence
the voters in making their choice to-day.
The fact that there are but two candidates
in the field makes it certain that today's yot-
ing will decide who is to be our next mayor.
Every voter therefore should be careful to see
that his vote correctly expresses his opinion
on this question. The selection of mayor
is matter in which every tax payer of
Portland is interested, for it may vitality af-
feet his interests. Therefore every tax-pay-
er should 90 to the polls and record his
preference between the two candidates.
The Republicans have nominated for their
candidate a gentleman who has held the
Office two terms and who has guarded the
city's,interest with rare skill and fidelity.
He is thoroughly familiar with city affairs as
regard to several Important matters now
pending, the decision of which may vitality
affect the citys welfare. He is in the prime
of life, active, capable, alert. having large
personal stake in the city's prosperity, and
able and willing to devote his time and tai
ents to the management of the city's af-
fairs. He was put in nomination by men
who are thoroughly Identified with the city,
who have large interests here and who select
cd him as the best man to entrust themanage-
ment of the affairs Of the municipality to at
this juncture They acted with the full
knowledge that their choice was likely to be
ratified at the polls and therefore under the
responsibility which the belief that they
were actually selecting the next mayor i'm
posed upon them.
Gen. Neal Dow was put in nomination by
a party which numbers all told perhaps
hundred. He was selected without the
slightest idea that he would be elected
mayor, and therefore the question of his fit
ness for that office was no doubt
entirely left out of consideration. He was
selected simply as rallying point for
hundred or less gentlemen who are trying to
build up distinct party. The Democrats
subsequently recommended him to the voters,
butnowhere in that Recommendation did they
commit themselves to an endorsement of him
as fit man to fill the Office of Mayor at this
time. Gen. Dow is now So years Of age, and,
though he is a remarkably active and ener-
getic man for his age, it may we'll be doubted
if he will prove equal to thestrain which the
constant and perplexing duties of Mayor will
put upon him. He is not specially familiar
with city affairs. As a leader of a reform
movement, as an exponent Of an idea, he has
met with great success, but the enthusiastic
nature which fits him for those things dis
qualities him for the successful conduct of an
executive Office requiring patience and cool
judgment.
Between these two men the citizens of Port
land must choose today. All that we ask is
that each voter will act with the same care
and discrimination that he would exercise if
he were selecting manager fer a business
establishment Of his own