The Portland daily press., 1889-02-28
REPUBLICAN, CONVENTION.
holman 8. MeIcher NomInated for
Mayor.

The Republican convention, called to NOM
mate candidate tor Mayor, met in the Com
mon Council room at A p. m. yesterday.
Mr.. II. g. Briggs, chairman Of the city
committee, called the convention to order.
ii. II. Burgess was chosen chairman, and
Jabez True secretary.
The list of delegates was called, and all
answered, either personally or vacancies
were filed by the delegations, so that full
delegation was present.
The chairman said the convention bad met
to nominate candidate for Mayor, and he
awaited the pleasure of the meeting.
Mr.. Charles S. Fobes said 1t was his pleas
ure some time ago to present candidate for
Mayor before similar convention. He be-
lieyed all present were agreed that what was
needed was man who would attend to the
interests of the city. While, said he, we are
all partisans in one sense, we should moi
Look to party lines when there is danger
that the interests Of the city may be injured
The interests of a city are greater than par.
ty He thought the man he should name fol
the Office had proved, as merchant, council
man and alderman, well calculated to be the
chief executive Of Portland. 1 will present
said Mr.. Fobes, the name of Holman S. Mel
cher, and, no one opposing, will nominate
him as the Republican candidate for Mayor.
Mr. James Fl. Hall seconded the nomina-
ton, and the motion was carried by unani-
mousirising vote.
On motion of Mr.. Hall a committee of
three was appointed by the Chair to notify
Major Melcher of his nomination, and re.
quest his presence. Messrs. James H. Hall.
Charles S. Fobes and G. c. Kennedy were
appointed said committee On their return.
Major Melcher was greeted with loud APP
plause, all rising. Major Melcher spoke as
follows:
Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen Of the Con-
uenti0n:
1t is unnecessary for me to say that pro-
foundly appreciate this expression Of your
confidence In nominating me as the candidate
OF the Republican party for the high and re-
sponslble Office of Mayor OF this city. The
circumstances attending this nomination
make it doubly gratifying to me, coming, as
Il does, without opposition 10 the caucuses
and by the unanimous voice of this conyen.
ton; and, though understanding from an ex-
perience OF four years service in the City
Council and Board of Aldermen, some OF
the difficulties, and fully approaching the
responsibilities Of the office, / accept the
nomination, and, in this presence pledge
myself, If elected, to serve the city to the
utmost of my ability in its many and varied
interests.
Major Melcher's address was received
with much enthusiasm, and there being no
further business the convention then adj
journed. After adjournment, Major Mel
cher was surrounded by the delegates and
warmly congratulated.
Major Holman S. Melcher was born in
Topsham, June Both, 1871. He attended the
schools in that town, and completed his stu
dies in the Maine State Seminary, now Bates
College. He left that Institution to enlist as
a private in Company B. 10th Maine Regi-
ment, in August, 1862 He was promoted to
on the field at Fredericks-
burg, by Col. Ames, for gallant conduct, and
was made First Lieutenant of Company r
in April following. In July of that year.
1868, occurred the memorable battle of Get
tysburg, in which the Doth played so conspic-
uous part at Little Round Top, and it was
In this battle that Lieut.. Melcher was in
command of his company, the captain hay
ing been shot in the beginning of the en-
gagement. When the situation, it will be re-
membercd, was becoming most serious for
our forces, and leader was demanded.
Lieut.. Melcher sprang forward and, waving
his sword, called on the boys to follow him.
Trey responded with a will, and Little
Round Top was ours. Immediately after
this battle, Lieut.. Melcher was appointed
Acting Adjutant by Col. j. L. Chamberlain,
as mark of appreciation, remaining in the
position till the Wilderness campaign, when
he was assigned to the command of the left
company of the regiment, and was severely
wounded in the first days fighting at Spott-
sylvania. For the services there he was
made Captain. On returning to the front he
was assigned to the staff of Gen. G. K. War
rem, commanding the 9th Corps, and served
in that position until the armies were mus
tered out at the close of the war, receiving
the breyet of Major for meritorious conduct
at Five Forks and Appomattox.
After his return from the war, Major Mel.
cher went into the wholesale grocery bust.
ness on Commercial street, under the firm
name of Churchill, Hunt & Melcher, and
since the dissolution of that firm has contin.
ued In business under the firm name of Fl
S. Melcher & Co.
Major Melcher has always acted with the
Republican party. casting mis- first vote fol
Abraham Lincoln at the second election, un-
der the guns of Petersburg He has repre-
scented Ward in both branches of the city
government,-in 1SS0-S1 in the Common
Council, ano in 1882 and 's3 in the Board OF
Aldermen. Major Melcher is Past Com
mander of Bosworth Post, G. A. R.. of this
city, and was aide in 1888 on the staff of
Commander-in-C Rea. He is also a
member of Ancient Landmark Lodge of Ma
sons, the Military Order of the Loyal Le-
gion, and a member of Free street Baptist