Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-10-03
MILLIKEN SWEARS0FF.
The Maine Congressman Vows Never
to Touch Liquor Again.
BID FOR THE TEMPERANCE VOTE.
He Is Having Hard Fight for Congress,
Hence That Promise.
SCORING A POINT ON HIS OPPONENT
ESPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DISPATCH.

ESPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DIsPATCH.l
AUGUSTA, ME-, Oct. 2.-The Congress
sional fight in this district has assumed a
most interesting phase. In order to catch
the Prohibitory vote, Congressman Milli-
ken has sworn off and promises never to
again touch intoxicating liquor if the voters
will return him to Congress. On Septem-
Der -, lifelong friend of Congressman
Milliken wrote that gentleman a letter, in
which, after referring in cOmmendable
terms to the commanding position he had
taken IN Congress; his industry and faith
fulness, and the promptness with which he
had attended to all business committed to
his care, said:
You know, however, that am an earnest
temperance man, and you have among us
temperance men many warm friends. Now,
while we feel thankful that, whether in the
Legislature of Maine or in Congress, you
have invariably voted for and ably adyo-
Gated temperance measures whenever you
had an opportunity to do so, we have been
panied by stories circulated in regard to
your occasional use of Intoxicating
liquors, and l can assure you that nothing
would be more grateful to us, your sincere
friends, than to be assured of your deter
m1natiOn to become a total abStalner from
the use of these beverages. 1 do not write
to you in the spirit of criticism or fault-fnd-
convictions of your friend of many wears
past and trust of many years to come.
To this letter Congressman Nilliken made
the following reply:
MILLIKEN swEARs OFF.
MY DEAR OLD FRIEND-I beg you to accept
my cordial thanks for your frank and
friendly letter. 1t deserves, and shall re-
ceive, as frank reply. Events which have
transpired within year had already
m tn q nj
the course which you, with feelings so kind
toward me. have recommended, and had
already decided upon it as the only safe
way, especially for one in public life.
You may, therefore, be assured that no one
will have cause for a complaint in the direc-
tion alluded to, and if my public career has
been a source of qualification to you land
am more than proud that you say it has
been) you shall have cause to be no less
gratified with my course in other respects.
Now that am writing to you it may not
be improper l should refer to another mat
ter hear it rumored that have arranged
with certain candidate for Congressional
honors to support him in future for his with
drawal and support of me now. That is ab-
solutely false Though l entered political
life, as You know, soon after my majority,
and have had the disposal of hundreds of
offices since, have never made q political
bargain.
A STRONG DENUNCIATION.
If one instance can be shown where 1 have
caused person 10 De appointed ana nave
even intimated that 1 should expect any
favor in return for it, will never again be
candidate for public place. Whatever of
public office have had has come to me with
out a bargain or a promise, and so it will be
in the future if 1 continue to hold office at
all.
He who will prostitute the patronage of
an Office which he already occupied to Sc
cure another is the worst kind of
corruptionist and a dangerous enemy
to our institutions. He is even worse
than the man who corrupt5 the suffrage
with money, for he who buys votes directly
from his own pocketbook uses for corrupt
purposes that which is his own while he
who bestows office for political support in
return converts to his own use what be-
longs to the people. to prevent an honest
expression of their will But he who will do