The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1892-06-30
SWEET rs NOMINATED FOR
SHERIFF.
The Meeting a Wild Mob Most Of
the Time.
SCARBORO'S HIGGINS LEADS THE
ANTI.SWETT CRUSADE.

| SCARBORO'S HIGGINS LEADS THE
ANTI.SWETT CRUSADE.
| Tolman and Somers Tell How Disreputa
| BILE Were Portland Democratic Cau-
cuses-CharIes Mccarthy, Jr.. Attacks
Prohibition and Poor of Sebago Replies
Col. A. W. Bradbury for County At
torney-Harding of Gorham for Treas
urer-Chas. Dunn, DR., flor Register of
Probate-Winslow, Allen, Mason and
Scates for Senator's.
The Democratic county convention that met
| yesterday was the most entertaining body of
| men that has assembled in this city for many
years. Many bitter party fight has been aired
in Portland convention halls first and last; but
for tumult and confusion they all must bow to
yesterdays performances. 1t had been the
studied intention of the leaders to have quiet
meeting, at which the SWEET family programme
OF nullifying the ubiquitous prohibitory law
should be carefully masked, Hon. VIM. H.
Clifford. in nominating George l.. SWEET for
sheriff, said, without even grin on his hand
some face or a twinkle in his eye, that the DEM
ocrats did not intend to nullify the prohibitory
law through the sheriff's office, but wanted
Just judicious. fair and impartial' enforce
ment. But as the convention proceeded and
grew hotter, as the orators from city and country
urged the respective claims of Somers Tolman
or SWEET, the mask was gradually dropped, and
IN the frank and open speech of Charles McCar-
thy Jr., of this city, the whole SWEET programme
stood forth. There was applause from SWEET
partizans when Mr. Mccarthy said he was
Opposed to the Prohibitory Law,
and declared that the enforcement was sapping
the business vitality of Portland. 1t was in
vain that E. L. Poor of Sebago, with fiery words
warned the convention that the Democratic
party was on the road to defeat if it put forward
such principles as were advanced by Mccarthy,
The SWEET faction were bitter and aggressive,
They were bound to force their candidate
through, and they did it after one of the most
riotous scenes ever witnessed in a political con-
vention in Maine.
Inc convention organized with the choice of
VIM. M. Pennell of Brunswick for chairman.
Though young man,. Mr.. Pennell managed
nlmSelf and the convention well through the
stormy scenes which it was destined to pass,
He Sa1d on taking the chair, that he believed
the people of Cumberland county ready for
Democratic administration of affairs. Whether
ne believed so after the convention had made
Its display OF Democratic temper, may be
doubted.
The committee on credentials reported 152
delegates present, and every town but Raymond
represented. The Raymond delegates came
later. The regulars, headed by McKone and
Alden, were admitted from Deering, and the
local local time IN Democratic delegation, headed by
capt Dick Harding, were admitted from Var
Somers.
There was considerable rivalry between the
young Nathan of the Portland Democracy and
Poor OF Sebago, for the honor of moving to make
the temporary organization permanent but Mr.
Clifford was recognized and did it handsomely
w. I'll. Green of Portland, w. H. O'BriOn Of
Portland and 1. G. Elder of Brunswick were ap-
pointed committee to collect, count and sort
votes.
1t was decided to pass the nomination of
Senators temporarily and proceed to the choice
OF county treasurer,
Warren H. Vinton nominated Fred w. Hard
ing OF Gorham. the 'SOn of the old Harding
who has been county treasurer" and he was
nominated by acclamation.
There was cheer as the chairman announced
that tney would proceed TO
The Nomination of Sheriff.
1t was decided on motion of E. L, Poor of Sc
bago to take the ballot by towns and wards, but
later, when 1t was fully appreciated how hot the
light would be it was decided that each dele
gate should be called by name as he voted
linen there was great hum in the hall as the
lot distributors, headed by Checker" Bradley.
Alexander McKone and Ed G. Swett son of the
man, Somers or Morrill, tickets around As the
confusion began to increase the brows of the
leaders began to darken, and those of most i'm
posing aspect, like the Hon. VIM. II. Clifford.
Solomon SclWafZSchil0 rtl
Gould. began to pace the floor in front of the
presiding officers desk, as sea captains are
wont to pace their quarter edeckS when they
deScry hurricane on the horizon.
In the midst OF the confusion there was stir
on front seat and farmer delegate, grim fo
feature and stentorian of voice, arose and ad-
dressed the convention. The delegates cheered
for they knew him. He was the Mirabeau of
ocarbOrO,
Alexander Higgins.
:, At the district convention he led the way in
and he intended to lead the way yesterday in
ion Of shsrif,a said said Mr.. II Hggins'S s9ls9'
Of the county Of Cumberlana.' VI This issslos Was
somewhat dubious expressions but both city
and country delegates nodded assent, as if they
laboring men of this country continued the
orator. we. want a business man, man in
,,l sympathy with laboring men, a business :man."
man, and they set up a clamor which drowned
Higgins's voice. "Ballot! Ballot! Vote! Vote"
they shouted, but Higgins stood his ground.
'"Give us fair chance to discuss the question"
he yelled. This is Democratic convention.
Let our candidates come before us. and then let
us decide. All the honors in the Democratic
party do not belong. to one man. We have
fought 20 years for victory; but where is your
victory if you will unseat one ring and consti-
tute another? Give us a business man. People
are getting dissatisfied voting for this man and
that, simply because he Is a Democratic
Worker.".
The delegates were not slow to see that Scar
borOS Mirabeau was smashing at SWett and
gradually bringing forward Toman and when
he sat down there was a sigh of relief. But
HiooinS was som IL, r., ~ 4;,,,se