The Portland daily press., 1893-04-11
The Ward One Count Out.
he Editor of the Press:

To the Editor OF the Press:
am somewhat puzzled in regard to
that count out in Ward One. I was out
of the city at the time of its occurrence,
and on taking up the Eastern Argus
paper that l have read for fifty years, al
most every day, and on reading its ac-
couns of that affair supposed there had
been great crime committed, one of the
greatest political crimes that can be per-
petrated in the country, by cheating the
people out of their choice of rulers or
their servants, either way we please to
call them. But with equal surprise /
now read in the columns Of the Argus
that there has been no crime committed.
Can it be possible that the editor of
tho Argus together with the leaders Of
the Democratic party in this city have
fallen into the condition limited at by
Alexander Pope that e Bas 49,
Vice is monster of so hideons mien
To be hated needs butt be seen
But seen too oft, familiar with its face
We first endure, then pity, then embrace.
Let us look for moment at the posi-
ton of some of those leaders in this
affair. How does Mayor Ingraham stand
upon the question: When the news first
reached him he was struck with so much
holy horror, that he could not accept an
office under such doubtful tenure but
/ am informed that a great change has
come over his feelings, SO much so that
he has great doubts about the affair,
and in fact says he feels and thinks that
there has been no wrong done, or any
one injured, and is quite willing to be-
come one of the martyrs in the case, and
stand to be run for Mayor by the ones
who are holding up the hands of those
who but few weeks ago SO shocked the
fine sensibilities of the Eastern Argus.
Where and how, stands the alderman
of Ward One, the spotless and sanity
one, whose indignation knew no bounds,
when he heard the news that Ward One
had gone for him by the unprecedented
vote of over two hundred plurality. Why
of course he could not think for one mo-
ment of accepting any position based
upon such an outrage. Now look and
what do we see! No doubt the change
was brought about by deep meditation
and earnest prayer, prompted by high
impulse of patriotism to save his country
OF possibly his party, by changing his
mind and conserving to accept the office
of alderman. o, what a change was
there my countrymen and in the face of
high Heaven, and his fellow citizens, he
makes this motion. That the count Tor
rather steaI of the vote of Ward One be
accepted. Tell it not in Gath, publish it
not in the streets Of Askalon. | know of
nothing that has occurred in this state SO
corrupting and dangerous to republican
government, as that act. Can
you tell me what has brought about
this great change of mind in the leaders
of the party, if not of morality?
Have they Mr.. Editor, have they
come into possession of any new evidence
which would prove the innocence of these
men? If SO, I should think they would
make haste and give it to the public.
Mr.. Editor, their treatment of the case
and arguments in regard to it, remind
| me of the story of the freshman who bor-
rowed kettle to scald his pig in, and
when accused of breaking it said. "Be
Jabers, | niver borrowed your kittle
And besides when borrowed your kittle
it was cracked, and it was whole when
carried it home" In the first place there
was no crime committed. Secondly; and
| it was not Harper who did it. Thirdly,
and Russell he told of. it. Mr.. Editor
can any reasonable man believe that the
thinking and moral people of this city
will endorse party that will resort to
such logic and will rally to support
such an abomination.
CONSISTENCY.