The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1893-02-20
DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION
Reneminates Mayor Ingra|laln Satur-
day Evening.

Hon. NJ. P. Frank Speaks Piece-Mayor
Ingraham Recites His Doughty Deeds
The Ward Committees Appointed-And
the Band Played Annie Laurie.
The delegates elected to the Democratic
Mayoralty convention met in Reception
hall Saturday evening to re-nominate
Mayor Ingraham. The events OF the
evening were Hon. NJ. p. Franks intro
duction of himself as the representative
of the Convention, the common people
and the citizens of Portland and Mayor
Ingraham's modest recital of his doughty
achievements the past year, which in
Guided more things that weren't so,
and omitted the many failures.
Hanno w. Gage was chairman and S
C. Perry clerk. After their election Hon.
M. P. Frank spoke as follows:
Mr.. Franks Speech
It gives me great pleasure in behalf of
this convention, the common people and
the citizens of Portland, to be allowed to
speak of the brilliantrecord Of His Honor,
Darius H. Ingraham, the past year. APP
plause The Improvements built up
under this administration are many, as
we all know, but will speak of but a
few. The disinfecting station at House
Island stands as monument, for the
purpose of keeping the dreaded cholera
scourge from our beautiful city; the inn
provements in our public schools. and
could 90 on indefinitely mentioning the
various improvements, but as the time is
precious will present the following reso-
luton:
RESOLVED. That this convention heartily APP
proves and endorses the administration OF Hon
arius H. Ingraham as Mayor for the past mu,
nicipal year, and points with pride to the record
thereof. His vigilant and untirlng efTorts 10
protect and advance the interests OF our Del0ved
city merit and receive the grateful thanks OF all
good citizens. Especially do we commend the
the encroachments and unjust claims OF the
Portland Water Company, and pledge him our
support in his contest with this grasplng mo-
nOpoly. Upon this issue and the records OF his
administration we again put him in nomination
for the Office of Mayor, which he has so ably
filled, and solicit the suirages OF our fellow cltl-
ZenS.
I take great pleasure in presenting to
this convention for their candidate for
Mayor, for the coming municipal year,
His Honor Darius III. Ingraham, and move
that the vote be taken by a rising vote.
[Applause].
The convention having nominated Mr..
Ingraham, Messrs. ]. Fl. Bradley, E. S.
Osgood and W. H. Clifford were appoint
ed committee to wait on the Mayor and
they returned with him.
Mr.. Ingraham then said:
Mr.. Ingraham's Speech.
Mr.. Chairman and Gentlemen of the Con-
Uention:
I desire to tend my heartfelt thanks
for this denomination as the Democratic
candidate for the Office now hold.
would also take occasion to express to
all nv fellow citizens my appreciation of
their kind consideration while discharg-
ing the duties of Mayor. If reelected,
trust that the experience of the past year
will prove of benefit in serving the varied
interests of the people.
We may well congratulate ourselves
that coming into power under circum-
stances of unusual difficulty, we have
been able to make our administration
satisfactory, as believe it has been, to
our fellow citizens. We now appeal to
our voters to express their appreciation
of our acts. We invite all who think
alike to unite with the Democracy in this
campaign. All who believe in liberal
laws and are opposed to legislative en-
croachment upon local self-government'
who advocate progressive policies, and
would encourage local enterprises, are
invited into our political fold.
One of the most important questions
for us to consider, viewed both in its
financial and political aspects, is the
growing disposition to deprive this city
of control of it's own municipal affairs.
Although we pay three-ffths of the
county tax, an old custom deprives us of
any representation on the Board of
County Commissioners, who expend
large sums on the bridges communicate
ing with our suburbs, as well as on the
county roads and the Jail. A statute
long ago suspended our ordinances, and
the city pays the costs of enforcing laws,
to the sheritfs. We thus pay for a
double policy. During the last Legisla-
ture, an act took away from our munich
pal officers all control over the voting
lists, and invested the power in a Board
of Registration appointed by the Cover
nor, and at an expense of several thous-
and dollars already to the city. And
now a bill is before the legislature divest-
ing our police commission of all power,
and creating board of a different char
acter, two members to be appointed by
the Governor, with snug little salaries
and perquisities for the city to pay.
1t seems to me that the time has come
for our people to consider seriously
whether it is wise to allow further at
tacks upon our municipal system of gov
eminent, without a protest. We hear
that commissions are better, or that the
Mayor needs more power. Both posi-
tons are, in my judgment, unsound and
insidious. The trouble is not in the
charter itself. An intelligent under
standing of municipal affairs and a will
lingness to accept and serve the city
faithfully are the best guarantees for a
successful administration. The Mayor
needs no more power. No commissions
are required, unless to create offices and
provide bills for the city to pay, if it's
representatives only do their sworn duty.
That the members of the present city
government have well and faithfully per-
formed their duties is generally conced-
ed, and cannot admit of any reasonable
doubt.
Let us recall a few of the matters