Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-06-23

Plum Trust In Halloweu taxes 0ecIdeo
form. The members Of the Piaisted faction,
feeling that the power Of the organization
had been used in an interruptions
manner to throw them down and ,
that With ~ free ballot and . fair
count their ticket would have been elected,
organized new caucus. elected = new city
committee, and prepared for vigorous
carrying Of the war into Africa. 1t il prob
able that contesting delegates will be elec-
ted by them to the State convention. Will
the Plaisted men in Augusta elect contest
ing delegation to the Stste convention
This is an interesting question and it is evil
dent that il the wide spread revolt Of the
Democratic rank and file, against the re-
maskable methods of the Plum Trust
is carried to its logical conclusion such
action may reasonably be anticipated.
1t would be entirely erroneous, however.
to imagine that the remarkable scenes en-
acted Thursday evening in the Democratic
caucuses at Hallowell and Augusta are ct all
peculiar to those two cities. They were
simply local outcroppings Of deep seated
Democratic discomfort with party manage
ment that extends throughout the State. 1t
il the old battle of the outs
". the ins, in . considerably az
gravated form. When the present Dem
ocratic state committee was elected, the
duties of it, members were supposed to
appertain exclusively to the matters of party
organization. 1t 10 doubtful il any of the
hungry and thirsty members Of the party
conclave thst voted them into Office. ever
dresmed that they would take to themselves
the right Of distributing the Federal patron
age Of Maine, but such was the fact. True
Democrats are never backward in assum-
ing responsibilities Of this character. When
the Democratic State committee met after
the presidential election, the anomalous
though not surprising, fact was revealed
that IL of its l6 members were candidates for
federal Offices. Up to date nearly all of its
members, or their immediate relativee,
have been taken care of.
1t was at once seen that il the distribution
Of plums were to be the sole business of
of the committee a new organization must
be perfected. The committee, therefore.
formed themselves into close corporation
generally and appropriately known as
1.-THE Maine Plum Trust" It's
meetings, Of course. were secret; but
from what has since leaked out, it is pre-
sumed that the proceedings took somewhat
the following form:
WHEREAS, The duties of this committee,
henceforth appertsiu exclusively to the dis
tribution of the Federal patronage in Maine,
therefore be it
Resolred, That this committee be dis
solved, and we, its members organize a
close corporation to be hereafter known
a. the maine Plum Trust"
Resolved, That the best Federal offices
in our State should be given to the Flower
Of the Maine Democracy.
Resolved, That we are the Flower Of the
Maine Democracy.
Resolred, That no office be awarded " it'll
out Our endorsement.
Resolved. That such offices a. are left
after the Flower of the party has had its
pick, be awarded in a judicious manner
among those who have been faithful to the
interests of the Trust.
One man only of the l6 members of the
former State committee frowned upon
this platform. Sparticus Jones of Waterville
was not candidate for any Federal Office.
lie held different opinion from his asso-
ciates as to the duties that properly belong
ed to the members of a Democratic State
committee. and coldly inquired,
what are we here for?'
They answered him with one accord
"For plums?" and, as he still held him
self aloof they straightvay froze him out
of the Plum Trust. Thus it came about
that there were two distinct organic atoms
in the Maine Democracy, the State
committee, represented by Mr.. Jones.
and the Plum Trust, represented
by the Is gentlemen who had formerly
been associated with him 10 party work. 1t
wss 4 trying position for Mr.. Jones. To
be chairman, secretary and treasurer, of 90
important an organic alton was too great a
burden for one man to carry. Mr.. Jones
therefore resigned his position in letter
setting forth, in succinct and somewhat
caustic manner, the considerations that i'm
PEELED him to such action. Thus the Dem
ocratic State committee became thing of
the past, and the Plum Trust held undis-
puted possession of the field.
1t 10 the work Of electing 4 new State
committee that i now stiRring up an I'M
wonted howl in Democratic Rome. The Dem
ocratic State convention at Lewiston, next
Tuesday, promises to be one of the raciest
gatherings ever held in Maine. Already the
rumble Of the approaching storm is heard on
the political horizon. The Crackers are nu-
merous. They have declared the most
vigorous war upon the Plum Trust
and it's adherents and will 70 to the conven-
ton at Lewiston prepared to fight it out.
There 10 large sized probability that their