The Portland daily press., 1895-10-31
CITIZEN STEERS"
And Their Picturesque Owner in
National Politics.
SOLON CHASE FOR THE POPULIST
PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE.

Political Figure To Be Urged for the
Nomination-It is Believed Western
popu1ists Will Support Him-ytews OF
His Maine Supporters.
ESPECIAL TO THE PREss.J
Lewiston, October 30.-A meeting of
old line greenbaackers, and of more recent
populists will be held some time during
the coming month here, probably at she
office of Hon. L. G. Bateman, of the
Maine Populist. The meeting will not
be convention, but consultation. and
will have a TWO fold object. to listen to
Solon Chase, and to ask him if he will
How the use of his name as president
ial candidate before the coming populist
national convention.
About two years ago Mr.. Chase made
the tour of the west as far as Denver, and
met many of the leading populists, and OF
course many of the old line green hackers.
They were impressed with the ability and
earnestness of the great Maine green
hacker, and he made hundreds OF fast
friends. OF late this acquaintance seems
to have profited him much, for there is
understood to be a strong Ii quiet move
ment in his favor through the west and
south, that may give him the presidential
of his party. This fact OF
southern and western support has served
to encourage his friends in the east, who
believe that the time has come to present
his name and to press his claims for pres
idential nomination. and with this feel
ing in view w. III. Mclaughlin, of
Scarboro, few weeks ago came out in an
interview strongly urging his noml-
nation. Mr.. Mclaughlin spoke for the
Maine supporters Of Mr.. Chase, and the
response to the suggestion OF
the name of the Maine populist and ex-
greenbacker was so general, and so strong,
" in his favor, that a more formal stand
will now be taken. The only objection
made to Mr.. Chase as candidate was his
age but he is very vigorous, and fully
equal 10 his friends say to the making OF
a very active campaign in the event OF
his nomination. In that event he would
have no difficulty in speaking through
the south and west where the bulk OF the
populist campaign will be made.
1t is understood that at the coming
meeting Mr.. Chase will speak at some
length, and that he will outline what in
his opinion should be the policy of the
government for the next four years. He
is expected to touch on all the leading
issues of the day, and his speech will in
effect be made to the populist party OF
the United States as it is sure to receive
the widest possible publicity through the
press.
There are not very large number OF
men who have been mentioned in con-
nection with the popullst presidential
A year ago Ex-Governor
Waite was named, but no dropped out OF
sight some time ago, and recently sus-
pended the publication OF his paper.
would hardly be thought of seriously,
and Colonelss1 Jessie Harper, lacks the
national reputation enjoyed by Scion
Chase. General Weaver is not now fav-
orably regarded, and Mr.. Chase is left al
most the last man likely, it is thought,
to unite the old line greenbackers and the
present populists. His friends count
much on the fact that he is farmer. ana
they expect that the farmer delegates to
the National Convention will rally to his
support.
There is single objection likely to be
made to the nomination of Mr.. Chase.
and his Maine supporters say that 1t
should not be allowed to stand for mo-
ment in the way of hi s nomination. He
supported Mr. Blaine lOr bno preSluoucy,
and in his support wrote his famous let
ter in which he spoke of Mr. Blaine es
'sThe Great Commoner. Ills friends
claim that no explanation is needed be-
yond what Mr.. Chase at the time gave.
There was general breaking up OF part
les and Mr.. Chase found himself 2lacti-
cally forced to choose between Mr.. Blaine
and Mr. Cleveland, and therefore advo-
Gated the election of Blaine. but at the
time said that he had not changed his
views.
The position of Mr.. Chase is likely to
be this He will not oppose the presen-
tation of his name at the National Pop
ulist Convention, but beyond the making
of his speech to his Maine friends will do
nothing to secure the nomination. II
he will do his best, and will
speak generally through the country.
The wide spread publication of his speech
will probably show the extent OF his
boom in the country at large, but just
now his friends are confident, and there
seems to be no doubt that he is at this
time being talked of all over the country
as the most available candidate Of his
party.
uWIJ T pOPTI, AMI DOpTITJSS saw