Evening star., 1896-08-24
THE WHIRL OF POLITICS
Progress Of the Campaign as Viewed by
Star Correspondents in Many States.

the Bath custom house, and who Is one Of
Mr. SewalIs trusted lieutenants, says to
The Star correspondent:
From the reports which reach me from
many parts of the state am satisfied that
the September election will show very
material gain over our vote Of two years
ago and cut the republican majority to
about 10000. These gains will come from
the rural districts largely, but there are
many workingmen who will support the
free silver observation-disclosures who
nave heretofore acted with the republicans.
Can't Garry Bath.
Bath is so overwhelmingly republican
that the fact of Mr.. Sewall having been
nominated here will make no material
change in the vote. Two prominent repub-
licans have begun working for Bryan and
Sewall and several artisans have notified
me that they should stand in the democrat
1c ranks this fall. / should say that our
gains would amount to about seventy-five
In this city; any talk that we can carry
Bath Is absurd But the men we are gain
ing are men who are not to be purchased; /;
they think for themselves; they will stay
with us. In Portland and the other cities
our gains will be comparatively small. Our
chief gains will be made in the eastern
section of the state"
State Liquor Agent William Wakefield of
Bath Is generally recognized as one Of the
best informed republican politicians in
Maine. He says that Mr.. Sewalrs own
him two to one. Mr.. Wakefield thinks it
Is wrong to underestimate the silver
strength In Maine. and thinks the repubi
can plurality will be largely cut down from
two years ago. when 1t was over thirty
thousand. He says the republicans will
carry the state from 1900 to $1,000 plural
ity; that the republicans have never made
such an active canvass in Maine as will
be conducted during this campaign, and
that between now and election day nearly
Loo speeches will be made by republican
orators. Gold literature Is being circulated
from Augusta, and it is the intention Of
Chairman Manley Of the state committee
to reach every voter in the state.
Mr. SeSsnIIs Reserve.
1t is amusing to notice what a change
has come over Mr.. Sewall in regard 10 his
intercourse with Bath people He has been
regarded as a cold, distant man. and not
inclined to recognize people outside Of a
Favored few. Now. when he walks the
streets. he is bowling and smiling to all
whom he meets 1t Is said that at a recep-
tlor lately held IN Bath workman who has
been foreman in Mr. SewalTs shipyard
stepped up to shake hands with Mr.. Sew
all. and the latter said: What is your
name? do not seem to recognize you"
We'll. you ought to, Mr.. Sewall" replied
the Liam. Il have been your boss calker
for years"
Mr.. Sewall will probably use little more
diplo macy in the future.
Fair to His Men.
The story is circulated that a number of
workmen employed by Mr.. SewalI have
been discharged because during the late
heated term they refused to work with the
thermometer standing at 1O3. This story,
like the one which is extensively circulated
that the cut-lown Of 10 per cent on the
Maine Central railroad was due to the in
huence of Mr.. Sewall, should be- taken with
grain of salt. AS a matter of fact. Mr.
Sewalls friends say that in his business
he not only has paid good wages, but has
never had any trouble with his men, ex-
cept In one Instance, when he would not
listen to the demands of some skilled En-
glish' workmen, who wished him to boycott
Bath workingmen. In this instance 1t is
said the Englishmen were discharged, and
the job in question was finished by the
Yankee laborers.
L. c. Bateman. the populst candidate for
governor, Is continuing his bitter attacks
ulon MIR. Sewall. and has just written a
letter which represents Mr.. Sewall as a
millionaire, national bank president. and a
piutcorat Of plutocrats. This letter is to
be read at great meeting of populists to
be held in Texas September 8.