The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-07-27
SMALL GATHERING
At Saturdays Democratic County
Convention.


Resolutions Ignore the Money Cues
tiop.
1t YVES somewhat small but none the
less picturesque body which assembled
Saturday forenoon as the Democratic
county convention of Cumberland
county.
Silas Skillin, of Falmouth, aud John
B. Kehoe of Portland, respectively chair
man and secretary Of the county COM
mittee, were the most important tunc-
tionarios in tho earlier proceedings; and
there isn't much doubt that they were
powers behind the throne during the
whole convention.
William N. Dow, of Gray, and Winfield
S. Crowley, OF Westbrook were appointed
chairman and secretary.
AS Chairman Dow came forward his
nlld-mnnnered and sudbued demeanor
augured tame assenblage. But when
no opened his mouth and the stentorian
and defiant tones Of his voice resounded
through the ranks of the unterrified, it
became evident that Messrs. Skillin and
kehoe had not been mistaken when they
picked out their prophet.
81 told my friends before the Chicago
convention began Chairman Dow,
that whatever action that body might
take, it would never make Republican
of me (Applause.) l despise their party,
their legislation, their principles Gap
pause And il there Is anyone here
whom the Chicago convention has made
q Republican, l will invite him here and
now to leave the hall cloud applause
And let me tell you that all the boilers
are not from the Democratic party.
know scores Of Republicans who declare
that they will never vote the ticket again.
For every Democrat we lose, we shall
gain ten good Republicans
The temporary organization had scarce
ly been made permanent when Alexander
Higgins. the Mirabeau of Soarboro, arose
and impressiyely addressed the conven-
ton thus:
II want every man in Maine to remem-
ber that when Alexander Higgins goes
under the sod, he goes there as Demo-
GRAFT. (Applause.) Notwithstanding the
treaohery Of leaders of the past, who have
led US up to the polls for selfish purposes,
have voted for the party. But will
never support a policy that dishouors
Democratic traditions (Murmurs of dis
sent.)
Here Chairman Dow interrupted Mr..
Higgins with the suggestion that he was
out of order, no question being before
the convention.
Messrs. Wilson and Jordan, of Port
and, came to the rescue Of MIR. Higgins,
urging that he be heard.
Mr.. Kehoe suggested that Mr.. Higgins
should have a chance when the platform
should be adopted.
This prevailed and Mr.. Higgins took
his seat.
e. G. Jordan then moved that they pro-
coed to the nomination of county COM
missioner. He said that this office had
grown greatly, until it deals with qUes-
tions of the first business Importance, in
volving large expenditures. A first class
business man was needed for the place.
The office dealt with location of rail-
roads, widening Of streets, payment of
large damages, the building of bridges.
ana the running of business industry
at the Jail. The office deals with $24O. 900
a year. The question that should come
up was whether the man was good for
the place, not whether the place was good
for the man. Locality had been consult
cd too much in the selection of commits
sioners. Portland pays two-thirds Of the
taxes, and ought to have two thirds of
the Offices. Therefore he would nomi-
nate John L. Brackets, of Portland, a
business man Of experience and standing.
Mr. Brackatt was nominated by ao-
clamation.
The nominations for Senators being in
order, Mr. John B. Kehoe nominated
Capt. Charles II. Chase for Senator from
the Portland district; and Mr. Joseph Il.
MCGOWAN seconded it, on the ground
that the ablest and best men should be
selected for the State Senate.
The other senatorial districts were slow
about coming forward with their nomi-
nees, SO on motion of j. Henry Bradley
they were given ten minutes within
which to select their nominees.
After the recess the following names
were repor ted
Edward A. Gibbs, of Bridgton.
VIM. n. Dow, of Gray.
Edwin E. Heckbert, of South Portland.
The nominations Of all these, and of
Captain Chase, were made by acolama-
ton.
Mr.. Heckbert made an effort to decline
but the convention would not hear to 1t.
While the mattor was hanging in the bal
ance, Mr.. Terence MoGoWau arose and
eulogizad Mr.. Heekbert briefly as a
young man who was intellectual and
clean. whose reputation had gone forth
beyond the county and even beyond the
State. And also he had an agreeable
reputation at the bar-at the legal bar.
loud laughter).
Mr.. Alexander Higgins, of Scarboro,
also arose and @eulogized Mr.. Heckbert
for few moments, and then switched off