The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-07-22
REGULAR HAIR TANGLE.
Meeting Of Democratic Clieftains
at Augusta Last Night.
GENTLEMEN ALL PROFESS TO BE
PLAIN SPOKEN.

& tempt at Mincing Words-Final Result
is However That Mr.. WinsIow VIII
accept Nomination on Gold Platform
ESPECIAL TO THE PREss.1
Augusta, July 21.--A meeting, the
like of which has probably seldom been
seen in the history of Maine politics was
that Of the Democratic state committee
and the chiefs of the tribes of gold and
silver, Winslow and Sewall here tonight.
II 1t was hot out doors it was hotter in
the parlor of the Augusta house. as the
meeting progressed and expressions of
opinion became more and more emphatic.
He heated describes the weather-hotter
and hottest fits some of the arguments.
Statements wero made which were de-
clared not to be threats. If they were NOT
threats they were promises of bolt, for
Mayor Hanson of Belfast declared in
plain terms that he could not juggle with
gold and silver balls.
Many of the old war horses were out
and many OF the younger Democracy.
There was the venerable Ex-Governor
Garoelon, who made a free silver speech,
md with him was another ex-governor,
Gen. H. M. Plaisted, whe arrived wear
ing on his head one of those big canvas
helmets seen in pictures of men hunting
Tigers in the jungles. Perhaps the ex-
governor thought this head gear appro-
pirate for the occasion. From Portland,
Collector Deering was on hand and made
a vigorous support of Candidate WinsloW.
With him came one of the war horses,
Capt. Charles H. Chase and among the
other Portlanders in attendance were
National Committeeman DR.. Seth G.
Gordon, Spencer Rogers, Luther B.
Roberts, V. O. Wilson, E. S. Osgood,
Charles MCCARTHY, Gen.J. j. Lynch, DR..
A. W. Smith, Col. A. W. Bradbury, j.
W. Peterson, Oscar R. Wish and Post
master Swett. From other places were:
r. NJ. Mason. Auburn, George e.
Hughes, Bath; G, Vey Holman, South
Thomaston; Z. G. Plummer, Ba th;
Edwin Sto ne. Biddeford; George B.
Haley, Saoo; Tristram Goldthwaite, Bid
deford; Henry Hudson. Guilford; A. j.
Hathaway, Houlton; John B. Madigan.
Houlton; Charles f. johnson, Water
vile; W.~R. Hunnewell, Pittsfeld; Asa
Warren. Bangor; VIM. A Roberts, Bid
deford; F. B. Tory. Bath; Z. f. Han
son, Belfast; s. W. Gould, Skowhegan;
Charles Baker, Belfast; Peter @. Keegan,
Van Buren,; Enoch W. Whitcomb, Far
mington; f. W. Clair. Waterville; NJ. l..
i'm no
Bangor; Fl. ID. Plaisted, Bangor; Russell
u. Woodman, Wessbrook; Kimball East
man. Westbrook; John Scott Bath.
OF those who were present, perhaps the
man who took the keenest interest in the
discussion was Candidate Winslow. He
others appeared to be heated. Mr..
Winslow, himself was the subject of
much OF the talk, but he said nothi ing
himself. Somebody at the eleventh hour
called for him but this Was regarded as
too cruel and was greeted with cries of
"No." II Mr.. Winslow expected to get
any valuable light on the situation he
was disappointed. and the common
ground" Of which the speakers talked is
still a mirage of mingled gold and silver
Uints in desert of doubt and confusion.
OF those who were not present. the man
who probably awaited with the greatest
anxiety the news of the doings at this
love feast" was the Hon. Arthur
Sewall of Bath. One of his most ardent
supporters said that Mr. Sewall had not
come because he would not dictate.
That however, did not prevent his
writing numerous letters urging others
OF the free silver wing 60 turn out.
Perhaps Mr.. Madigan most aptly de-
soribed the meeting when he termed it
one called by the silver men to church
maui Mr.. Winslow."
Perhaps the funniest incident was the
scramble to see Messrs. Tillman and Alt
geld on pedestals, as patriots after
Charles Il. johnson had described them
as individuals Of different stripe.
And the upshot of 1t all was that
Candidate Winslow was told what he al
ready knew that there were men there
who demanded that he should either get
off the platform which represents his
views and onto another; or get off and
stay off, while he also received assurances
of the support Of the party.
After Chairman Hughes had called the
gathering to order. he introduced DR..
Gordon 60 tell the story of the Chicago
convention and to Doctor explained
again how and why he had voted Maine
| sol idly for Sewall
DR.. Gordon told the gathering that as
they knew the Maine delegation was op-
posed to the GU tcome at Chicago, ten
being pledged against the silver move
ment end they SO voted, sten to two in
favor of Senator Hill as temporarygchair-
man. They so voted ten to swo against
the platform, but when 1t come to voting
for President. four voted for Bryan, the
additional two votes being cast by gentle
men who felt that they could do as they
pleased after the adoption of the plat
form.
The final vote stood five for Pattison,
four for Rrvan and t;hrea Ont voting