Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-04-18

Tive service of that eminent statesman
George Evans, one of the few mer
whom Webster regarded as his equa
in the Senate, and to whom he paid the
great compliment of saying that Mr.
Evans was the ablest findncier or tha'
body: and it seemed at that time Wher
Mr.. Evans left the House in lS42 thai
his long term of service Us our repre-
sentative in that body would never bt
matched. But it was later equalied by
that statesman by intuition, whose
memory and achievements are fresl
and cherished by the people of the
Kennebec district and by the country
james G. Blaine.
| 1t is, indeed, a notable district.
/ The present incumbent has equalled
| in term of service, those OF Evans ano
| Blaine; and if he has another term
as he will-hc will have ronndness
and completeness of public service ir
| :he House of Representatives which
alike reflects honor to him and to the
constituency that supports him.
| Mr. Chairman, / present to this con
venton, as its nominee for Congress
! the name of an able. graceful and AK
perienced statesman, active and intu;
entail in the halls of Congress, talented
in debate. distinguished for industry
in all his duties, whose public career
has attracted the attention of tn,
country, who has grown steadily il
popular favor from the day of his en-
| trance in Congress. with increasing
reputation and influence, who believes
| in the system of protection to Ameri-
can labor and American INDUSTRY, who
| sfni1 IL wit oil I, force md "a
and who is in the full maturity of al
his powers-thc Honorable Seth l.
Millken. Nong and Continued APP
plause anu enthusiasm).
Mayor Webb was followed by ex-
Senator SpoffOrd of Deer Isle. Mr.
Spofford. who is fluent speaker. in al
easy and very graceful manner and in a
speech which was frequently inter
rupted by outbursts of applause, sec
ondcd the nomination of Mr.. Milikcn
! The question then being on the mo-
ton of the gentleman from Waterville
| (Mayor Webb) to nominate Mr. MAJ
ken by reclamation. it was submitted
to vote of the convention and the Chain
declared MIR. Millken the nominee OF
the convention. amid much enthrsi-
assn.
Chairman Haines: will john Som
ersley of Bar Harbor. please escort the
honorable gentleman and nominee 81
the convention to the platforin?'
| Mr.. Somersby did it very gracefully
and the appearance of Mr.. Mih.nen on
the stage was the signal for continued
rounds of applause. which clearly In
Dictated Mr.. Milliken's popularity with
his constituents.
| Chairman Haines: Gentlemen ii
the convention. | have now the pleas
ure and honor to introduce to you
your nominee for Congress from the
Third district (Applause).
When Mr.. Milliken stepped upon the
platform he received a perfect ovation
| He said:
| Gentlemen of the convention:
know that | need not assure you that
the unanimous denomination which
YOU have So kindly and generously
conferred upon me today, eXcites both
my gratitude and pride.
| Indeed every member of the Maine
deiega ton in Congress has reason t.
feel that he has been exceptionally
honored by the confidence reposed il
him and the trust which has been con
iided to him by his State. With few
exceptions this has been true from the
days of Evans. Hamlin and Fessendei
TO the present time.
And | think it is fair to say. leaving
MYSELF out of the case of course, that
| Maine has been held in the highest
| esteem! for the position which she has
! held in the council halls of the nation
as well as for the genius. intelligence
land enterprise of her sons, thrown opei
| fields of private industry and enter
prise. whether here in our own state ~
where they have established theii
homes in other communities. to SOW
the seeds of an advanced civilization
and lie the leaders in great benefac-
tons.
In this respect no state, great OF
small, has cXcellcd her. In nearly
every avocation. both public ano
private. she has stood at the front.
And in all this the third Compression
al district has hcid a most honorable
position. \ district which has Givcl
to the country, Evans. Williams. Scv-
erancc, the Morrils, and that wise ant
most brilliant of American statesmen
| with a mind whose precedence ano
forecast has been surpassed by NJ
public man Of our time, the projectol
of the convention of the American
nations the author of reciprocity 81
beneficial to the country until a Demo
cratic President and Congress destroy q
it; the prince Of parliamentary disput
ants and the most accomplished diplo-
matists, James G. Blaine has PLACED
the nation under high obligations to il
land is one which the greatest and bes1
of us should be proud to represent OF
to be a citizen of. (Applause) re
thank you cordially and earnestly fol
making me again the standard bearer
in such 4 district. of the great Repub
lcan party of whose grand record ana
present attitude we are all SO proud
is to make you but a small return fol
your generosity and kind considera-
ltion.
To serve you, the State and the
country faithfully and to the full ex-
tent of my ability is. perhaps. a better
return and the best that l can make.
To the Republican party the thru
district of Maine has never proved
recreant. In being true to it our peo-
pie have been true to the soundest
political doctrines. the wisest policies
and the highest interests as well a.
the honor and glory of the republic.
The Republican party has been the
party of construction, while the Demo
cratic party, since it fell entirely into