Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-03-02
REED VS.. 0LNEY.
Hon. Joseph H. ManIey Com
pareS Man of Maine
And the Man of Massachusetts as
Presidential Candidates.
IN Able Article. and One That Speaks Volumes
for Mr. Reed.

The following able article from the pen
of Hon. Joseph H. Marley of Augusta,
was published in the Boston Journal.
March /:
So far as New England is concerned.
members Of the two great political parties
will present to their respective national
conventions the claims of two citizens Of
New England for the Presidential nomi-
nation
The choice Of the Democracy of New
England will be the Honorable Richard
Olney, the present secretary of state; and
the Republicans Of New England will.
with q unanimity which never before oc-
Cured in the history Of the Republican
party, present a solid delegation favoring
the nomination of the Honorable Thomas
b. Reed OF Maine.
Mr.. Olney is gentleman in the prime
Of life, who hos always acted with the party
which has 50 conspicuousiy honored him
with the great offices of attorney general
and secretary of state. Prior TO his enter
ing Mr.. Cleveland's cabinet, in 1898, he
had never held public Office.
He was a lawyer practicing at the Suf-
folk bar, taking high rank in his profes-
SlOb'aIu pTt-ClulDenI as Il cOrDO-
ration counsel. He has been the attorney
of many trust interests. was counsel for
the Atchson 81 Topeka Railroad. and has
for many years been the counsel Of the
Boston Il Maine Railroad system. He wa
particularly well adapted to this line of
professional work.
He is man learned in the law, a
natural fighter, belligercnt, thoroughly
enjoying contest, unyielding, possessing
no spirit of compromise, tenacious, having
what is known in popular Language a
bull dog" spirit. BY the force of his
merits, he won his way to the front rank
in his profession and secured for himself
practice both lucrative and honorable.
He was much better fitted for the high
office of attorney general than for that of
secretary of state, but it is only just to say
that he has discharged the duties of his
present office much better than his public
life would seem to warrant. Still, be can
not be called model secretary of state
He does not believe in the ways and
methods of diplomacy. He is not be-
lever in the theory that language should
be used to conceal thought. and his blunt
and undiplomatio and undigniffed letter
to Lord Salisbury upon the Venezuelan
question illustrates his unadaptability to
guide the affairs of state.
Mr.. Olney occupies prominent social
position, and is a gentleman of high cbarac-
ter and rugged integrity. He Is an old
fashioned Democrat, and not in sympathy
with the Democratic party of today.
In fact, upon nearly every public ques-
tion he stands for what the Democratic
party does not stand for and he represents
in politics what the Democratic party has
repudiated.
He is natural arstocrat, and has moth
ing in common with the plain people. He
has no sympathy with the Populistic
tendencies Of his party, and would make n
much better President than candidate
He has the courage of his convictions; he
is firm even to obstinacy, but he does not
possess the grace Of tolerancy for the opn-
ions of others.
He has not wide acquaintance with
public men, nor can he be called versed in
public affairs. He is unquestionably the
strongest man in President Cleveland's
cabinet, and undoubtedly the most trusted
adviser of the present Chief Magistrate of
the nation.
While he may receive the Endorsement
of the Democracy of New England for the
Presidency, he cannot receive the nomina-
ton at the hands of the Democratic ma
Continued on pase2