The Portland daily press., 1898-06-24
DEMOCRATIC NOMINEES.
Parssn Luther 7. Mckinney for
representative to Congress.
A STRADDLE ON THE FINANCIAL
QUESTION.

All the County Nominations Went by Ac-
Begging for Observation-Disclosures NcKin-
ney Tells the District Delegates He Will
Fight as if He Expected to Win.
| Harmonious inactivity was the ruling
spirit at the two Democratic conventions
held in this city yesterday. There was
at the county convention hardly ripple
of excitement, and the only enthusiasm
manifested from the time the delegates
were called to order till the motion to ad-
journ was put came when nominating
| speech-maker incidentally mentioned the
name of Bryan. In the district conven-
ton applause was lavished upon the con-
gressional nominee, but throughout 1.-THE
session there was noticeahiy lack of
anything sayoring, of old time Democra-
tic enthusiasm.
Even the opportunity for spirited de-
bate, which Democratic platform build
ing usually brings, was lost through an
adroit move of the resolutions committee,
in constructing convention platform
that faced both sides of the money ques-
ton.
In the county convention, which was
held in the Reception hall in the fore
| noon, all the nominations went by &C.
clamation, some of them without the for
mality of nominating speech.
1t was 10. IS when the convention got
fairly down to business, s.bsing called to
order by Mr.. silas Skillin, chairman of
the county committee. he invited Mr..
Warren q. Vinton of Gray, Democratic
patriarch, to the chair. and that gentle
man proceeded to deliver an address. He
occupied about fifteen minutes He said
| it was a credit to the party that such
large body should be assembled on this
unimportant occasion, when there We're
no contests over the nominations. "What-
ever may have been said of the Demo-
cratic party in the past, it is now clean
Marty" continued Chairman Vinton.
"They tell US that we have been losing
votes, and that this loss il due to the
great principles embodied in the platform
of our opponents. You all know better
than this. ALI the Republican news
papers and all the Republican orators on
the stump haven't changed Eve votes in
this state of Maine.
What, then. has depleted our partys
Why, we haven't been carrying elections
lately. Some men would rather be on the
winning side than to be right. Lots of
'trimmers' have left the Democratic party
and gone over to the Republican side,
simply because Of their desire for office.
Why, have known of whole town COM
mittees DESERVING us, because they thought
they saw q place for them on the board of
selectmen, the next year"
MIR. Vinton added that desire for office
among many Democrats, and base use of
money on the part of their opponents,
had resulted in bringing the Democracy
down to it's present hopeless condition.
He said the Democratic party had never
countenanced desertion, but the Re publ
can party had rewarded with office men
who have dropped from the ranks of the
Democracy.
MIR. I. A. Burke of Portland was chos-
en- temporary secretary.
The committee on credentials desired
Ii tile more time In which to make up its
report, and the convention was kept in
waiting few minutes while an attem pit
was made to drum up recruits with which
to fill vacancies in the delegations.
Finally the committee returned and re-
ported full delegations, with the exception
of Otist1eld and Yarmouth, which were
not represented in the convention.
On motion of Levi Greenleaf, Esq, of
Portland, the chairman appointed COM
1nittee on resolutions, the committee COM
prising Messrs. Greenleaf of Portland,
Philbrook of Brunswick, Kaler Of South
Portland, Frank of Gray and Brackett of
Cumberland. This committee, after
few minutes absence, adopted without de-
bate set of harmless resolutions, con-
tanning no reference to any issue that
would tend to provoke discussion in the
convention. The resolutions, which were
adopted without debate, were as follows;
We. the Democrats of Cum berland
county. in convention assem- bled, do here.
by resolve:
That it is the sentiment of this eonven-
ton that temperance and sobriety are es-
sentially necessary for the welfare and
prosperity of the people and we denounce
the Republican party's method of corrup-
ton and jobbery in dealing with the
cause of temperance in this county.
That we are opposed to the present par
tialitv practiced by the Republican coun-
ty officials in the enforcement of the laws
regulating the sale of Intoxicating liquors.
That we are In entire sympathy with
the patriotic statesmen Of both parties
who have espoused the great cause of
suffering and oppressed humanity in
Cuba. and believe tnat Americas attitude
in the great cause will have q salutary
effect on all despotic governments of the
world.
That we pledge our earnest support and
best efforts to the nominees of this con-
vention and invite the cooperation of all
citizens to join us in their support.
Chairman Vinton suggested that some
new plan be adopted this year in the Sc
lection of a county committee. 1t had
OUT OF FASHION,