The Portland daily press., 1898-09-02
YORK COUNTY POLITICS.
Some observations By a Native of the
Shire.

county leads the hasty observer to fancy
that big political fight is on theirs. The
contrary is the case-the fight mostly per-
sonal and entirely confined to the cities of
Saco and Biddeford.
reveal no secret in saying that usually
there Is more politics to the acre in Bidde-
ford than elsewhere in New England.
Political fights there in times past have
been waeed with f1erceness bordering
on savagery. Friends of long standing
have been estranged, and even families
broken up. But this year the conditions
are changed. Though the Democratic
Record (by the way, very bright paper)
is making mis-statements with q reck-
lessness that recalls the fight few years
ago when the Standard flourished and
was furled, nobody takes its campaign
stories seriously. Everybody knows chat
its show of anger is largely affectation
and purely for advertising purposes. The
men who conduct it are intelligent news
paper men who realize the necessity of
making time while the campaign is pro-
crossing: though they really make no step
forward. The Record is not half so
wicked paper as it pretends. The
journal, as Is its wont pursues an even
and dignified course, and does not permit
itself to be provoked to personalities
though do sometimes wonder how 1t re-
sisJs the provocation. It discusses politics
with care and sound Judgment; thereby
retaining the esteem of its Democratic as
we'll as it's Republican readers.
Y Ia fortnight ago the Democratic man
ayers entertained hope Of electing their
candidates for sheriff and for county at
torney. That hope has been abandoned.
1t was based upon dissatisfaction with
alleged Partially in the enforcement of
the prohibitory Ii quor law-an allegation
that may be true; for ever since I knew
Biddeford land that is along time) the
liquor law has been tool in the hands
of politicians. When Democrats governed
the city, Republicans who attempted to
sell rum were shut out from the profits of
the traffic. When Republicans regained
control Democratic liquor dealers were
put under ban. That was the condition;
and very ikley now is. The controversy
going on has recalled these conditions to
the memory of men; aud they see that
whichever party prevails.the liquor traffic
will be pursued, and prosecuted with
more or less favoritism. So they turn to
larger issues. Certainly nothing can be
expected from the Democrats, who al
ways used the grog shops for recruiting
stations when they were in power.
Outside Biddsford, where this nasty
rum question is continually obtruded-
and Saco, where considerable oompli-
mentary vote will be cast for Mr.. Lord,
whom all his neighbours hke-there will
be little falling off in the Republican
vote. Nor do believe there will be much
increase of Democratic strength. Ths
country towns will vote as usual; and
that means that York county will throw
at least thousand Republican majority.
This is of course guess; but.the guess of
an observer who knows something of both
parties and the prevailing conditions, and
who believes himself tolerably free from
political bias.
a Il ITO dSSktuAUo dPOh oiiO SAuJ AAdL6ua1 VI
#Bfddeford, MIR. Harmon, are entirely of
aopersonal nature, and arise from old
qsiarrels that have no place in this cam
paign. They are .vindictive and to i'm
partial men who know their origin seem
contemplate. So far as have been able
to ascertain the police administration Of
Blddeford has never teen better than
now. Fair minded people say that Mar
shall Harmon, despite those faults of
temper he is the readiest to admit, is one
of the bsst executive officers the city has
ever had.
The trouble with Biddeford in the past
has been that its politicians in their lust
iorspower have SO publicly abused each
other and tn emselves that people beyond
is gates have begun to look upon it as
given over to the devil. That furious
temper, I am glad to see, lis passing
away The beautiful CITY is a good city.
too; and undeserving the vile epithets its
unworthy sons have heaped upon It,
ALFRED YORK.
THE BOTANICAL SOCIETY.
Waterville. September 1.-The annual