The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1900-08-29

The first gun in the political campaign
IN South Portland was fired by the DEM
ocrats last evening at the Union Opera
House where about 100 people assembled.
Chambers band was present and en-
ivened the proceedings by several selec-
tions which tended to keep up the spirits
OF the listeners. Hiram Dyer, chairman
Of the city committee, called the meeting
TO order and introduced as chairman of
the meeting, Elgin @. Verrill candidate
for the legislature. Mr.. Verril said the
state had entered upon career of ex-
travagance under Republican rule and
in the decade just passed with a progress
in population had come an Increased
burden Of taxation. 1t was now the IN
tention of the Republicans to saddle upon
US a new state officer to be known as
state auditor. There was no need of in
stailing an auditor unless the governor S
council was abolished. Touching county
IN alters MIR. Verril was of the opinion
that sheriff fees should go to the county
and not into the pockets OF the sheriff
He pledged himself to economy and
thought we had already too many office
holders. He took up national issues and
saw growing expenses IN every depart
ment, taxes be coming uncomfortable, and
commissions and appointments made for
new offices in Cuba and Philippines to
take IN almost all creation. We are de-
parting from the policy of Winding our
own business and leaving the old anchor
age IN following after the institutions of
monarchy. 1t was just as much Eng
land right in.the days long past to force
upon US a government not to our liking
as it is our right to now force upon bar
barians in the Philippines our system of
government. The war with Spain might
perhaps be justidable but not the Phil
ippine war which had already cost the
people over $3.50, 600, 600 and it looked as
If 1t had just begun, involving an In
creased army and navy-a menace to Re
publican institutions and weapon for
designing men to get US into war. The
Kearsarge and Kentucky are fair to look
upon but they cost US $4,000 900 apiece
three times the valuation of South Port
land and Cape Elizabeth. If tn is career
of imperialism is carried on the man who
produces the wealth will toll and labor
with a soldier or Office holder on his back.
Referring to Bryan ne said he was an
honest man who would be with his
country If right and If not would try TO
put his country right and not like Sena-
tor Frye "be with his country right or
wrong Bryan was an expansionist
after the pattern of Thomas jefferson
but not a governmental pirate who would
hold on to people not protected by the
constitution. The flag and the constitu-
tion should go together said Mr.. Verrill
and this principal he applied to Porto
Rico and referring to remark of Mr..
Grosvenor's that Bryan was a traitor for
opposing imperialism the speaker ask ed
is Thomas b. Reed a traitor or are
George S. Boutwell, and Senator Hoar
traitors because not in sympathy with
fhe Mckinley administration in it's i'm
perialstic poIicyP Mr.. verrill closed
with an earnest appeal to all to so vote
as to bring us back to the days of the
Declaration OF Independence and the cor.
stitutlon of the United States.
At the conclusion of Mr.. Verrill's
speech. Chandler's band played an in
spring air after which Mr.. Nathan
Clifford, candidate for county attorney,
was introduced and was well received.
Mr.. Clifford said he was pleased to speak
in South Portland for 1t was tho scene of
almost his first political rally and touch
ing local matters asked his hearers If
they were satisfied with the enforcement
of the liquor law. He pointed out how
Sheriff Despeaux had gone around and
said to the liquor sellers, give me so
much money ana you can do business Ii
the people want the law enforced they
should vote for Mr. Barton. The law
could be enforced and this was demon
strated by ex-Mayor Dsering In the city
of Portland. If you do not like the law
vote for Mr.. Verrill who If elected will
take his p lace with the re-submissionists
and get the question settled by the votes
of the people on a constitutional amend
ment. Mr.. Clifford paid his respects to
Mr. Moulton and said he was a new COM
err who no doubt would try and do the
best he could but he belonged to a ring
which was a good deal like a trust.
The last speaker of the evening was
Frank K. Foster OF Boston, editor of the
Liberator, who in very eloquent man
nsr discussed pending issues from a So
cialistic standpoint. He didn't care a
continental for any politician and was in
terested in the campaign because all the
questions affect the social system. He
stood however upon the platform adopted
at Kansas City and voiced his sentiments
in behalf of that champion of the COM
mon people who was to be the next Pres
ident of the United States, William j.
Bryan. (Applause.)
He thought the keynotes of the cam
paign were sounded by Hanna, whom he