The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1901-02-22
Mr.. Charles S. Fobes
Then Nominated.
He Also Refuses to Accept the
Honor.

The Republican mayoralty convention
which WAS held yesterday afternoon In
the Reception hall or the City building
adjourned alter session OF two hours
without selecting a candidate for mayor.
The matter was finally left to repressn-
tative committee from each ward in the
city who will meet this morning to dis
ouss the matter aud Will undoubtedly
unite upon some candidate for mayor
whom the convention viii nominate.
when the convention met at four
O'Clock there was a large crowd present.
Chairman Frank l. Moore OF the hepub-
loan city committee, called the conven-
tion to order ana MILFORD G. Chapman
was selected to act as temporary chair
man and Harry ri, Bigelow as temporary
secretary of the convention. A commit
tee on credentials was appointed consist
Ing OF Messrs Staples, Webb and knight,
/ who reported forty-flve delegates entitled
to seats In the convention. The roll was
then called and 1t was found that ward
ones delegation was present, as was
ward two's delegation. In ward three
Peter 5. Nickerson was substituted for
David Il. Corser; in ward four Benjamin
f. Crossman for Henry q. Elliot; In
ward 1--WE Eben True for Charles r..
Libby, and Charles ID. Drummond for j.
ii. Drummond; in ward seven George w.
Norton was substituted for George =.
RoweI; in ward eight Scott Wilson for
Silas Adams, while ward Mines delega'
tion was present,
The temporary organization was then
made permanent and MIR. Chapman an
nounosd that the convention was ready
to prooe ed to business.
| MIR. Scott OF ward eight after a silence
of some minutes took the floor and
moved that the convention nominate
James p. Baxter by reclamation. Before
putting the motion Mr.. Chapman took
from his pocket q letter from MIR. Baxter
which he read to the c invention. This
letter was as follows!
| AS am informed that q nomination t.
the high office of Mayor OF Portland Will
| be rendered me by your convention, i
desire TO express to you my deep sense OF
the proposed honor, and To give my rea.
sens for being unable to avail myself OF
1T.
The business interests OF the city have
become so large and complex, that, II
accepted the nomination SO generously
proposed. and received an election, i should
esteem 1t my duty TO devote my entire
time and thought to the business details
of the corporation at the head OF which
was placed. Realizing this, and at the
same time gratefully appreciating the
high confidence in me which your pro
posed action denotes, 1t is with sincere
regret that private business affairs al
present pressing me, prevent my accep'
| lance Of a nomination. With sentiments
of personal regard to the members OF the
convention, am
Very truly yours,
James p. Baxter.
This letter was great surprise K
many In the convention as the report bad
been industriously circulated during the
afternoon that MIR. Baxter would accept
the nomination. After another pause,
MIR. ]. N. Read OF ward eight moved that
the convention proceed to ballot for a
candidate for mayor. A committee con.
sisting of j. N. Head, Frank II. Little
and George W. Norton, was appointed tc
receive, sort and count the votes.