Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-03-07
NOT A SUCCESS.
The PIaisted Rally Proves
Unexpectedly Tame.
A Fair Crowd But no Enthu-
siasm on Tap.
An Ovation and Vindicafi0n That
An Ovation and vindicati0n That
Did Not Materialize.

ABOUT 800 people gathered at CITY
hall last evening to hear Mayor flals-
| teas defence of his administration and
his appeal Tor q third term. Many
pr ointment Republicans We're in the
audience and there was quite a cius-
ter Of ladies' in one of the galleries. AS
a campaign rally it was fiat and tame.
and vas unqueStiOnably Il bitter dis
appointment to the Democratic man
ayers The mayor was given 4 good
burst Of applause when he appeared.
but ,,lr answer to the call for cheers
was Of 4 very lukeWarm ana perfume
tory sort.
III. loyal Democrats present We're
disappointed in the very mild ana
guarded tone OF the mayors utteranceS.
Possibly the preso nee Of Il stenosrapher
in tho front row of seats had de-
pressing effect on his usual exubcr-
ance ana eloquence. It had been OK
pectcI that ne would Skin 'em alive"
but there was nothing of the kind, no
fireworks al all. Then the fire alarm
vas an unfortunate interruption. cauS
ing many to leave the hall and break
ing UP the meeting to a large extent.
On the stage were seated w. J.
Skehan, Robert Morang. +. Z. New
bert, z. G. Doe, Jos. Williamson. Reuel
j. Noycs. Frank Simmons, Thos. J.
Lynch. ]. +. Fuller, C. b. Johnson, A.
S. or +. c. CARL Robert Pope and
F. X. Courtemarch. Mr.. Skehan called
the meeting to order and Mr.
CARL spoke briefly in presenting the
mayor Some of the gentlemen on the
stage. only went there after much
urging. but ii is only fair to say that
they made a good looking semi-circlc.
one thing which had evidently been
planned with much care. went wrong
ard it was re ally too bad. Alderman
Slscllan. who is posing * a cruelty
abused rldrtvr since the Journals OK
posure If his extensive business rcla-
tons with the city. was booked for 2
'vindicat ton" at the hands Of the
crowd. Twice tie opportunity was
giren. but somehow the crowd did NOT
seem To catch on to what was expected
OF It. 1t vas he who led the procession
Of diCnitaries to the stage but not
4 single pair of hands We're clappcd III
recognition Of his appearance. Letter
he retired from the stage and when
Ma yor Pl;,steG was writing i'll right
eouS in iigration" at the wicked and
unjust attacks" upon Mr.. Skehan, he
came back through the door upon the
stage again. II was just the psyche
logical moment for the expected oTa-
ton in his honor, but there was not
a ripple from the audience. It was too
bad, for everybody likes Billy person.
ally and the crowd would gladly have
appiauded him if it had been told
what was wanted.
AS for the address of Mayor Plais-
ted, il occupied about an hour and 4
half, but it can be summed up brief
II without doing it any injustice. BY
far the larger part of his time was de-
voted to the work of permanent i'm
pi'ovements of the country highways
This 20 sc srr". figures hut little in the'
present campaign. but the audience
was glad to hear about the good work
done. These good roads were something
for which the whole city voted at
spccial election. and it was news to
all Of those present that Mayor Plais-
tea hos been criticized and con-
q, nlnrd-ls he claimed to have been
for his part in these improvements.
He explained the financial condition
Of the city and announced that tho
GIG had 1885, on nand March 4. The
matter Of outstanding bills was passed
over with the remark that he had no
fear but what they could be attended
10. No reference was made to the fact
that tho new state law about The col
lection Of taxes has brought them in
earlier than usual. 50 that the showing
cannot we'll help being good in that
respect Another important omission
was the absence of any reference to
double office holding. the campaign is