The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1910-04-21
ARDENT ENTHUS|ASMF FOR
ASHER c. KINDS
Prominent Men of Portland We're
There and Promised Their Aid En-
Enthusiastically.

Saturday evening an informal re-
ception was arranged for Asher c.
Kinds in Portland. The Sunday
Press reports the affair as follows:
For a candidate almost on the eve
of the caucus to risk a show of
strength publicly would appear to
most politicians to be tempting fate.
1t might be a fizzle and. If it happened
to be, the candidate would be badly
handicapped. 1t is doubtful if the
thing has ever been attempted be-
fore,-not in Portland anyway.
But last Saturday evening an in
formal reception was arranged by
the friends of Asher C. Kinds. who
arrived here from Washington Friday
noon. Mr.. Kinds knew nothing about
it until he got here. A general notice
was given out that the reception
would take place in the Congress
Square hotel at o'clock and it shows
how confident the Kinds men are of
thei, strength when it is said that
there was no feeling of nervousness
over the result.
Before o'clock the crowd began to
for its numbers, but the character of
those who composed it. The reception
room on the top floor of the hotel was
filled. They began coming at o'clock
and they kept coming on until after 10
o'clock. 1t was indeed a remarkable
demonstration, not only of the Kinds
strength, but of the personal regard
in which Mr.. Kinds is held in this
city
Not only were many of the city's
leading and professional men present,
but there were men at this reception
from Gorham, Westbrook, Yarmouth,
Falmouth. South Portland and even
from York county.
Mr.. Kinds entered the reception
room, which was packed to the doors,
little after o'clock. His appearance
was the signal for an outburst of ap-
plause which greatly embarrassed the
big broad shouldered Portland man.
although he Is not often embarrassed.
But this greeting was SO enthusiastic
and 80 spontaneous that for a minute
or two Mr.. Kinds showed how greatly
1t was appreciated by him.
In response to this greeting from
these representative Republicans of
Portland Mr.. Kinds made a brief
speech, not exactly a speech, but a
little talk. He of course said that
this meeting was great surprise to
him and that he had not been inform
ed 1t was to occur until he reached
Portland. He expressed his deep ap-
probation of the assembly of these
men and then in his happy manner
told a few anecdotes and related a
few incidents to show his gratifica-
ton at this reception. Mr.. Kinds did
not attempt to deliver himself of any
speech, but talked in an off hand way
to these neighbors and friends and
referred to the great fight which is
being made here to prevent his nom
ination.
After this those present, supported
by a big crowd in the corridor, to
whose numbers there were constant
accessions, formed in line and began
to pass by Mr. Kinds and shake him
by the hand Nearly all of these men
he was able to address by their names
and to each one he had something
pleasant to say. OF course all of them
had something nice to say to Mr..
Kinds. They told him without eXcep-
ton that they were with him in his
fight, heart and soul; that they pro-
posed to work for him at the caucuses
and would not be satisfied until he
had received his election to Congress.
So hearty were these promises of ac-
tive work in his behalf that no man
could have heard them without be-
ing convinced of the depth of feeling
and the great interest which is being
manifested in this city in Mr.. Kinds
success.
The character Of the gathering as
much as anything else, was what was
impressive. There were no ward heel
ers in this gathering. no men who
form a part of the bread and butter
brigade; these were conspicuous by
their absence. In their place were
business men, many of them the larg-
est retail and wholesale dealers in
this city. There were men present
who are worth hundreds of thousands
of dollars and scores who are labor
ing men but who are even more ar
dent supporters of Mr.. Kinds than
are any other class of people. There
were judges Of the State courts, law
yers by the score, the leading physi-
clans of the city, ministers of many
denominations, farmers from the sur
rounding towns, men who have serv-
ed as mayor of this city, who have
filled city, county and State offices,
onno nj Uhnrn oro fndaV active in