Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-12-07
Instructed Delegates from
Maine

The question has been raised
whether delegates sent from Maine
to national political conventions have
ever been given definite instructions
regarding candidates for nomination.
A casual examination of the records
of State and district conventions re-
veals that in at least two instances
such instructions have been given.
and in numerous other instances reso-
lutions have been passed. which. ex-
pressing the, sentiment of the con-
ventions toward candidates for NOM
ination, virtually amounted to in
structions.
In Lincoln's time, the Union con-
vention of the Third Maine Congress
sionaI district elected delegates to
the Baltimore convention and sent
them thither with the mandate ex-
pressed in the following resolutions:
Resolved. That for their eminent
services to their country in the years
of its greatest peril. Abraham Lin
coin and Hannibal Hamlin deserve
the confidence and regard of the
American people. and that in the
opinion of this convention the loyal
citizens Of this Congressional district
desire their reelection to the Offices
which they now so ably and faith
fully fill.
Resolved. That the delegates of this
Congressional district to the Union
National Convention in Baltimore
are hereby instructed to carry out
the spirit and intention Of the above
resolution and to use all fair and
honorable means to secure the NOM
ination of Abraham Lincoln and
Hannibal Hamlin as candidates for
= President and Vice President in No.
vember, 1864.
The Third District Republican con-
pention of 1880 was equally specific
in instructing its chosen delegates to
work for the nomination Of James G.
Blaine:
Resolved. That the Republicans
of Maine. by whom James G. Blaine
was first elected to q seat in the
National House Of Representatives,
and continued therein until he was
called to represent this State in the
Senate Of the United States, hereby
declare their preference and earnest
desire for him as the candidate to
be supported by the Republican
party for President in the coming
national election. They know his
pure and generous character as dis
played by his home life; they have
proved his faithfulness and ability
in public life by thirteen years Of
service which he has given them as
their immediate representative in
Congress; they know him as the
country knows him. a renowned
statesman. peerless in council and
debate: a matchless leader of men:
a stalwart defender and supporter Of
the. principles of the Republican
party; man of courage, convic-
tions. honesty, and mastery execu-
tive capacity; and withal a man
eminently fitted in all points to lead
the Republican party to victory in
the coming national campaign, and
to rule over the country wisely and
wei. should he be elected President.
RESOLVED, That the delegates to
the National Republican Convention
this day elected by this convention
are instructed to use every fair and
honorable means Of which they are
capable to secuBe the nomination Of
James G. Blaine az the candidate Of
the Republican party for President
at Chicago in June next.
The Republican State convention
of 1884 did not apparently give def
mite instructions to its delegates, but
did include in its resolutions one
which was Enthusiastically clear in its
sentiment:
Section 4-Resolved, That holding
firmly to the spirit and support Of
the foregoing resolution, the Repub-
leans Of Maine present to the choice
of the National Republican Conven-
ton for President candidate Hon.
James G. Blaine, the wise statesman,
the gifted Republican leader, the
patriotic citizen, who would admin
lister the executive affairs of the
government in manner to commend
him to all sections Of the republic.
At the State convention Of 1896 an
other resolution Of similar unmistak-
ably definite character was offered
and passed regarding the speaker Of
the House Of Representatives
Thomas B. Reed. as follows:
The Republicans Of Maine gladly
join with their brethren in other
states by presenting to the Repub-
licans Of the nation for promotion
TO the presidency. the speaker of the
national House. He needs no plat
form save the record Of his life.
Under his administration. a. his pub
lie efforts conspicuously show, would
be restored that Republican policy
of protection. etc
1t seems, then. that there is pre-
cedent for sending instructed dele
Eatioas from this State to national
conventions az noted above. and It IL
quite possible that other instances
might be found OF similar proceed
ings.
Wonder how much those graftins
New York builders contribute to the
housing propaganda and pleas for