Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1925-08-05

! VIII agai-. announce to my read
ers that these letters are, in a sense.
autobiography, but the events Of
which [ Writ are not arranged in
chronological order, for | have been
writing about things OF my childhood
and youth, and in this letter I am
writing of things which happened at
a time when I was quite active in
state and county politics. | will tell
you of the hardest-fought battle in
the history of this congressional dis
trict
1t was a quadIangular contest,
and the candidates were Milliken of
Belfast, Burleigh and Marley of Au-
gusta, and Andrew P. Wiswell of
Ellsworth
During his administration as
governor, Burleigh had made many
friends in all parts Of the district, so
when he announced that he was a
candidate for Congress, it at once be-
came evident that he was very popu-
lar among the rank and file of re-
publican voters in the district This
was not pleasing to Manley because it
challenged his own prestige in the
district.
AS time went on and delegates
were chosen in the different cities
and towns, there developed among
Milliken's followers much bitterness
against Burleigh, for they could see
that, if he got about all the dele
gates in kennebec county, he would
get enough in other counties to nomi-
nate him. And so, as was generally
believed, Manley became a candidate
for the purpose of dividing the
| Kennebec delegates.
Just before the time of holding the
convention the situation was about
as follows; Much bitterness between
Milliken's followers and those of
/ Burleigh; Manley simply watching
developments, perhaps not exactly
decided what he would do until the
time came for action; Wiswell, with
no enemies and personally liked by
all the other candidates and their
followers, so his candidacy was just
friendly rivalry.
From now on I must write much
| of what I said and did. for I am
writing of my personal inside
| knowledge of the convention, and
CduIlUL dNOIu II.
Wiswell had asked me to help him
| in the convention, and on the eve
| ming before the convention, after in
! terviewing the candidates and dele
| gates, it was evident to us that, un
| less Milliken or Burleigh was nomi
mated on the first ballot, Wiswell
would win
Milliken had not tried to get any
delegates in Hancock county, but he
had said to the Bar Harbor delegates
that he was willing that they vote for
Wiswell "provided they did not stick
to him too long" showing that he
expected that several ballots would
be taken. He apparently did not feel
at all certain what Manley would do.
After the usual prelminaries of
the convention, the nominating
speeches were made. Burleigh's
name was presented by Oramandel
Smith, who had been secretary of
state several years, and was well
known and generally liked. He was
a gor' 9'co!.er, and said nothing of
fer i've. but on account of their BIZ
terness against Burleigh, Milliken's
friends lost self control ar1 greeted
his speech With Interruptions, jeers
hootings and general turmoil. This
performa nee was much regret ed by
those who wanted to see a republi-
can elected. for it indicated that
Miliken's friends had come very
neer making it impossible to elect
| him if nominated.
Wiswell had requested me to pre-
sert his name. This | did in very
simple way, stating his qualifications
and emphasizing the Importance Of
nominating candidate whom all
respected and liked and who would
| bring harmony and make sure TIE
| elect ion of republican CONGRESSMAN
| My speech was received kindly, but
| when the votes were counted Wis
well received only those of the dele
gates from Hancock county The
| Marley DELEGATES had voted for Mill
! ken and nominated him on the first
ballot e.
Not many days had passed when
it became evident that the demo-
cratic leaders saw that the situation
gave them a fairly good chance to
elect a democratic congressman.
Thoughtful republicans believed that
would be a calamity. How could
they prevent it? That was the
problem. But they soon got active
in their efforts to do something.
Clearly, it was very important that
all should have a correct view of the
situation, Just as it was. but there
were at least two points of view.
One was that of a republican who
expects to be a candidate; the other
that Of a republican whose loyalty TO
the party as whole was greater
than his loyalty to any particular
candidate.
One who was to be a candidate
would say Two years hence, Wis
well will be chief justice of the
supreme court and not likely to be a
candidate If Milliken is defeated at
the polls, he is not likely to be
candidate again If Burleigh's
friends defeat Milliken, their action