The Portland Gazette

Gazette.

PORTLAND. TUESDAY. JUNE 24. 1823.

The election of members of Congress in four of the districts of this state, will take place on Monday next.

The candidates are, in

York,

WM. BURLEIGH,

ISAAC LANE,

RUFUS McINTIRE.

Lincoln,

JEREMIAH BAILEY,

MARK L. HILL,

EBENEZER HERRICK

Kennebec,

JOSHUA CUSHMAN,

EBENEZER T. WARREN,

JOSIAH PRESCOTT.

Hancock and Washington,

WM. ABBOT,

ALFRED JOHNSON,

JEREMIAH O'BRIEN.

In each district it appears three candidates have been placed in nomination; it is certain that but one can be chosen it becomes the duty therefore of every Elector to study the characters of the men, who are offered for his suffrage, and select the one most qualified for the station, for which he is proposed.

In York two of the candidates are lawyers, the other we hardly know what to call; he has been a farmer, a soldier, and is now we believe a lumber merchant. Of the two first Mr. Burleigh was regularly nominated previous to the last trial and received a large number of votes, and is, we are informed, well qualified, by talents and general information, for the high office. If other things are equal in Mr. McIntire, still Mr. Burleigh has the preference in these.

In Lincoln, we cannot hesitate to give a decided preference to the nomination of the Hon. JEREMIAH BAILEY: he has been a long time in public life and has discharged the duties of every office to which he has been called with singular promptness, fidelity and ability.

The other candidates, to be sure, come before the public in a novel style for this eastern country, but with what advantage may admit of question. Mr. Herrick is ushered in by an array of letters recommendatory, from a variety of gentlemen of high character; these things our colleges require before they matriculate a boy, and we all think them necessary, previous to hiring a servant; but the very circumstance implies that the man is unknown to his employers, and in the present case, it implies that he is suspected. Mr. Hill too, stimulated by the example of his rival, has thought it proper to back his reputation, and no less a man than his excellency of Massachusetts, Gov. Eustis, is procured as an endorser for his character. The last Bath paper contains a letter from Mr. Eustis in which Mr. Hill's merits and opinions are set forth "in good set terms."

We are very glad that men are offered for Congress who can procure such good certificates!

In Kennebec, Mr. Cushman has the recommendation of faithful services during two congressional terms, and may be supposed to possess the advantage over his opponents which is conferred by this experience in public business

Hancock and Washington at the last trial did themselves great credit in giving Mr. Abbot so many votes. This gentleman would represent that district with honor; he is a man of unblemished character: his integrity and his intelligence place him above the reach of our praise. When such a man is offered for public office, the wonder is, not that he should be chosen, but that he should encounter any opposition. We trust the good sense of our friends in Hancock and Washington will elevate Mr. ABBOT into a situation, which he will adorn by faithful and valuable service.

We have given a hasty glance at the situation of the candidates in the several districts, but we fear from the division of sentiment, that this second trial will be unsuccessful. It is to be desired that we should adopt the law of New-Hampshire, that on the second attempt the person having the highest number of votes shall be declared elected. This would not only save the expense of repeated trials, but produce more unity of sentiment.