The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1822-09-17
GHsRttr,
PORTLAND, TUESDAY, SEPT. II, 1922

No class in the community are so loud in the
praise Of our political privileges as the adninis-
tration party; but they cheat the people out OF
their dearest rights and lead them by the nose at
pleasure. This precious Junto, who, 10 use their
own language, are the master 9 jugglsr@ behind
hte sceris,' and who belong to /" gang Of desper-
ADDE'S 'oho hage shared their heads ard taken an
OATH" have only to assemble in conclaye, and
make known their wishes TO the people, and de-
clare TO them whom they must set up and vote
for as members of the legislature---the Junto
having first ascerfained that these persons will
ne tire convenient tools, and willing slaves Of the
powers that be-in other words, that if need be,
they too will share their heads md take an oath.
The good people of Maine-we mean those
who are the willing dupes OF the Junto---are obe-
dent to orders--and the persons, who have Sc
cretly sworn obedience in all things, are elected.
This is the reason why we find so many in our
legislature, WHO cannot even spell their native
language--some who can hardly read il. Let
the intelligent part Of the people look into, this
thing, and they viii ascertain the reason why we
have many in our legislature, utterly destitute
Of any requisite qualification for the Office.
High minded, honorable and intelligent men
will not condescend TO be the puppets Of those
" master jugglers behind the scene.r-Let this
subject be fully investigated, and the evil viii
easily find a remedy. The truth is, that the bulk
of the community do not reflect, while they suf-
fer political impostors to lead them. They are
not SO wisem this as they are in other things.
They never 60 to halter to make a pair Of
shoes, or 10 tailor TO shoe horse vet they
viii vote for man who can scarcely read or
write to legislate for them, upon subjects of deep
interest, and which, without considerable de-
gree of learning and reading, cannot properly
be understood. They will trust their dearest
rights and their property with men, Of whose
honesty and integrity they themselves are often
in doubt; and they act tins foolish part, merely
because il is TO support particular party---or
rather because they are the mere dures Of the
" master jugglers behind the scene"
We hope the Legislature, at It's approaching SEES
sion will take into consideration the subject Of
making some further provision in the mode az
conducting elections. 1t is certain, that all the
precautions against frauds, hitherto adopted, have
proved insufficient to secure the equal rights of
the citizens The honest elector is unsuspicious.
while the artful s. jealous, but unprincipled rarti-
zan, may too easily practice his frauds in secret
We do not however, lately hear Of many instances
Of handfu Of rotes being put in by single cleo
tor, because we believe that the selectrncn Of
towns, generally, are too vigilant not 70 render
such practice hazardous. But TIC selectmen
are prohibited from examining the votes-and this
IS wholesome regulation, for there have been
cases where voters have been under the fear
Of an influence, which has prevented an mdepen-
dent exercise Of the elective franchise.
But unless the legislature make proyis ior, by
law 10 authorize the selectnen to ascertain that
not more than SINGLE cote is cast br the same
eloctor, party zeal win stlI prompt some ladisid-
uals TO commit fraud upon tie public.