The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1864-01-16
HOUSE.
SAruRpAy. Jan. 4

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Mr.. Turner moved reconsideration of the
vote whereby the House directed that the
name Of Henry A. Usher be placed apon tho
rolls. He did 30 upon the request Of the
friends of Mr.. Bradbury. He moved also
that the question of reconsideration be laid
upon the table until next Tuesday.
Mr. Farwell of Rockland said thar the
Committee on Elections were ready to con-
slider the case and II would be useless to put
of the question until Tuesday. He thought
that the House was full enough to decide this
question satisfactorily now. He thought the
House had already decided the question cor
rectly. Great frauds had been pcrpetrated
in that district. II the House reconsidered
the vote Of yesterday and seated Mr.. Brad
bury II would prevent the exposure Of those
frauds, as the Committee on Elections would
have no right to look into the matter. Mr..
Brndbury had given the notice, required by
law, twenty days before the meeting Of the
Legislature, Of his intention to contest tho
seat of Mr.. Usher, therefore, II tho House
declared Mr.. b. entitled to seat, II would
bo virtually declaring that Mr.. Usher was
not entitled TO II and the matter would 60
no further.
Mr.. Butler OF North Berwick hoped that
the motion for the assignment of the matter
would prevail, as he as well rs Others OF tho
delegation from York County were not pre-
pared, at present, to act upon the question.
Mr.. Jcllcson of Biddcford thought the
question ought to be now fairly understood
by the House. He understood that tho House
was called upon to act to-day upon the in
formation placed before it, and if'it acted
upon that 1t had the certificates of the select
men of tho towns of WATERFORD and Hollis
that Mr.. Bradbury's majority was 81 in Wa
terboro, and Mr.. Usher's majority was 38 in
Hollis. showing Mr.. Bradbury, according to
the proof before tho House, to have received
81 majority in that District. The document
presented ny Mr.. Usher was simply writing
signed by tho selectmen of the town of Hollis
but not even sworn to by them, and 1t was
Ct to come only before the Committee on
Elections. Mr.. Bradbury had in his posses
sion similar document, but hc deemed it |
not proper to present 1t to tho House. I'll
the House thought proper to give Mr.. Usher
u scat in preference to Mr.. Bradbury in tho
face of such plain facts, he had nothing fur
ther to say.
Mr.. Farwell of Rockland, commended the
good nature of his friend from Augusta, (Mr.
Turner,) aud the ingenuity Of the gentleman
from Biddeford, (Mr. Jelleson,) but II would
be of no use for him to attempt to frighten
the House from doing its duty by holding up
the terrors OF "Public Opinion" II there
was no fraud in WATERFORD, why did not the
selectmen of that town give notice OF their
inability to appear ut the place designated
beforehand for the meeting Of the selectmen
of both towns? There were influential men
who were very desirous to hush this matter
up. This he knew positively, but he did not
want 1t kept dark. II there was underhand
work, let It be exposed, and lot the offenders
be known. He thought the gentleman from
Biddeford showed a great deal OF assurance
in coming here und claiming the seat for Mr..
Bradbury, when Mr.. B had only given tho
notice required by law Of his intention to
contest the seat. BY the vote yesterday no
injustice would he done to Mr.. Bradbury, for
he would have chance to have hearing
before the COMMITTEES on Elections, and also
before the House. He had no opinion upon
the matter, and wished to have none until
the testimony was brought forward, but his
opinion WAS clear that the House had done
It's duty in placing Mr.. Usher's na,ne upon
The rolls.
Mr.. Jelleson thought that II was presum-
ing on tho good sense of the House to throw
,ut insinuations such us the gentleman from
Rockland had done. -.... .... .....
Mr.. Butler of North Berwick, said he had
never heard Of such n certificate as that pre-
,ented by Mr.. Usher, in the course Of twelve
years in which he had served MS selectman in
his town. The fact that Mr.. Bradbury had
given notice of his intention to contest the
eat bad placed the matter In new light,
and he was as we'll prepared to vote now us
next Tuesday.
Nj. Turner then withdrew the motion to
assign Tuesday for the consideration OF the
motion to reconsider.
Mr.. Knowlton, Of Liberty, coincided In
the views of Mr.. Farwell.
Mr.. Jclleson desired to say that II there
was any foundation in tho remarks OF the
gentleman from Rockland. that Mr.. Brad
bury was ready to waive all those objections
in regard to Investigations of this matter IL
the House would only take tho prinia .facic
evidence presented by him. Though It had
been charged that Mr.. Bradoury's election
had been by fraud, yet there was no evidence
before the House that this was SO, and there
fore should not be brought up to predjudicc
the members against him.
The vote was then taken in reconsideration
md lost-2l in favor, II opposed.