Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-02-04

In looking over prccedents in election mat
tiers, he found that not only had the law been
disre garded in order that the people may have
their rights but the Constitution itself. He
gave numerous prccedents which applied in
this case The Legislature refused to dis
franchise towns in these cases. The true
principle applicable to this class of cases, is
TO give effect to the votes of qualified electors,
when the same can be correctly ascertained.
The vote of Cyr plantation is not questioned E;
i. was given in good faith. The right OF sui
frage is inherent in every citizen OF tins State A;
the manner of casting and communicating
that vote to the Legislature is merely mat
ter of form. 1t has been the pride of the
republican party since its inception that IT has
guaranteed the right of suffrage to all; it has
been its chief glory that no man shall be dis
franchiscd, except for defects which involve
fraud and corruption and in this case there
is no such evidence.
Mr.. Powers replied at some length, and
further advocated the ma ority report. He
said there were other reasons why the vote of
Cyr plantation was not counted IN the report
The first was because it had not "een legally
organized, and of course there could be no
qualified electors, and no law to authorize the
counting of votes. The law prescribes that
such organization shall take place sixty days
prior to the second Monday in September,
and the facts transmitted to the Secretary of
State l. that simply directory! He thought
it obligatory and binding. The object OF this
law was to circumvent bogus organizations
got up on the eve of election, sending IN IL
legal returns Of votes. The returns OF these
election proceedings were for the purpose of
knowing whether the law had been complied
with or not. He contended and produced
documentary evidence 10 show that the only
warrant ever issued to Cyr plantation for or
ganization was in 1867, and by the erasure of
the dates and substitution of ''lo69' with
''under'ncs," it was used tor its organization
at the last election. Mr.. Powers continued,
giving an account of the manner in which re-
publicans were DISTINGUISHED in that section,
and how the democrats protited by II.
Mr.. HUMPHREY thought the question re-
duccd to a very simple one. 1t Is proved and
undenied as he understood it, that the re-
turns from the towns in that district are salts
factory; also that all the plantations with the
exception of Cyr, have been organized in con-
forml,y with the law, so the only question to
decide is, as to the election in Cyr plantation.
A return has been read here, tending to show
that there was an election in Cyr plantation
last September The Statute requires that
when the returns are not made in conformity
with the law, the votes of such plantations
shall be rejected. As he understood it there
had been no authenticated record or returns
of the organization OF this plantation, so that
the question now before Us is, shall we reject
that vote as required by the statute, or shall
we count it in controyersion of the statute.
1t was to him plain case.
Mr.. Barker then took the floor and spoke
an hour in behalf of the minority report, when
at the suggestion of Mr.. Baker he gave way
for an adjournment. (Remarks hereafter
ttfNtta. yt.,Fn
nority for the majority report the matter was
tabled and the House adjourned.
PETITIONS, BILLS. Sc. PRESENTED AND RE-
FERRED.
BY Mr.. PEAvEY-Petition of VIM. II. Hem
enway ct ais, to be empowered to maintain Il
certain wharf and to erect and complete as
already commenced wharf on the north side
of Machias river; of NJ. &. Crocker ct ais. in
aid of same.
by Mr. CHASE of Winn-Pctition of Ziba
Burrill ct ais, for an amendment to the
amendment of an act of 1865 to prevent the
throwing of slabs and other refuse into the
Penob>cot river.
By Mr.. Decentralization of Charles II.
Bartlett to build wharf into tide waters Of
Piscataquis river.
The foregoing were referred to the Com
mttee on Interior Waters.
tee on State Lands and Roads:
BY Mr.. Decentralization of o. Il. Sirois
ct Is ais, asking assistance to build bridge
over Dafour stream in Madawaska; of
Dominique Daigh ei 20 ais, asking assistance
to build bridge over D'Aigle stream in Fort
Kent.
BY Mr. IRIsH-Petition of inhabitants of
Township No. 3, H. 3, for an appropriation to
aid in building road in said township known
as Oakfield township.
The two following were referred to the
Committee on Change of Name:
BY Mr.. HAMMOND of Paris-Petition of
Thomas Stearns for change of name.
BY Mr.. PEAvEY-Petition OF Abigail Crane
for change of name.
The following were referred to the Commit
tee on Education:
BY Mr. Decentralization of Rev. Charles
Swaron ct 80 ais, asking assistance for
schools.
BY Mr.. HAMMOND of Paris-Petition Of
Paris Hill Academy for an appropriation.
BY Mr.. BURGEss-Remonstranc of Fred
n. Dow ct ais, against uniformity of texts
books.
BY Mr. BEARcE of CHARACTERIZATION of II.
b. Record CT 80 ais. for the protection of Fish.
Referred to the Committee on Fisheries.
BY Mr.. Decentralization of Abraham
Bridges for State pension.
BY Mr. BLAkE-Petition of g. B. Kimball
ct ais, for an act to incorporate the Auburn
and Lewiston Ice Company Referred to the
Committee on Mercantile Affairs.
BY Mr. BEARcE of Turner--Petition of G.
Conant ct 800 ais. of Turner. for an appro-
priaton Tor railroad from Lewiston to Rum
ford Falls. Referred to the Committee on
Railroads, Ways and Bridges.
BY Mr.. ACKNOWLEDGMENT of /.
Dow ct ais, of Orrington, against the repeal
of the law regulating the measurement of
milk Referred to the Committee on Agri-
culture.
BY Mr.. VosE-An act to incorporate the
Scarsport Manufacturing Company. Referred
to the Committee on Manufactures.
BY Mr. HAMMOND of Westbrook addition
al rcmonstrance against division of the town
of Westbrook. Referred 10 the Committee on
Division of Towns.
Daily Aennrbrr Aournal.