Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1871-02-17
The Bethel Case.

/ OCT, MpScs u EV>tct, WIZ tahch itVhi tuS
table the question being on giving the
same 4 passage.
On motion OF Mr.. Carleton, the yeas
| and nays were ordered when the vote
should be taken.
Mr. Bonncy did not think it necessary
TO discuss the matter rs the facts were be.
tore the House in the report. Yet he de-
sired To add simple fact. He under
stood there was an affidavit. giving as a
reason why the votes Of Hamlin Grant
were cast for "A. Hastings" instead OF
Gideon A. Hastings" that The votes
were printed and sent with The name of
the candidate left blank that VIXEN the
question came mp whose name should be
inserted the voters requested the clerk 10
ascertain. lie found that it was Maj.
A. Hastings" but they len 81 the Maj
aud wrote at the foot ol tho ballot "A.
Hastings" But no such affidavit reached
the committee though it was understood
that there was such an affidavit
Mr.. Rawson produced copy of the
Oxford Democrat. a republican paper,
setting forth that the democrats had made
no nomination in the Bethel district. but
proposed TO run The old candidate. Mag.
\ Hastings" These voters. if they saw
the paper, and they probably did, would
DC liable To fall into error. lie had long
known Mr.. Hastings. and never knew un
I'll the var that he had any other name
than "Alphonso."
Mr. C,eavcs said the only rule which is
to govern in this case is, What was the
intention OF the voters in this case ?"
Election signifies choice, and choice is
simply carrying out the intention of the
voters II we can ascel tain what the in.
teniion OF the voters was, il is our duty 10
give effect to it. 1t appc&rs that in Ham.
Inns Grant fourteen votes were cast Tor
~. Hastings" If these votes were in
tend, i for Gideon A Hastings, lac is en-
titled To them Tho voters themselves
say upon oath that they intended TO vote
for Gideon A. Hastings. and thought they
were voting for him. though they had
never known him by any other name than
''Alphonso Hastings" 1t il a mere tech
nica mistake, and he hoped the House
would not dishanchiso them, but give
effect to their intentions. lie cited the
case OF Thompson Va. Miller, in 1854, in
Cons,css, rs precedent for the one
pending beiole the House.
Mr.. Carleton advocated the passage of
the resolve, and cited the case of Morrill,
vs.. Brown, of Chelsea. in support Of his
argument He also cited the case kee-
gan -. Dickey. The plantation OF Cyr,
in the latter case. WAS not even organized
legally. They dill not get the name OF
Mr. KecSan right. and he got his seat;
but they had NJ right to have their votes
allowed. Hamlin's Grant was legally
organized. but the voters happened to
cave out the first initial of the candi-
date's name. He coutcnded that this was
a precedent established in the Chelsea
case by the dominant party, and that il
should no, stultily lis action at this time.
No matter whether from ignorance or
want of memory these voters voted Tor
"A Hastings" They come before the
committee and say they intended to vote
for Gideon \. Hastings" and no other
man; and now are they TO be disiranchis-
ed? He hoped not.
Mr. Perkins Of Poland. rs member Of
the Committee on Elections. said nc had
couvcrscd with the ablcst counsel of An
lro>coggil County. and hey are about
equal to any in tbe State. Their opinions
were unanimous that the voters dls(ran-
chiscd themselves. and with legal opinion
= guide him. he should vote against the
resolve. II man has mind to be II
tool. how can we help it? No one is 10
be blamed but themselves.
Mr Bonncy called attention to the law
which requires that the ballots should be
deposited in the ballot box. with the name
Of The party voted Tor. lie said the only
question in This case is--can voters, alter
voting according to law, como in here at
this time. and by word of mouth, change
the direct rcsul. OF ballot given in
September? This would establish pre-
ccden, which in his opinion, would open
wide door.
MI. SliekGey said there was nu possible
analogy between the Keegan and present
case. The point last year was as to the
legal organization OF the whole of NADIA
waska district. No one doubts the legal
organization of IIamlin Grant. but the
question is whether certain men voted for
certain other men. lie objected to per
sons coming in aud saying who they in.
tended to vote for. A Governor might
be unseated by such practice.
Mr.. Johnson arose 10 meet the sugges-
ton OF the gentleman from Portland (Mr.
C!eaves) that 1.-The intention of the voter
should govern our decision" In the city
of Augusta we have politician of very
decided opinions, who went to the ballot.
box hast September and intended to de-
post his vote for Mr.. Roberts. When he
had voted. his friends told hin. he had
voted Tor The republican candidate. If
anybody had told him he had lost his
house by fire, 1t would moi have startled