The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1879-12-30
MORE DEFENDERS.
Congressman Murch and Hon.
J. H. Martin at Rockland.
AN EVASIVE LETTER FROM
HON. A. P. GOULD.
The Rockland Fusionlsts Ready to
Fight.

RocKLAND, Dec. 29.--In response to call
issued Saturday, Greenbackers and Democrats
assembled at Farwell Hall this evening to en-
dorse the action of the Governor and Council
in counting the election returns. Large dele
cations were present from Camden, Thomas
ton and other towns embracing leading Demo
Gratis and Greenbackers, and the hall was well
filed.
Mr.. jeremiah Tolman Of this city was called
to preside with long list of Vice Presidents.
Hon. Thompson FL. Murch M. G., was the
first speaker. He endorsed the Governor whom
he claimed had only followed the Constitution
and laws, and also said that more Greenhaek
and Democratic towns and votes had been
thrown out than Republican.
w. w. Perry, Representative-elect from
Camden, followed, and stated that as one men,
Der of the Legislature he should vote on the
seating of members as he thought right and
lust, without regard to who was counted in or
who was counted out.
Hon. j. Fl. Marlin of Camden protested
against the proposed reference of the questions
in controversy to the Supreme Court, as he
wanted no more eight to seven reports. He ar
gued the Madigan case at some length.
Senator-elect Thompson, Hon. Paul Watts
and J. E. Moore, ESQ.,, of Thomaston, and
others also spoke endorsing the Governor and
Council.
A telegram was read from E. Z. Pillsbury
and other citizens of Augusta, expressing fuli
sympathy; also one from Councillor Monroe
saying that the Governor and Council have
counted and declared the returns strictly in
accord with Constitution and law and will
maintain their position against all lntlmlda-
ton.
A long letter was read from Hon. A. P.
Gould, in which he refers to the threats of Sc
dition by violent party leaders in the pulpit,
on the platform and by the press, and expresses
the fear that the masses be melted to violence
unless means be taken to correct their mlsln-
formation. For this reason he deprecated all
excitemement. Referring to the acts OF the
Governor he said with correct information
no fair-minded man can doubt his integrity.
have no doubt that his acts have IN the main
been strictly in conformity with the Constltu-
ton and laws Of the state, and will be so PROV
ed when fairly brought to the test before any
tribunal. If there has been any deviation L
believe it was for want OF correct information
and in instances of so little moment that they
will not affect the organization OF the next
Legislature or the state government of 1880,
and that all such mistakes will be corrected
fairly and honorably by the Legislature.
Rockland will be represented unless the can
didates voted for by the people wilfully absent
ernor and Council from that city was so defec-
tive that it could not be either amended or
considered as it was by them without a VIOLA
ton of their official oaths, will not be ques-
toned by any sound lawyer; The Supreme
Court of this state has declared that the re-
sponsibility of such an error, even If it re-
suits in DISTINGUISHING people, as it will not,
rests wholly with the careless municipal Off
GERS. But whether mistakes have been made
or not has now ceased to be of any Importance
TO- l,oy anft no state
government is to be defed and successfully re-
sisted because a political party is dissatisfied
with the manner in which the chief executive
of the state has performed his official duties.
This would be the des0hction OF all authority
in the state, and we should be reduced 10
state of anarchy.
A series of resolutions was presented by the
committee. 1t condemns the utterances OF
the meeting on Friday evening; says the Gov
ernor and Council have simply done their duty
and it remains for the legislature to determine
who actually and fairly were elected, and not
allow the will Of the people to be nullitied by
the stupidity of municipal officers or by in
timidation, bribery or fraud.
The first and fourth was as follows: Twelve
hundred of the loyal people of Rockland in
convention assembled in cordial APPRECIATION
of the course OF the Governor and Council IN
strictly obeying the Constitution and laws in
the discharge of their duties as canvassers OF
election returns; impartially applying the
same to all cases without regard to the effect
on partisan or personal interests; and we
pledge ourselves to uphold and sustain them
in so doing as good and patriotic citizens, ever
ready to devout ourselves to the maintenance
of our free institutions.
We regard efforts being made by unfcrupul-
GUS politicians to prevent the regular and law
full assemblage Of the Legislature, whether by
intimidating bribery or persuading members
entitled to seats by virtue of the Governors
certificates not to answer the summons, thus
preventing quorum, or by other and more
reprehesible means, as unlawful and treasona-
BILE, and we pledge our earnest and active sup
port to the constituted authorities to make the
treason harmless and to punish traitors. We
earnestly desire peace but we ''will bear arms
if necessary and say that the Constitution and
laws of the state shall be obeyed..