Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-12-09

the uemOcratlC OF brteHudCh siut'
4th. What ends do they wish TO accomplish
by this unheard of plot?
SEEKER FOR LIGHT.
To the questions above we reply in
their order as follows:
1st The Governor and Council are ex-
pected to do the contingent by setting
aside the laws and the constitution. de-
clarins the former unconstitutional where
they stand in the way, disregarding the
latter where it is opposed to their scheme.
and using the power which they have to
grant certificates of election to count out
and count in whatever persons they see
fit, depending upon bubbles and techni-
calities to justify their arbitrary, illegal
and monstrous course. Councillor Fogg
saws the Council cares no more for the SUI
preme Court than for "seren jackasses." OF
course Governor and Council that have
no respect for the Court, none for the laws,
and none for the will of the people as ex-
pressed in the election, will have no scru-
pies about using the power they have to
count out or in ANYBODY they please to the
legislature.
End. The reason why it occurs this year
that the returns are withheld and not al
lowed to be looked at as in former
years, is we think apparent to all who
have observed the reports in the papers of
this conspiracy. In former years we have
had upright men in the Executive Depart
ment. who desired to do what was just
and lawful, and allow every man chance
to see what irregularities. if any, were in
the official returns, to the end that he
might be heard in the matter and make
such corrections as the statutes permit
him to make. This year we have
Governor and Council who do not hest
tate to declare laws unconstitutional which
do not meet their approval, and whose
purpose is not to do what right and justice
demand, but to count in fusion legisla-
ture. The letter Of County Attorney
Rounds distinctly charges that the returns
from democratic towns have been altered,
and that he will prove it if he can have
the opportunity. The Governor and Coun-
Gil have not accepted the challenge. Now
what conclusion can any sensible man
come to after this, except that the returns
from democratic and greenback towns
have been ..doctored ?" And this furnish
es an answer to the question of our corre-
spondent in regard to the cause of the re-
turns being withheld from examination by
republicans-elect or their counsel. They
don't dare to show them.
3d. If the republicans have no chance
to see the returns to ascertain what errors
are in them, and the democrats are per-
mitted for weeks and months to doctor"
theirs, it is easily seen why the republican
returns may be more defective than the
democratic returns. No man of common
sense will believe that republican clerks
are net more capable, in the State Of
Maine, of making their returns correct
than democratic clerks. If the democratic
and greenback returns are more correct
than the republican returns, that fact alone
suggests so strongly that the former have
been "doctored" that it is almost equal to
proof positive. But this is not the only
evidence of "doctoring." Remember the
letter of County Attorney Rounds.
4th. The end to be accomplished by
this unheard of plot of the conspirators is
to steal the State government from the
hands in which the people placed it at the
last State election, continue themselves in
power, and if they think it advisable elect
democratic electors at the coming session
and have the State counted for the demo-
cratic candidate for President in 1880.