Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1879-12-16
THE SITUATION At ANGUISH!

THE SITUATION AT AUGUSTA
During the past week there has been
but Ettlc interest manifested over the
co1rting-out matter. Early in the week,
without giving any reason for their pre-
yious conduct, the Governor and Council
pcrni,ted candidates for the Legislature
and their counsel to examine the returns
Judge Virgin gave hearing on the
pc.itiou for mandamuS on Wednesday, at
augusta. and Friday rendered his deciS-
ion. refusing 20 issue a WHIT and dismiss
inc the petition. He declared that cam
didatcs evidently had the right to view
returns: that the Secretary Of State was
custodian Of the returns; but that while
the Governor and Council were perform
ing a constitutional duty. the returns were
properly IN their possession, and that the
Court could not control them while they
were thus being canvassed. This dccis-
Jon is rendered in judicial manner, and
throws back in the teeth, the charges of
those who have iusinuated that Judge
Virgin would render partisan decision.
Notwithstanding the fairness now cX-
h;b;ted bv the Governor and Council, It
!, generally believed tina; the political
complexion Of The state Senate VIII be
changed: and that many Representatives
viii De counted out. This view is based
upon the ut,crauccs Of many fusion lead
crs Mr. P;u,bury in his paper ntima,es
tina, fourteen Republican Representatives
VIII De counted out from Augusta, Bath,
Lewiston. Portland, Rock.and and Saco,
t1r the following reasons:
Augusta Representatives, Whole mum
her of ballots some two thousand more
than .lc numbers set against The names OF
candidate, foot up, and II j. impossible TO
tell bv the returns who ayr elected
Bath. Representative. Return signed
hy. minority only OF the aldermen.
UsNowell. signed hy q minority OF alder
men. A>it IS claS>ed with Chelsea 10 does
not affect the result for Representatives
Lewiston. Representatives. Return
>.rreJ bv less than majority Of aldermen.
Portland. % Representatives some l4l
>tiut.on requires that the names OF per
sons voted for and the number OF votes
received by each shall. Doe given
RockhuI. Representatives. Return
signed bv less than majority Of aldermen
Saco Representative. Return signed
by O. minority only OF aldermen.
Mr.. Foss, in his paper, bets 500 Il
- that 10. Smith viii be the next Gov
c~nor OF Maine. That there was plan
laid bv fusion leaders TO maintain control
of the state cauno, be doubted. A
evidence Of that fact we quote the follow
ing,
II is stated that the printed blanks iol
return, sent out % cities from the Office oil
the Secretary OF State. had but three lines
for aldermen, names. and one with IN,
word ..Navor" 40 the end. for that Official
% sim This explains why 10 Is that th,
returns of Lewiston. Bath. Naco and Hat
lowell appear >igued by only three alder
men ami the Mayor. when the latter officer
should not sign Many think these blanks
were got up purpo>eiy 10 deceive the he
rubrcau city officers. IL would Doe out
rageouS for the state authorities 20 take
advantage OF technical omission, which
their own blanks invited.
Mr. Pllsbury did the State printing
this wear He Is well yerSed in STATE
affairs. and if the blanks were thus erro-
naouslv made. II was no accident Mr..
PMsbury never makes mistakes Of that
character.
Wednesday, the time Of counting ex-
p.res. and we shall soon learn whether Of
no; the Republicans Of this State are tC
be cheated out Of q well-earned victory
bv a parcel Of unscrupulous political
tricksters