Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-12-30
Ex-Governor Chamberlain Urges
Governor GarcelOn to ask the
Opinion of the Supreme Court.

Ex-Gov. Cham berlain sent the following
letter to Gov. Garcelon Saturday:
BRUNSWICK, Dec. 9th, 1879.
! To the Hon. Atonzo Garceion, GOrernor Of
Maine:
In the responsible position which you oc-
eupy as the highest guardian of the rights and
peace of the people, you cannot see without
deep concern the manifestations of excited
feeling now pervading the community, and
the increasing appeals to passions and forces
which should not be resorted to for the settle
ment of such questions as those now before
us, and which are likely to have results great
ly detrimental to the public welfare.
Many men of all parties and men not ac
customed to be carried away by camOr of
any kind, apprecating the critical and trying
position in which you are now placed, are
earnestly DESTROYS that you should use all
means in your power to secure a just decision
of these matters, and one which all shall see
to be fairly reached.
The popularity of the case is that great
political party, including of course due pro-
portion of considerable and right-minded men,
believe that in the canvass of electoral re-
turns lately made, they have not been fairly
dealt with, and even that the forms of law
have been used to defeat the ends of law.
do not make this allegation here, but ask
your attention to the fact that such feeling
and belief exists, and even among men of
other parties than the one aggrieved.
1t is however, an undoubted fact that the
result of popular election which has been
conceded on all hands to have given clear
majority to the republican candidates for the
Senate and House, hat been practically re-
verscd by the Governor and Council. 1t is
not surprising therefore that men should say
and think that the majority to whom seats
have been given by certificate, have been
elected by the Governor and Council and not
by the people
1t must be your intention to follow the
Constitution and the laws in the discharge of
duty, and as the questions raised are of the
Interpretation of the laws as governing their
administration, there certainly cannot exist
in your mind any objection to submitting
these questions, as has been proposed, to the
appropriate tribunal to which the Constitu-
ton expressly gives you access for aid and
support.
l am confident that all good citizens will
not only acquiesce peacefully in decision
that shall be so reached, but will also respect
and honor you for thus doing all in your pow
err to to have right discovered and vindicat-
ed.
1t would be a most unhappy circumstance
ii TIE solutlOn OF sucH questions were III any
manner left to the arbitrament of civil dis
cord and strife 1t is to secure the peaceful
solution of such questions that laws and gov
ernment have been instituted, and that men
have deemed them worthy of their toll and
sacrifice and blood.
Our people are distinguished above many
others for their respect for the forms of law
1t is therefore of the utmost importance that
these forms should be 50 used as not to bring
into contempt the authority and sanctity of
law itself.
Confident that you will deem it of far less
Importance to see any party whatever in Office
than to make it evident to all that impartial
fairness and scrupulous honor have presided
at your deliberations, | would respectfully
urge you to submit to the court all questions
on which exceptions are taken, on constitu-
tional or legal grounds, to your recent action.
Very respectfully,
Your obeiient servant,
JOSHUA l.. CHAMBERLAIN