Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1879-12-31

Matters in Maine grow worse rather
than better and the counsel of cool headed
men on either side does not meet with that
response in action which ii deserves.
The republican ease, us we have before
intimated, is too largely made up Of sweep.
ing denuuciItioa without specifications of
infrAc'iops Of the law by the governor
and council for people outside the state to
mike up Judgment founded on the ftcts
under the law. But there is this excuse
for the want Of more specific charges-the
returns are not open 10 inspection by re.
pubicans so fara5 we are able to make
out from reports.
Gov. Garcelon claims that he and his
associates acted according to the consttu
len AMI the laws of the state. In addi-
ton to his former explanation he has issued
h"ther, and u committee of the council
tt, Issued still another. They do not
mt,ea full defence even on their own
~i'av.ng, but they Indicate that II portion
r' IA counting out WAS done lawfully
Tiny dispose Of some Of the cases where
arya atoms are made against them by
GIVING other reasons for the counting out
than those iitst received by the public.
,irt il must be remembered that but one
of men has thus far had lul access to
ia, lpurns and those are the men who did
I'll. counting. Their defence is therefore
Ha IT, ptrtc case and there are cases spcci.
l', in which it is claimed they have not
. tal the facts truly.
.lcir course thus far has not been such
$3.50 give one who is trying 10 get at the
exact truth amid all the charges and
r"Iter charges, confidence that examina-
loa Of the returns will reveal that inftli-
u NY on their part in making the certif-
c''"s which they claim
III the first place they have evidently
fp'mei the plan Of having Il military force
"- ejmmaul. This they are entitled to if
they want it but it does not speak well for
them that they went secretly about it rs
they seem to have done in securing arms
- The militia ut OIdtown, the residence of
woall-be Gov. Smith. At Bangor on
Chris mus day two wagons Of guns and
anmunitiJn we're attempted to be moved
t. the depot 4 crowd assembled and the
wagons could not get through and there
was much excitement. Bat while It may
not b. c'odjlabie to Dr.. Glrcclon and his
supordinales to. be thus puttering with
munitions OF war, they are the legal Gus
tolians Of them and their legal action in
regard to them should not be intcrfered
with. The good people Of Bangor will be
the good people Of Bangor only 50 long as
they allow free passage for all state Off
cills with State property.
Besides this "pIaying with edged tools "
he action Of Gov. Garcelon in reference
10 the very patriotic proposition of Hon
i.jt NJ. Morrill, looks us though the claim
that everything has been done "deccntly
and in order" is one shat will not bear
the li.ht Of day. He has refused to nsk
the opinion of the Supreme court as to the
points in controversy.
Mr.. Morrill, wrote him suggesting this
method of allaying the excitement and
Gov. Garcclon virtually accepted the prop,
osition and asked Mr.. Morrill, to submit Il
statement Of points mot already adiudi-
Gated upon on which the courts opinion
should be asked, Mr.. Morrill, on the 9th
submitted fourteen questions to the gov
ernor These questions covered The points
in controversy and an answer would show
whether the action of the governor and
council was lawful in the opinion of the
court. The governor is entitled 10 the
opinion Of the colrt if he asks, bat he las
concluded not to do it in spite of his first
letter to Mr. Morrill, and in the face of
numerous petitions signed by momburs of
all parties.
1t is now said that Il majority of the
present Senate will ask the opinion Of the
court on these points but we doubt whether
they are by law entitled to it and it seems
10 Us that Gov. G,rcelon's refusal to ask
ends tho hope Of getting an official opinion
And while Wa may do the gubernaloral
doctor injustice this refusal certainly seem
10 us unpatriotic and quasi confession of
fear that the action OF himself and associ
ales would in great measure not be su3,
tanned. There are certain conclusions
reached by the governor and council that
we think would if the facts were submitted
to the supreme court be shown to be as
poor in law rs is the II ton apparently
soberIy advocated by the Boston journal
THAI Gov. Glrcelon's term will expire on
the first day of January.
And to show what weak things are adj
voeated US law by men blinded by party
spirit this claim needs only to he stated.
The governor Of Maine holds his Office
one year from the first Wednesday in
January" Now because the first Wednes-
day Of January in 1870 was the first day
of the month certain over Jealous republi-
cans are bitten with the silly idea that
Gov. Garcelon's time is out the first day of
the coming January instead of the first
Wednesday thereof.
While there is discussion about technic-
alities as nonsenscal as this the masses
Of each party are getting angry and hold
ing big meetings, one set denouncing the
governor and council and the other sus.
tanning them. 1t is 10 be noted however
that not all Of the democrats sustain the
counting in and it is uncertain that all
the fusionists who have received certifi-
Gates will sustain tho performance when