New-York tribune., 1879-12-08
in this oud talk about Republican bribery and cor
Iuption at the late State electionf

pay altnouRn TOOK n somewhat active part I'D tne
campaign. and have always heretofore put in my
share of money. thonght they must be getting
along very economically and the charges in our
neighbOrhood were of the most trivial character
pair of cheap boots leading OIL as the most con-
spcuous evidence of corruption. Those who have
figured il up say that the whole evidence of the cX
pendture of money by the Republicans in the state
thus far amounts to SIS: This seems very amusing
when the chairman of the Republican State Com
mitee in public speech, two nights after the cleo
tion, said the Committee had expended $4,000 In
the campaign for campaign papers, public speakers.
documents and getting home voters ana all otner
expenses of the campaign. and offered to show the
vouchers 10 any curious inquirer.
Reporter-f there was bribery is that not
matter on which prosecution could be based IN our
courts
Mr. Pike-Of course. and it was tried in our
county. Parties went before the Grand jury, COM
posed rs il of eleven fusionsts and seven Ne
publicans aud told their stories To their hearts con-
tent 1t was just after the State election and they
jury threw the whole thing out with great unanimlty
and with disgust. too as they voted not to 90
into any further investigation OF the matter The
gossip of tie thing was that the Democrats got
enough fully soon as the Republicans. And while
l am on this matter may say that as a member OF
the Constitutional Commission in 1873. aided in
reporting an anti-bribery oath which, if put into
the Constitution would have gone far 10 destroy
bribery at elections. Afterwards as Representa-
tive from my town. | carried II through Repub-
lican House. The fusonists last year had majority
In the House, but their zeal against bribery dld not
endeavor to manifest itself IN legislation. IL only
needed something to divert the public mind from
their efforts TO defeat the popular VOTE.
RepOrter-What do YOU understand as TO the
method by which the Governor and Council propose
to deirand the Republicans OF their majority OF
twenty-nine IN the Honse and seven in the Senate.
Mr.. Pike-Why it they do il they Will insist on
technical objections in certain returns. as in
Portland Lewiston. Calais and other large Repub-
lican towns and declaring no election, This simply
decreases the Republican strength. Then they can
take certain close towns that have chosen
Republican Representatives and find teechni-
cal objections to the vote OF the kepqbllean i
they will call the legal vote for the Democratic and
Fusion candidate. This second operation not only
throws out Republican but puts i'll Il Democrat or
Greenbacker. And, OF cOurse, when they have pur-
sued this plan far enough TO count out the Republi
can majority of twenty-nne in the House. the Re-
publican majority IN the Senate Will have likewise
Reporter~Then you think they intend to take tho
whole State government by this fraudf
Mr. plke-It would seem so. although was slow
10 believe it. The first step Is to seize both branches
of the Legislature and that enables them to elect
their Governor and choose all the STATE officers ana
completely set aside the verdict OF the people in
Reporter-what in your Judgment is the motive
for tins extraordinary course OF Governor Iarceoh
and his COuncl1 .
Mr.. Pike-Well, it is looking more and more as if
il goes far beyond the mere usurpaton OF the State
government, and Is aided and abetted by parties
outside the State for its possible effect on National
politics in the Presidential election.
Reporter--But won't this outrage sink them below
Mr. Pike-Undoubtedly il will by a fair vote of
the people; but you must remember these same eX-
merits in the art OF counting election returns Will DC
In a position to do the counting next year again'
and if they succeed i'll counting out without re-
buke a majority on JOINT ballot of thirty-six this
year. they might be able TO improve in their game
by next year. -,
sczing the electoral voteY
Mr. Pike--lt is clearly competent for the Legisla-
ture 10 change the mode of choosing Presidential
electors, and If they succeed IN installing irandu, %
terms the Constitution. choose the Presidential
electors themselves and not allow the people Of
Maine TO have any voice IN the election at al IL
fair results of this years election w0ulo not stop
with the job now IN hand. TINS greater result,
however, could only be accomplished by the action
of the Legislature, and speak Of 1t as among the
legal possibilities. 49,
Reporter-What is the remedy for this atrocious
outraged ..,..
nrepared to speak. One good meeting OF leading
Democrats in any town city III the State protest.
ing against unfarness in the count would set the
Whole thing right. But as yet nave neard OF 10
Democrat or Grecnbacker. except Scion Chase, VINO
has said word i'll public the subject. No set OF
men acting as Governor and Councii, would so
through the schemes ! have indicated ana push
through its captions and fraudulent details unless
their partisans in the State were quite unanimous
i'm the approyal OF their dOngs Before the thing Is
actually done hope TO hear some OF the respectable
Democrats or Greenbackcrs give Their opinions IN
something more than general platltunes, anu say
whether they think this job of changing lnrty-six
Rcpu bcan majority into fusion majority should
he done on any pretext whatever. IL should always
be borne III mind that no question rs madc Dy any =
body anywhere that II the vote, as actually cast aI
the polls is counted, this Republican majority Of
tLirtv-six will be found to exist, and so the bald
ouesflon is whether minority shall be substituted
by the Governor and Council Tor the majority
chosen by the people.