The Portland daily press., 1879-12-04
The Wrangle at Augusta.

The peculiar attitude in which the Gov
crnor and Council have placed themselves
cannot but provoke grave suspicion. They
have insisted all along that they intended to
be governed by the strict letter of the law
and should act in accordance with it, no
matter what the result might be. But the
moment they find law that conflicts with
iheir wishes they at once pronounce it un-
constitutional and decline to obey its pro-
visions. They promised that the returns
should be exhibited this week, and when
those Republicans who claim to be members
elect of the Legislature made their appear
ance at the doors of the Council Chamber
the Council turned upon Itself and declined
to permit an examination of the returns.
They have given the people to understand
that the canvass would be conducted openly
and fairly. They now announce their deter
mination to conduct it in secret session.
The course Of the Council throughout
points to the conclusion that it has re-
solved to count in fusion majority in
The Legislature. The assurances it has
gwen nave UbCll UiSiCil w SJhSeihS 'iAAhNt "
throw Republicans off their guard, and to
use up the number of days in which correc-
ton of the returns may be made. In max
ing this assumption we may be doing inJus-
tice to the Council. But if that body is
misunderstood it has only itself to blame.
Its tortuous ana evasive conduct has given
rise to grave suspicious that its action here
after will confirm or allay. II it has been
misjudged it has no reasonable cause of
complaint. 1t has pretended to be governed
by devout attachment to the very letter oil
the law, and the first statute that bars its
intention it coolly pushes aside as unconsti-
tutional. 1t insists that the Supreme Court
has no right to interfere with coordinate
branch of the Government. But it unhesi-
tatingly usurps the prerogatives OF the
Court 1t declares it will be governed by
precedents, and it rejects the precedents set
by State Administrations for years past. 1t
asserts that its only intention is to do right.
Does it intend to defeat the evident viii of
the people, and give the control Of the Leg
isature to party whose claims were sub
mitted to the voters of Maine, and decs-
lively rejected by them?
1t does appear as though the Council were
to govern itself by the spirit Of Rob Roy's
plea ''that they shall take who have the pow
er and they shall keep who can" In that
case it may be well to let them work their
will. Perhaps no legal obstacles stand i'll
the way, and an appeal to equity will in all
probability be useless. Perhaps the process
of redress through the courts will be so slow
that the wrong will be consummated before
the remedy can be applied. Ii this be SO
the defrauded people will take the matter
into their own hands next September. They
can afford to wait That is certainly wiser
and better than to keep the capital in tur-
mol all this Winter. When the day of
reckoning comes, the settlement of accounts
will be full and final, and the men who have
been guilty of a great wrong will receive
their punishment at the hands of the free
men whose will they have defeated and
iaA cilaicn -thau have disrenardaa.