The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1879-12-29


HERBERT w. LATHE,
JAMES MCWHINNIE.
Augusta sends petition headed by Thomas
Lambard, Esq, prominent Democrat, and
signed by 1872 leading citizens, including three
ex-Governors--Hon. Joseph FL. Williams Hon.
Arson P. Morrill, and Hon. Selden Conner.
Skowhegan sends petition signed by Judge
James Bell and 102 others.
Ellsworth sends petition headed by ex-At-
torney General Emery and Mayor Davis, and
signed by liz prominent citizens
Damariscotta sends petition headed by B.
W. Metcalf, the large ship builder, and signed
by 80 others
Bucksport sends petition headed by III. D.
Hadlock, prominent Democratic lawyer, and
signed by "a others.
Bowdoin sends petition headed by Alohzo
Purrinton, and signed by 81 others.
Franklin sends a petition signed by jos ph
H. West and % others.
GARDINER, Dec. 27.--A petition has been
sent to the Governor and Council signed by
two hundred and ffty-three citizens of both
parties, urging the "propriety, expediency and
justice of asking the opinion of the Supreme
Judicial Court in accordance with the request
contained in the communication addressed to
His Excellency the oath of December by Hon.
Lot M Morrill,.
Letter from Ex-Gov. chamberlain to Gov.
Garcelon.
Especial Despatch to the Press.
BRUNSWICK, Dec. 27.-Ex-Gov. Cham ber-
lain sent the following letter to Gov. Garcelon
yesterday:
BRUNSWICK Dec. 9th, 1879.
To the Hon. ALonzo Garcelon, Governor Of Maine
In the responsible position which you occupy as
highest guardian of the rights and peace OF the peo
Pile, you cannot without deep concern the mani
festatons of excited feeling pervadng the COM
munIty and the increasing appeals to passions and
forces which should not be resorted to for the set
Element of such questions as those now before us,
and which are likely to have results greatly detrl-
mental to the public welfare
Many men of all parties, and men not accustomed
cang the critical and trying position in Which You
are placed, are earnestly DESTROYS that you
should all means in your power to secure just
decision of these matters and one which all shall
see to be fairly reached
The popularity of the case is that great .polti-
cal party including of course due proportion of
considerate and right-Innded men, believe that in
the canvass of electoral returns lately made they
have been fairly dealt with, and even that the
forms ofaw have been used to defeat the ends of law
do not make this allegation here but ask your at
tention to the fact that such feeling and belief ex
lists, and even among men OF other parties than the
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 Repub-
lcan candidates for the Senate and House, has been
practically reversed by the Governor and Council.
it 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 Constltu-
ton and the laws in the discharge of duty, and as
the questions raised of the interpretation OF the
laws governing their administration, there GER
tainly cannot exist in your mind any objection to
submitting these questions, as has been proposed to
the appropriate tribunal to which the Constitution
expressly gives you access for aid and support.
1 am confident that all good citizens will not only
reached but will also respect and honor you for
thus doing all in your personal power to have right
discovered and indicated
1t would be most unhappy circumstance IL the
solution of such questions were in any manner LETT
to the arbtrament of civil discord and strife 1t is
to secure the peaceful solution Of such questions
that laws and governments 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 there
fore of the utmost Importance that these forms
should be used as not to bring into contempt the
authority and sanctity of law itself.
Confident that you will deem it OF far less impor-
lance to see any party whatever in office, than to
make it evident to all that impartial fairness and
scrupulous honor have presided at your delibera-
tions would respectfully urge you to submit to the
court all questions which exceptions are taken,
on constitutional or legal grounds to your recent
action. Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
JOSHUA l.. CHAM BERLAIN.