Daily Republican., 1879-11-20
THE MAINE CONSPIRACY.
An Interview with Senator Blaine.

An Intervlew with Senator Blaine.
A special dispatch from Augusta,
Me-, to the New York "Hersld," says :
Mr. Blaine, always pleasant and hos
pitable, walked in. followed by the
venerable senior Senator OF ths State,
Hannibal Hamlin, Congressman Reed
aud the pugnacious Boutells, Of the
Bangor "Whig." A desultory conver-
sation opened, Of course, on the topic
of all topics, the count OF the votes by
the Governor and Council. Mr.. Blaine
led, Of course, and in answer to ques-
ton, said:
The simple matter Is this: The Re-
publicans demand tair play and q fair
count, and they mean to use all reason
able means to secure it. The present
Governor and Council have secreted the
returns, which have always hitherto
been open to the gaze of any respec.s-
BILE citizsn. | have lived in sight OF
the State House for twenty years
and the correspondent OF the "Herald"
or any other Interested gentleman
could during that tims have mad access
to the election returns sent by the va
rious town and city authorities TO the
Secretary of State. 1t is, to say the
least, suspicious that an innovation
should DO made now.
What is your opinion about the al
legged conspiracy to count out certain
Republicans and so secure the Lsgisla-
ture 7"
"Well,I don't think the consprators
feel as brave or as determined to-day
as they did yesterday"
This Mr.. Blaine said significantly,
while looking around on the gentlemen
present, who smiled approval.
"Do you attribute the change in
tone, which you say that you observe,
to the presence Of the large Republican
delegation now in town :"
"Yes think it has had its effect. "
"What reason had you to believe
that fraud would be attempted p
"Well, we have information, for in
stance, that several Democratic returns
have been sent back to the towns for
correction. They contained Irregular
ties which would, according to the plan
proposed, vitiate the election. The re-
turns are merely transcripts from the
town records. Under the law, during
certain tine-tgenty days from the
opening Of the Official c5unt--parties in
terestsd can appear and correct any in
lormalitie5 existing, that is those which
arise from difference between the copy
and the original entry on the town
records. This, it seems, the present
executive department is determined to
deny us, while they have, as is reported
in many cases, secretly afforded an op-
portunity TO Democratic clerks to make
necessary amendations."
"What is the significance to your
mind OF the expression, SO much harp
ed on by the fusion councillors, that
the returns will be counted according
to the forms of law ?"
Mr.. Reed, who had sat still and lis
tened, here interposed with the remark,
"You may we'll say forms of law 1t
is according to the forms, and not the
law, that they propose to act"
Mr.. Blaine nodded and allowed the
ans wer to stand as his own.
"What is the Republican plan Of ac-
ton"
swell, We propose to watch closely
and work persisteDtly to prevent the
burglarious seizure OF the Government
aud the upsetting of the will of the
people.
We were prepared TO submit grace
fully to defeat but not to robbery. Now
last year," he continued, "the Repnb.
licans were defeated at the polls. We
had majority Of the Senate and only
lacked seven to have majority in the
II ouss. It would have been very easy
matter for the Governor aud Council to
change this result. had they been so
inclined, but they made no such at
tempt and honestly and fairly declared
The choice Of the voters, even when 1t
turned them ont Of Oiic'. Now it Is
proposed 10 change the complexion OF
both houses in a most hagrant manner.
To this we will not submit. As | said
before we would have gracefully sub
mitted, but rot to robbery"