The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1879-12-19

1t is difficult to realize the importance of tho
recent action of the Governor and Council in
DISTINGUISHING the city of Portland. Aside
from the general disgrace which falls on the
whole state, as the result of this unprecedent-
ed course adopted by the Executive, the Pc
ruliar conditions and relations of the city with
the other parts of the state, and the importance
Of the questions which are likely to arise dur
ing the coming session, render the wrong
which has been inflicted upon our people
peculiar hardship. In our business relations
The city is closely connected with every part
If the state. Her wholesale trade, commerce
and manufactures extend not only to every
town and city of Maine, but establish her re-
lations with other commercial centers beyond
our own borders. In point of population and
wealth she exceeds any other city in the state.
She affords a terminus for four important
railroad systems, two lines Of steamships, and,
during the winter season, she furnishes port
for two lines of foreign steamers 1t is obvious,
that in ordinary years important matters for
legislation nearly affecting the material well
fare of the community would arise out of
these varied interests; but when it is re-
nembered that during the coming session of
the Legislature It will be necessary to adjust
existing laws with the amendment of the con-
stitution establishing biennial sessions, and
especially that the property of the citizens is to
De revalued so as to form the basis of state and
county taxes to be paid by each person for the
next ten years, the outrage of depriving our
people of their Just representation becomes APP
parent to every honest and fair minded man.
Nor is the question one which affects the
members of one party more seriously than
those of the other The business interests of
Republicans and Democrats are alike affected
and the property of every citizen is equally
ubiect to the burden of taxation, whatever
may be the political views of its owner The
disaster liable to follow from the fact that
these interests are left unprotected by proper
representation and that our citizens have no
voice in matters of legislation falls with equal
severity upon all. For this reason, even if we
disregard the higher considerations involved
the duty of the people to resent this fraud
which, for the sake, of supposed political
expediency deprives them even temporarily Of
their right of representation rises above all
considerations of party. 1t is far more i'm
portant that the material interests of the city
should be protected than that few scheming
and selfish politicians should succeed.
The pretense by which our citizens are dis
franchised is so frivolous and transparent that
it needs only to be stated to be appreciated.
The constitution provides that the city clerk
shall make return into the Office of Secretary
of State of the lists Of votes given in the sew
eral wards for Senators, Representatives and
other civil officers. 1t also contains appropri-
ate directions to the wardens and clerks of the
several wards for receiving, counting, record
ing and returning to the city clerk the votes
thrown and the persons voted for.
II is made the duty of the Governor and
Council to examine such returns made by the
city clerk, and to issue a summons to such per-
sons t'as shall appear to be elected by plurality
Of the votes returned"
This provision of the constitution is supple
mented by appropriate legislation and by the
act of 1877 provision is made for the correction
of defective returns in certain particulars, and
it further provides that "when return is de-
fective by reason Of any informality, a duly
attested copy of the record may be substituted
therefor"
In the case of the city of Portland, the re-
turn was signed by the mayor, city clerk and
six aldermen: it contained the whole number
of ballots given, and there appeared upon it's
face that each of the Eve Republican Repre-
sentatives received plurality of all the votes
thrown Of between six and seveu hundred votes.
The only defect that was claimed by, the re-
turning board was that there also appeared on
the return the words, scattering, one humid
red and forty-three." 1t is clear that if this
number be added or subtracted, or not count
ed at all, it would not make the slightest diff
ference in the result, and the will of the peo-
pie, as expressed at the polls, would appear
clearly upon the face OF the return. But it
was necessary to throw out the city of Port
land in order to give to three opposition candi- |
dates for the Senate and candidates for the
county offices of Cumberland county places to
which they had never been elected by the peo-
ple The return had all the accuracy which
would be required in the most solemn legal
proceedings, and when the Governor and
Council substituted themselves for the people,
Of whom they are but the servants, and de-
prived city of its voice in the House of Rep |
resentatives, they violated not only the plain
est dictates of justice but alsoth requirements
Of the law, and by this means accomplished ia |
the Council chamber, behind the backs of |
their opponents, what they were unable to do |
in a square, stand-up fight at the polls.
Itremains to be seen whether this action on
the part Of the Governor and Council will be
approved by the opposition Senators and Rep |
resentatives who will assemble in Augusta in |
January next. If they are actuated by the |
same spirit then we may expect to see the city |
deprived of representation altogether or be |
compelled to resort to a new election In any |
event it is to be feared the attempt will be |
made to deprive the city of its constitutional |
privilege to participate in the election OF Gov !
ernor and other State officers, and in the organ
ization of The House. But, for the honor of |
the State, it is to be hoped that the men who |
compose the Legislature VIII fe5eognlze the
serving inviolate the fundamental principle of |
a Republican government by declaring that |
in all matters pertaining to the State the right |
of representation of the people shall be up |
held and maintained