Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-03-07
9aiIp Asnasbef Journal.
Augusta, Friday Morn'g, Mar 7, 1879.
Outrageous Proceeding by the
Democratic Aldermen.

Democratic Aldermen
The democratic aldermen opened their
proceedings yesterday, at the session OF
the board for the correction of the check
lists, with an outrage upon personal rights
that should make every decent democrat
in the city blush scarlet for shame.
Postmaster Hamlen having appeared
in the presence of the board to aid in
the correction of the voting lists, which
he had rs much right TO do as any
other citizen, was net by the reading
of the civil service order Of Presi-
dent Hayes to frighten him from the
place of meeting, and that not answering
the purpose intended. a formal vote was
passed, on the motion of Alderman LEM
UEL B. FOWLER, to expei him from the
platform. all the democratic members
Of the board voting for, and the republic
can members against, the motion.
On the copy of the civil service order
read was the record of vote passed by
the Young Mems Democratic Club, de-
claring that if Mr.. Hamlen attempted to
take any part in correcting the voting
lists, President Hayes should be at once
notified by telegraph and Mr.. Hamlen's
removal from the Office of Postmaster de-
manded. So it appears that our DEM
ocratic aldermen acted under. the direc-
ton Of the Young Mems Democratic
Club, and that it is the Young Mems
Democratic Club. and not the aldermen,
who govern our city in the matter of
correcting the lists of voters.
Mr.. Hamlen was born and brought up
in this city. He is one of the the most
quiet, civil and respected gentlemen in
it. His petition for disappointment
as Postmaster last fall was almost univer-
sally signed by our citizens. He is no
brawling politician but just the reverse
a man who would much rather 60 out of
his way to avoid giving offence
than seek quarrel. In the present in
stance he had simply taken his
place upon the platform, said moth
ing, done nothing whatever, to justify
his expulsion. But the Young Mems
Democratic Club decreed his expulsion
and the democratic aldermen voted it.
What right have the aldermen of Au-
gusta to expel citizen from the platform
under the civil service order of the Presi-
dent Of the United States? Does alder
man Fowler find it among his duties to
enforce the civil service order of President
HayesP Does he get his authority as an
alderman from Washington or from the
laws Of this Statea Was he elected to
serve the Young Mems Democratic Club
Of this city or to do the duties of an alder
men as laid down in the statutes of the
State and the ordinances of the city,?
This expulsion was personal and po-
litical outrage. 1t was gross insult
To respected citizen, and the
ultimate object was to damage the
republican party. 1t is another example of
what democrats will do to retain pow
era fitting supplement to the mobilize
demonstrations of 1868 in the city. The
contrast between the course Of the MAORI
ty of the board Of aldermen last year, and
what the majority did yesterday in the
expelling Of Postmaster Hamlcn, is like
changing from the rule of republicanism
as generally known in New England to
the rule of the KuKlux as in Sonth Caro-
lima.