Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-11-15
naiIp Nennebet Journal.
Augusta, Saturday Morning, Eov. 10, '7e.
Revolution Begun.

week that an attempt would be MADE ny
the Governor and Council to count out the
republican majority in the Legislature
aud count in fusion majority. AT firs'
these were very faint and few people paid
any attention to them. Still the rumors
continued and grew. There were CIV
ings-out in the fusion organs that indi-
Gated, if they did not positively declare
such purpose. But the public was IN
credulous. Few could bring themselves
to believe that such an outrage upon the
rights of the people. SO plainly and di-
rectly opposed to the Constitution of the
State, had any other basis than mere sus-
picion. The general opinion among re-
publicans has been, until very recently,
that the scheme, if it existed at all. was
confined to few irresponsible persons
who had nothing to lose if it were at
tempted, and that the Governor and Coun-
Gil would never become parties to such an
atrocious assault upon the sovereign rights
of the people.
But within twenty-four hours change
has come over the minds of men. Facts
have come to the public knowledge which
scarcely leave room for doubt that a
deliberate conspiracy has been formed to
wrest from the republican party the power
which was placed in their hands at the
State election, and that part of the Coun-
ell at least. with Governor Garcelon
probably, have consented to become the
tools of the desperate eonspirators.
We have steadily refused to give any
couLtenance to the idea that the Governor
and Council would do this deplorable
thing against the peace and laws OF the
State. but facts recently learned from I'M
doubted authority will not allow us long
err to believe that the Governor and Coun-
Gil are innocent of this great conspiracy.
The facts appear to be that the official
returns which the public have been led TO
suppose have been kept sacred, have been
under inspection and manipulation several
weeks. They have been studied solely
with the purpose of preventing the result
of the late election by the basest of trick
cry. The question has not been, what is
the duty of the Governor and Council I'M
der the laws and the constitution, but
how shall the returns be so distorted, and
legal technicalities, bubbles and evasions
be so employed as to count out the honest
republican majority elected at the polls
and count in a bogus fusion majority.
And at last. after weeks of secret, dark,
miserable labor, the scheme is ripe, revo-
luton is fairly afoot in the State. and next
Monday or Tuesday, unless the cOnspira-
tors are defeated in their efforts, the plot
will be contaminated.
We publish in other columns this morn
ing the full list of senators and repre-
sentatives elected to the Fifty-eighth Leg
islature. 1t was compiled with the utmost
care from the copies of the returns at the
State House, and then submitted to the
inspection and revision of the most COM
petent authorities in every county Of the
State. 1t is as absolutely correct as a list
can be made except perhaps in some
small inconsequential points. This list
shows that the republicans have 10 sena-
tors, the democrats IA republican ma
jority Of Z. In the House the republicans
have SO members. the democrats 81, and
there is one vacancy, a republican MEM
Der elect having died since election
Thus the republicans have now of men,
bers elected to the House a clear majority
of %, which will be increased TO 20 when
the vacancy is filled.
These are the majorities which the Gov
ernor and Council are expected to count
out, and thus, by exercising a greater
stretch Of power than any despot in Eu-
rope would dare to employ, trample down
the decision Of the people at the ballot
box, and set up their own creatures in
control of the government. Why hold
elections, if the Governor and Council
have the power that is claimed for them by
the cabal that is bounding them on to this
unlawful and unholy work? If they can
count out and down republican majority
of 80 in this way, they can just as well
count down one of 70, and continue theil
party in power as long as they please
There is no limit TO such a power unless
the people rise in their might, and, by
main force, hurl the usurpers down.
Ii will be seen that the republicans are
not going to submit tamely to the plans OF
the conspirators to seize the government
Notice has been served upon the Governor
and Council by Messrs. Baker a. Baker
also by Mr.. Heath, of desire to be heard
before them in certain eases said TO be in
dispute. 1t is intimated that parties will
not be allowed TO appear in behalf of the
republicans doomed to the block. and tina,
the certificates are already prepared to b,
Al