The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1879-12-27

the following six clergymen: G. w. Hudson, H.
Plummer of DamariscottaS L. Hanscom OF Sleeps
cot Oiethodists); w. f. 0. Bean of Newcastle, L.
D. Evans of Bristol, (Congregationalist; G. " Han
son (Bapist of Damariscotta
All the speakers were enthusiastically applauded.
Lengthy resolutions were adopted, the last two OF
which were follows:
RESOLVED, That while we earnestly desire peace
full adjustment of this unfortunate state of things
at the same time request Senator-eect Smith
and Representative-elect Hall to every means
in their power to obtain their seats to which the
voters called them at the organization of the Legis-
ature and should they not be able SO to do then
request them to join in organizing the Legislature
at some place where majority of both branches
duly elected can carry out the expressed will OF the
people.
Resoired That we pledge our lawfully elected
Senators and Representatives throughout the State
earnest support in whatever course they may
decide to follow, trusting legal measures may
complish what is just and right and that force, the
last great right of freemen, may not become neces-
sary.
Enthusiastic Meeting in Calais--Stirring
Speech by Hon. E. A Pike.
CALAIS, Dee 2G.-1n response to petition signed
by several hundred citizens Mayor Boardman
called a meeting in st. Croix Hall tonight to con
slider the action of the Governor and Council.
large audience was present, including delegations
from the surrounding towns, and the meeting was
characterized by earnestness and solemnity not
seen since the great war meetings. The Mayor was
chosen president and made brief but forcible
speech. He argued immediate action by the people,
and said prompt action would have saved us rebel
lion. Indications of impending anarchy are even
stronger now than when Sumter was frod upon.
The following vice presidents were elected: Caleb
Gilman, Meddybemps; W. R. Allan, Dennysvine; j.
F. Staples, Baileyville T. r. Leach Robblnston; j.
B. Stevens Eastport; e. A. Barnard, Calais. An
earnest prayer was offered bysRev. W. w. Lovsjoy.
He asked that those exposed to temptation might
refuse to partake of the fruits of iniquity.
Hon. f. A. Pike spoke at length reviewing the
action at Augusta from the start. He said the
differs from other contests in the State and far
as he was acquainted from contests elsewhere
that towns had been DISTINGUISHED, and
Representatives and Senators deprived of their
seats without pretense of justification. In all
other instances when party majorities have con-
trolled in their own interests, reasons have been
given that had in them less of force; but in
this case no reason can be given
The Governor in his written defence has gone as
far the facts decisions or precedents will furnish
excuse, and then stopped. Here are five cases. to
say nothing of others, decided because it was neces
sary to have fusion majority, and for other rea
son. The Governor does not attempt to justify
them Cushman is counted-in in Ashlanddistrict,a and
in order to do it votes thrown for Afford Cushman
have been counted for Alfred Gushman while votes
thrown for John Burnam have been refused as votes
for John Burnhan In Lisbon district they say by
disappearance of the returns in two towns of the
class the selectmen's names were not written by
themselves, and so the two towns were thrown out,
when all SIX OF the SeleCUmen, parG OF blem DEMO
Gratis appeared before the Governor and swore that
each man signed his own name. In Skowhegan dis
trict they threw out Skowhegan because the Repub-
can votes were OF unusual slze and this they call
distinguishing mark when the statute provides
that votes with distinguishing mark when once in
the ballot box cannot be withdrawn, but must
be counted. In the Pennington class they throw
out Pennington with its SO majority because the
clerk in summing up the vote for Representative
candidates, and so Representative elected by 36
majority is obliged to yield to person having one
majority in an adjoining plantation in the same
class and the town clerk declares the for the
difference is that the representative candidates
names were erased on four of the tickets, and the
constitution of the State makes provision for re-
turns of the whole number of votes but only that
the vote for each man voted for shall be returned
Mr. Pike also reviewed the cases of the thrown
out returns from Cherry1eld, Skowhegan, etc. He
characterized the action of Gov. Garcelon and
Council bold usurpation and without precedent.
His points were well received and frequently ap-
plauded. Able speeches also made by E. A.
Barnard ESQ.,, Hon. VIM. Duren and others.
A letter from the venerable Hon. Joseph Granger
G. b. Rounds ESQ, related his experience at Au-
gusta and said the Council lied about his retract-
ing the charges that the returns were tempered
with. He had proof, that one town made a correct
correction was discovered both returns have been
destroyed and blank paper substituted. Other
frauds could be proved. He counselled bitter re-
sistanee. Rev. Mr.. Edridge said the count the
most outrageous rascally fraud ever known. Hon.
L. G. Downes, member of the Council in 1874 and
1873 gave instances to show they obeyed the law of
1877 and corrected errors like present ones in Port
land, Robbinston and Danforth, thus seating Demo-
erats,-one of the present Council then attorney
and claimed the law of 1877 should be obeyed By
the rules adopted by the present Council, the Re
publicans last year would have had a majority and
retained power, but none advised it because wrong
After brief remarks by Kew. Mr.. Padelford, E. G.
Gates S. Rideout and others, the following resolu-
tions were adopted:
First The people of Calais assembled to consider
the recent action of the Governor and Council in re-
gard to returns of votes for Senators, Representa-
lives and county officers, hereby declare in their
Judgment Gov. Garceon and Council have deliberate
y, for partisan purposes, dsregarded the plain prin-
ciples of popular government and have proved false
to their oaths and to the high trusts reposed in
them.
Second, They have attempted to defeat the will of
the people clearly expressed at the recent cleo
ton by of Etechnicalites based upon acciden
tai or intentional errors by town officers.
Third, They have manifested outrageous PARTISAN
ship by DISTINGUISHING Republican towns, because
alleged defects in returns and yet have refused
to dsfranehise Democratic towns in whose returns
precisely the same defects were proved to exist
Fourth, They have by refusing investigation prac-
tically admitted original returns which have been
altered in the interest of their party, notwith
standing they claim such returns cannot be legally
amended
else of power DISTINGUISHED towns without notice
| and without evidence, and in cases where it has
since been proved defects in their returns existed
Sixth-rhey have usurped the powers OF the
coul Is which alone determine the constitution
aty of statutes and have, though requested so to
do refused to ask the opinion of the court thus by
| their arbitrary will depriving the people Of
their legal right to correct under the law of
1877 md that by these and similar misdemeanors
they have in defiance of law and regardless of facts,
so manipulated returns and disfranchsed voters as
to fost upon the people Legislature not elected by
them, and have, in open disregard of their sworn
duty, been guilty of acts essentially revolutionary
Seventh-We further declare that such having
been the conduct of the Governor and Council in
relation TO the vital matter of constituting the state
government for the next political year by such
thin violations of their plain duty we know no way
to act but to resist, and we counsel resistance by
every way known to the law We insist that fraud
violates decisions of governors and councils as well
as OF private individuals, and counsel those VINO
have been elected and refused their proper certlh-
Gates to go and demand the rights given them by
the popular VOTE and under circumstances to
submit to the wrong attempted upon the body pollt-
ic as well as upon themselves.
Eighth-And we further protest with all our ener-
gy against the movement of arms under the order
Of Gov. Garcelon at Bangor on Christmas day. 1t
indicates a determination on the partaof the Gov
and his advisors to the voters of the
state and prevent them from asserting their rights
on the assembling of the Legislature. But they
mistake fife temper of the people We have no de
sire to resort to force. We prefer peaceful methods
OF law and public discussion, but the Governor and
his advisers should know that the citizens of the
will yield their rights for anybodys threat
and are determined to pursue them at whatever
peril.
An executive committee was appointed to act
with committees in other towns, of which Hon. F.
a. Pike is chairman.
An Indignation Meeting Called in Wilton.
FARMINGToN. Dec. 26-The following call for
Indignation meeting in Wilton is being circulated
in that town:
We the undersigned, respectfully invite the citi-
of Wilton and vicinity, without regard to party
to assemble at Academy Hall, Wilton, Saturday
evening" Dec. 9th, at o'clock to give voice to
the Indignation felt by all good citizens at the UNI
precedened outrage perpetrated in the notification
| of the will of the people.
Etna Does Not Sanction the Fraud
| NEWPORT, Me, Dec. 26.-The Republicans
! of Etna held well attended indignation meeting
Wednesday evening. Resolutions were adopted con-
demning the Governor and Council in the Sc
verest terms, j. c. French, Wallace Friend and
| Moses Abbott were chosen committee to confer
with other town committees, that all may act to
| gether.