Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-12-25
WEBSTER AND LISBON.

WEBSTER AND LISBON.
A stunning Case for the Governor
and COuncil-The Selcctmen Of
Webster and Lisbon before them
They Swear that they Signed
the Returns.
The three Selectmen of Webster, William
H. Wright, II. ID. Y. Philbrook, c. II. Max
WE'LL and the three selctmen of Lisbon,
f. \. Chamberlain, J. r. Edgecomb and +.
NJ. Shaw were before the Governor and
Council yesterday. 1t will be remembered that
both these towns were thrown out on the
ground that all the names of selectmen on
the return in each town, had been signed by
one and the same man.
| The Council made this decision er parte
on the motion. it is understood, of Council
or Fogg, there beirg no evidence whatever
before the Council on the subject, and neither
town being notified of the change.
Every selectman of each town made oath yes
to-day, before the Governor and Council that
each had signed for himself, in the presence
of the others and each one sworc not only to
his signature but to the signature of the
others. Each selectman of both towns then
in the presence of the Governor and Council
made his accustomed signature, and the witt
ing of each name correspondent precisely
with the signature made by each on the re-
turns Councillor Fogg then wanted to know
/ I...I =. Al.
name of the town clerk to the returns. Each
selectman of both towns swore that he had
not, and they all swore that they saw the re-
turns signed by the clerk in open town meet
ing.
Orvile ID. Baker, Esq, then on behalf Of
the selectmen of each town offered to bring
the clerk of each town to testify before the
council any day and hour they would appoint.
Signatures of the town clerk or other docu-
mcnts admitted to be original were then pro-
duced and compared and found to correspond
exactly with the signatures to the returns.
Every selectman of each town further made
oath that the returns were signed and sealed
in open town meeting.
Orvlle ID. Baker, Esq, for and on behalf
of the selectmen of each town, then asked the
Governor and Council whether there was any
other objection of any name or nature against
the validity and regularity of the returns from
Lisbon and Webster. Mr.. Baker reminded
the Council that the selectmen from both
towns were all present at great inconvenience
| I IL e., 4,
lection could possibly be made to the returns
of either, now and here were the time and
place to make it. Mr. Baker closed
by saying to the Council that if
from both towns would assume that the Coun-
ell had no further question or objection re-
speeding the returns from either town. Moth
ing was said further by the Council or by the
Governor, and the seleclmen of both Lisbon
and Webster left with the comforting belief
that Governor Garcelon would order the re-
turns from both towns to be counted and
would at once recall the certificate of election
as Representative from Mr.. Beal democrat,
of Durham and order new one to issue to
Mr.. Thomas, republican, who was elected by
large majority. 1t is expected, moreover,
that Mr.. Beal will at once return the certif-
cate when he sees it fairly demonstrated that
Mr. Thomas was actually and legally elected.
There is said To be a great deal of excite
ment in both Lisbon and Webster, on ac-
count of their vote being thrown out, for rea-
sons that had no foundation whatever,
in fact or law. One of the
selectmen of Webster, Mr.. Wright,
is democrat and man of high standing with
his party. He and his two colleagues in or
der to secure ahearing before the Governor and
Council yesterday travelled through driving
snow storm thirty miles in an open sleigh
before nine o'clock in the morning, leaving
home long before daylight The democrats
and greenbackers of Webster are said to be as
much excited over the matter as the republi-
cans. They hold Councillor Fogg response
Bile for the whole transaction, and they go so
far as to state that the certificate was sent to
Mr.. Beal without even the knowledge of Gov
ernor Garcelon. This fact gives them the
more confidence that Governor Garcelon will
insist on justice being done He is personal
ly acquainted with all the parties living in
his own county, and is fully aware and firmly
persuaded of the great outrage that has been
perpetrated against Lisbon and Webster.
|
The Androscoggin republican senator's, who
have been certified, have been notified by
Messrs. Tibbetts and Lane, that the latter
propose to contest the seats of the former on
the claim that the Auburn election was ille-
gal. The programme seems to be to make a
clean sweep of the republicans.
! Indignation meetings were held at Sonth
Paris, Oxford and Bridgton and Cumberland.
last Tuesday evening
| call has been issued for an indignation
meeting at Ellsworth. next Tuesday evening.