The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1879-12-22
Gov. Garcelon Explains.

In support of his action in reference to
the election returns in Maine, Governor
Garcelon, sends the following statement to
the New York Sun, which is addressed to
the whole people. and is as follows:
kilograms and suggestions having
reached the undersigned to the effect that
Gov. Garcelon and his council owe to the
democracy of the United States IN parti-
cular, and the public generally. full,
explicit explanation of exactly what they
have have done and why they did it,
herewith submit for general information q
concise statement of the constitutional
requirements in relation TO elections OF
senators and lie. resentatives in this
state the action of the governor
duty imposed upon them by that instru.
ment, and the statute laws in accord
Herewith.
Here follows the constitutional and sta
tutory requirements, which the governor
summarizes further on. He then pro
ceeds
In the discharge of their duty OF ex-
aiming the returns and issuing certificates
or summons to the parties appearing 20 be
elected the governor and council have not
only endeavored to follow both the letter
and spirit of the constitution and laws
made in accordance Herewith, indicated
by their own judgment. but the advice of
their duly appointed legal officer, aided by
the
BEST LEGAL TALENT IN THE STATE.
And here let it be remembered that the
decision of the governor and council is not
final. The constitution makes the senate
and heuse of representatives respectively
[
own members. All the lists or returns
which have been confded to the council
are to belaid before the senate aud house
OF representatives on the first Wednesday
OF July, annually. and they shall finally
determine who are elected. With those
directions and requirements before them
what is the governor and council required
to do? To examine these returns, ascer
their validity, and compare them with the
provisions of the constitution and the law.
And,
/. They must have been sealed in open
town meeting, and in presence of the
selectmen, and. by necessary implication.
must come into the hands of the governor
and council in that condition.
:. They must be genuine returns. com
ing from bona fde towns or plantations
legally constituted and organized
., 1neY must De signed by the legal
officers of the towns-that is, as elected by
the counts, by majority OF the municipal
officers of town or city, and certainly by
the clerk.
f. They must contain statement of
the whole number of ballots cast for the |
officer voted for, and the office for which |
he was voted to fill.
5. They must contain the name of each |
person voted for with the number of votes |
against his name that were thrown for
him.
6. The names of the officers signing
the returns must be written with their
own hands Gas per judicial decision, GS
Maine, page 5S7.)
Applying these rules to the varied re-
turns, a tabulation of the persons voted |
ior for the different offices, with the votes
each has received, determines the re-
suit
La the inspection of returns and tabula-
aion OF the same, which has just been CON-
pietec 10y myself and council. it has been /
'ur purpose to apply to every return
THE SAME RULE.
to-wit, compliance with the requirements
OF the constitution and the Law. without