New-York tribune., 1879-12-20

Inc Indignation meeting at Augusta, ncp
last night, was largely attended, delegations
being in attendance from various parts OF
the State. Senator Blaine addressed the meet
ing, giving statement of the result of the ac-
tiOn of the Governor and Council. He criti-
cised the course of the State authorities
severely, and exposed the pretexts upon which
the fraud was committed. The carrying out OF
the further plans of the Democrats, he said,
will be prevented by the expression of the
feeling existing among the people. Resolu-
tiOns condemning the action Of the Governor
and Council were adopted.
THE MEETING AT AUGUSTA.
SENATOR BLAINE EXPOSES The ACTION OF THE
GOVERNOR AND COUNCIL, AND DECLARES THAT
THE FURTHER DEMOCRATIC PLANS WILL BE
PREVENTED BY THE PEOPLE.
AUGUSTA, Nc, Dec. 10-The indignation meet
ing tonight was attended by an immense crowd.
delegations from various parts Of the State forming
an imposing feature of the demonstration. Granite
Hail. where the meeting was held, was not large
enough to hold all who wished to gain admittance.
The meeting was called to order by Joseph A. Ho-
man, who made speech expressive Of the senti-
ments that demanded the meeting. Ex-Governor
COnnor was then chosen chairman. Several speeches
made and resolutions were adopted condemna-
tory of the action of the Governor and Council.
The enthusiasm was intense.
In response TO loud calls for Senator Blaine, that
gentleman took the platform. and said
It is WELL Mr.. Chairman, in meeting Of this kind to
understand with precision the grievance OF which the
people complain. Let state IL briefly possible.
On the h day of September last the voters OF Mane In
pursuance of their organic law, proceeded to elect
Governor and Senator's and Representatives In the Leg
isiature. The election preceded by prolonged,
thorough and somewhat exciting canvass OF the State.
The Hen. Anson T.. Morrill,, who, I regret, Ia
not able to be with this evening told
me that ho had voted for nlty-nye
secuivc years In Maine aud in many of the campaigns
had taken, all know, active part and that in
the whole OF that long period he had never known
political contest In which the issues before the people
had been ably elaboratey and so thoroughly dis
cusscd both the stump and by the press. He sad he
did no, believe there had been year in which
every citizen of the State knew well Just what he n-
tended hy bis vote as the election OF 1870 lam
that would be testimony OF every honest and candid
In tie State. The vote was iull free and falr.
The result OF that election as shown by the Off
cial returns, TO give the Republican candidate
for Governor plurality of u 900 votes the Green
back candidate OF 46 900 the Democratic can
ddate In the Legislature, by the official returns, the
Rcnucans chose nineteen Senators and the opposition
twelve Senators, aud Ia the House the Republicans
chose niuey mcmbers and the opposition sixy-one. On
the legislative ticket the Republicans had absolute
majority of nearly 5000 on the popular vote This was
the result by official returns made by the city
and town clerks and Immediately made public by the
Secretary OF State.
When the sealed returns were opened some weeks
Inter TO DO counted by the Governor and Council they
disclosed the result that had been published from
the clerks returns, and common honesty and common
decency to say nothing of official that
the by the people should be declared elected
ana,
Gil have declared otherwise. and in coliusion with other
wcll-gnOwn men they entered into conspiracy to
change tho result and deprive the people OF their
choice and then began tho remarkable count which
has Just closed the lasting dishonor and disgrace
Of all who had part or lot IN H. They began TO dis
cover "fatal defects as Governor GarcelOn termed
them, In the returns from Republican towns.
Here and there "i" not dotted, or
ct" not crossed; or man had "jr' left of
bis name, or the initial letter OF his middle
name was wrong; or the ballot that elected him
had tile names printed ut riShangles TO the narrow
sde when they should have been parallel; or
the signatures OF all the town officers
10 the ssuio exc OF O single Councillor, without any
total number OF votes was not filed out In the right
part OF the election blank or one of the town officers
ss IN alien the seectmcn permitted to swear
away their return by an ex pIrte hidavit although
they lad once sworn ,c return "s o sce az M N open
OF cities signed by only three Aldermen Just accord
ing 10 the blank ont from the office OF the Secretary
Of state after being prepared trap pl,fall These
ard numerous other mDor points OF hike value were
freey used 10 destroy the popular and maintain
In power the party and the man whom the people have
THE RFsuLr OF THE CONSPIRACY.
The e.ult OF the whole OF this piu and wicked pet
tfocging was 20 change Republican majority OF
in the Senate and 20 in the House to Fusion majority
of in the Senate and IL in the House, with five Re-
pubcan cities completely dsiranchsed aud denied by
the Governor and Council the poor boon OF new cleo
lion 80 That Portland, Lewiston, Bath, ROcklud and
Suco are absolutely rendered Incapable OF takns
pari IA Inc Organization OF tho Legislature. III the
chuce OF Governor OF IN The election OF State Officers.
or in the original compost lon OF thc House committees,
wlich shape ard practically control legislation. Per
haps, If the Representatives chosen ny these fve
important cities VIII hiiibly petition The House and cool
,heir hecs IN thc anccnanber OF Fusion Greatness
Tor ihrre four weeks, they may be permitted to be
sworn when they cIn no longer enlbarrass the pro-
gtss- OF tne Tbcse Ave 10 cites have
q valuation Of inoie than S3lOO0OOO ana pay nearly
oncqua,te Of inc entire taxes o. the STATE TIC; 10 De % &C
year the F.icn STATE Goseinuicnt has Levied ana col
ccted fOn these cities than 100000 Of taxes;
ana now, by virtue of disgracefu trick concocted In
the Office OF ae secretary ,, state lou, OF These cities
ortand) pays 900 OF taxes. aud denied repre-
T s ne op"ornmy OF new eeeon anu
| But I win not allow myself to go INTO Il long
speech Before closing. however beg you to observe
f, Hrst-Ihe Governor and Council have refused GER
| rticaies 10 twcnty-nne Republican menbers OF the
House and to eight Senator'S III all, swept
of and gnt by one wave OF an au!ocratlc hand.
for whe the law did not provide and direct the mode
of correction. But the Council said the law uncon-
siituiioua they Il aside They gave out that
Henry ". Paine OF Boston, advised them that that was
their proper course When see an opinion OF Henry
W. Palms tnai the Executive Department NAV nt Will
aside ihc laws they sworn TO enforce VIII unite
witt, otci Kennebec friends IN cepiorns the decay
of ms splendid intellect aud the loss OF his admirable
Judgment Until Then prefer to remember Henry W.
Paine have knorn him for quarter q! century
Tkird-TGcre haze lcrn ffty-nne annual elections IN
Mime carried In turn by the Old National Republicans,
y Democrats By wings, ana for twenfy-two years by
tc Republicans Ia all that Time not 80 many fatal
defects in the have been found nor so many
,na;ors and Iiepre -rnayes counted out as Governor
Gsrcclon aud his Council have counted out this single
/ year ! will not add-not nalf so many
| Fourth And all the Z" fatal defects" are In Reput-
ic. Senatorial and Repre- sentative districts Not one
o the Democrats Grecnbackers elected 10 the Senate
! ar House was found have "a defective return