The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1879-11-21


before the public who possess passion whose
holder may exercise unlimited power over the
heart"
THE CONSPIRACY.
Interviews with Senators Ha1nin and
Blaine and Gov Garcelon.
Augusta Correspondence of the New York Herald.l
The Herald correspondent drove to the res
idence of Senator Blaine, just under the shad-
ow of the State House dome. The wood fires
which burned brightly in the spacious parlors
presented pleasing contrast to the dreary
scene outside. Sounds of mirth proceeded
from an ad 'oining room, and soon the full
rounded tones of Mr.. Blaine's voice struck the
listeners ear. He was evidently telling q
story, for frequent bursts of laughter from
voice that was none other than Congressman
Reeds were thrown in by way of parenthesis.
The party were at breakfast, and their
hilarty was in striking contrast to the solemn
faces and earnest conversation at the hotel.
After five minutes of delay Mr. Blaine, always
pleasant and hospitable, walked in followed
by the venerable senior Senator of the State,
Hannibal Hamlin and Congressman Reed. A
desultory conversation opened, of course, on
the topic of all topics, the count of the votes
by the Governor and Council. Mr.. Blaine,
led, of course. and in answer to question he
said
"The simple matter is this:-The Republic
cans demand fair play and fair count. and
they mean to use all reasonable means To
Sc cure it. The present Governor and Council
have secreted the returns, which have always
here tofore been open to the gaze of any re-
spectable citizen. have lived in sight of the
State House for twenty-five years and the cor
respondent of the New York Herald any
other intelligent gentleman could during that
time have had access to the election returns
sent in by the various town and city authors
ties to the Secretary of State 1t is, to say the
least, suspicious that an innovation should be
made now.
"What is your opinion about the alleged
conspiracy to count out certain Republicans
and so secure the Legislature?"
"Well, don't think the conspirators feel
as brave or as determined to-day as they did
yesterday"
This Mr.. Blaine said significantly, while
looking around on the gentlemen present who
smiled approval.
'Do you attribute the change in tone, which
you say that you observe to the presence OF
the large RepuDllCan QelogdtlOn now III lOWH!
Eyes; / think it had its effect"
"What reason had you to believe that fraud
would be attempted?'
''Well, we have information for instance,
that several Democratic returns have been
sent back to the towns for corrections. They
contained irregularities which would according
to the plan proposed, vtiate the election. The
returns are merely transcripts from the town
records. Under the law, during a certain
time twenty days from the opening of the Of
fioial Mt viii int
correct any informalties existing; that is,
those which arise from a difference between
the copy and the original entry the town
records. This it seems the present executive
department is determined to deny us by keep
ing the returns away from us,while they have,
as is reported, in many cases. secretly afforded
an opportunity to Democratic clerks to make
necessary emendationS
''What is the significance to your mind OF
tie expression, so much harped on by the fus-
ion councillors, that the returns will be count
ed according to the forms of law?"
Mr. Reed, who had sat still and listened,
here interposed with the remark, "You may
well say forms of law 1t is according to
the forms and not the law that they propose to
act"
Mr. Blaine nodded and allowed the answer
to stand as his own.
"What is the Republican plan Of action?
"Well. we propose to watch closely and
work persistently to prevent the burglarious
seizure of the government and the upseJting
of the will of the people. We are prepared
to submit gracefully to defeat, but not to rob-
berry Now, last year." he continued, "the
Republicans were defeated at the polls. We
had majority in the Senate; and only lacked
seven to have majority in the House. 1t
would have been very easy matter for the
Governor and Council to change this result
had they been SO inclined but they made no
such attempt and honestly and fairly declared
the choice of the voters, even while it turned
them out of office. Now it is proposed to
change the complexion Of both houses in
most fragrant manner. To this we will not
submit. AS | said before. we would have
gracefully submitted to a fair defeat, but we
will not gracefully submit to robbery"
The venerable Hamlin, who was patient
listener to the interview, here made his first
remark. He said, with good deal of vigor,
at the close of Mr. Blaine's sentence:
I'VE won't submit at ALL"
Remember" said Mr.. Blaine, "that my
statement is that we will not submit gracefully
to robbery
"And,'' retorted Uncle Hannibal. with in
creased vigor, "Mine is that we won't submit
at ALL
"How do you find it at the hotel?'' said Mr..
Blaine, adding, 81 always like to interview
newspaper men,"
"Well,'' responded the Herald representa-
tive, modestly, ''the chief thing that attracted
my attention was The number and vigor of the
statesmen on hand"
This seemed to call up recollection of some
thing unpleasant, and he retorted quickly,
''They are all of home production; there are
none of them imported
After few remarks, the interview closed,
tie junior Senator declaring that the attempt
to cheat the people out of the results of their
vote by a returning board, deserved the uni
versal condemnation Of all newspapers.
Oft through the binding snow again and
over the rough pavement, the next stop was at
the office of the Maine Standard, where Mr.. e.
f. Pilsbury, chairman of the Democratic state
committee and the reputed chief of the con-
spirators was found. This gentleman professed
utter ignorance of the rumored frauds or the
attempt to manipulate the returns, adding We
nemently that he had not spoken to the Gov
ernor or any of the Council for several weeks.
Just at this point Governor Garceion entered,
and as private conference was evidently de-
sirable, withdrew. Meeting the Governor
soon afterward, asked him directly what the
policy of the Executive Council would be. He
replied that the returns would be counted ac-
cordipg to law, independent of any cGnsidera-
ton of the politics of the candidates or the
final result, "and must add" he continued,
without regard to the presence of large body
of Republican politicians"
'What are the duties of the Governor and
Council in such matters under the law?"
Their duty, as we have been advised by
the best legal talent, is to declare the result of
the election and to issue certificates to those
who have been elected according to the forms
and practices so clearly defined by the conSti-
tuition and statutes. Ii we find that election
has been vitiated by public and well proven
fraudulent practices, or by failure TO comply
with all the regulations made and provided,
we must report the facts to the Legislature.
"For instance. there is complaint made in
Auburn that the warrant for the election
which by express statute and constitutional
provision should be posted at least seven days
before election day, was not posted until one
day later. Another provision is that on cleo
ton day no names can be added to the voting
list in towns or cities having nonnlation of