New-York tribune., 1879-12-23

reasons IN the OF thirty NlctlHs WHO
are counted out. Democrats beyond the State are
solicitous for the honor Of their party, ard
have demanded of Governor GarcelOn reasons
TO instifv ni HIMSELF in their % ewes by quoting
the statutes of Maine. statutes under which
all returns have been counted in previous years.
apply the statutes' Let him answer that, and
when honorable Democrats outside of the State
ask him for bread let him not give them stone.
Very respectfully, j. 0 BLAINE
CONSULTATION IN WASHINGTON.
SENSATIONAL REPORTS CoNTRADIcTFD-vIIws OF
GENERAL GARFIELD AND PRESIDENT HAYES
THE FIRST STEP IN COMPREHENSIVE PLAN OF
REVOLUTION.
IBY TELEGRAPH THE TRIBUNE.l
WASHINGTON, Dec. 22-A number of indefinite
reports have been published within the last two or
three days to the general effect that prominent
Republicans have been in consultation here over
the late developments in Maine, and have substan-
tally determined to advise that the Republican
legislators elect meet and organize a Legislature of
their own and look TO a Republican National ad-
ministratiOn for recognition and if necessary for
armed support.
The Erenipq Star of to-day says: "Teegrams were
sent hence yesterday to Senator Blaine and other
prominent Republicans IN Maine, urging them to
resist to the last what is alleged to be the Illegal
action Of Governor Garcelon and his Council IN
counting ont enough observation-disclosures them
to have been illegally elec ted-to give majority
of the legislative branch to the Fusionists. tele
gram sent last night to Senator Hamin, reads in
substance: General Garfield advises resistance
even TO the extent Of force. Mr.. Garfield saw the
President to-day. and he says the President will
recognize Davis Legislature if 1t is set mp rs the
legal Legislature of Maine by Republicans 1t
known that General Garfield and other prominent
Republicans are at work looking up the law and
precedent to sustain thee formation OF Lesisla-
ture by the Republicans"
In referring to this matter Tonight, General Car
field said that he did not see the President at all
yesterdays and, although he had seen him to-day
il was upon another matter entirely. lie said he had
never conversed with the President upon this sub
iect and does not know the Presidents opinion in
relation to IT. General Garfield said that two or
three gentlemen. including one of the Maine Con-
gressmen. had called at his house and in casual
way the matter had been talked at some length. lie
had advised that the Republicans IN Maine make
thorough study of the situation with regard TO two
points:
F;rst-To see whether the equities of the case
were upon their side, and next to determine In their
own minds with regard to the law.
"It has been represented TO me- General Car
field said that the Governor and his Council have
10 judicial powers whatever in regard to counting
the vote; that their functions are purely mlniste-
rial am told that the town officials hold meet
ing and canvass the vote of their town Immediately
after the election and that they have by the State
laws until the 18th of December in which to cor
rect any informality which may be discovered III
the returns as they at first make them Ihls rlght
it is said, was illegally refused to Republican
towns. Now have advised that our friends first
make sure that the letter and spirit of the law Is
on their side If it proves not to be so, there Is
nothing for us to do but submit
"But if, as it seems probable the law Goes not
sunnort Garcelon in his course, then those Republic
cans who were elected should meet and organize.
elect their Governor aud look to the President for
recognition and support. If they are not permitted
70 meet in the State House. they can meet on the
stems and organize, and then hire hall for their
meetings.
eft seems TO mer continued General Garfield.
tbat the action of Garcelon and his crowd had its
inspration from outside the State of Maine. have
seen Garcelon, anc know of him by reputation from
others and ! do not think he is man OF heroic
mould believe this TO be the first experimental
stem in n comprehensive plan of revolution and
hclieve in meeting revolutions at their beginning
To say that we are indignant and TO
write newspaper articles showing up the outrage
are very we'll but those who are behind the scenes
care little for that. Whatever you say, however"
continued General Garfield, "put me right on this
point. would have our friends walk on the knife
edge of the law; would not have them go an iota
beyond ii, nor would conceue the hiiioh'n pai'
of an inch"
When the Presidents attention was directed this
evening TO the paragraph above quoted from The
Erenng Sfor. he said that the statements It con,
tained were wholly without foundation. lie had
not thought OF such thing as a dnai HoVernmneh. n
~.,f fntar rf.sran
bv the Washington authorities. lie has assumed
and still believes, that no attempt Will dc ihauc
by the Democrats to take advantage Oh lne onllags
or fraud by which II IS sought 70 get possession o
the Government of the State. Before the time fnr
the meeting of the Legislature arrives, the Iresl,
dent thinks that the Democrats VIII he so ashamed
Of the whole proceeding and public opinion VIII be
so strong against them. that they VIII NOT dare 10
profit by the Governors tick just how the Demo. Demo
crots will back down the President does pot know
hut he will nor be surprised if they finally declare
that they never intended to proht by the aieged
technical defects in the ballots or returns n't ony
wished TO be i'm position to take advantage OF any
point that they cOud fairly insist on 80 -
The President says that he expects that the Re
pubcans of Maine will 10 Oh as they are now dong
IN oronsing public opinion. and that they Will give
the Democrats no rest In this respect he thinks the
Republicans doing Just right ~ Bn' sald ,n ne
in concusion :" the Maine trouble will he settled IN
Maine, and by the people of Maine without any as
sistance from Washington.
That the President has been giving consideraDlc
attention 10 this subject is evident from his oonyer
eation with several gentlemen who called upon MN
to-day Lawyer-likc he has been looking up thc
nrecedents and finds that they do not at all sustain
The Governor aud bis Council III the course they
have pursued.
ABAD MISTAKE FOR THE DEMOCRATS.
WHAT MIR. REAGAN, OF TEXAS. THINKS ABOUT IT,
WASHINGTON. Dec. 22.-Representative Reagan,
of Texas, speaking of the Name business to-day.
said: IF the Democrats are right in the technical
Interpretation of the law and il at the same time 1t
appears to the popular understanding that he;
nphI;csn majority has been overthrOwn, then II will
he a reaI misfortune for the Democratic party. MY
i;Tst IMPRESSION is that il is unfair and II So i IS
80 T.. no Denncrafs To have made"