Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1879-12-25
Comments Of the Press,

From all parts Of the country one
common verdict Is heard regarding the
great crime committed by Gov. Garcelon
and bis Council. We give below few OF
the comments OF the press.
The Boston Journal says:
Nv III not the same parties who have
counted out 80 Republican Representatives
and Republican Senators count out q
Republican Legislature with double that
MAJORITY IL the intelligence OF Maine
pAss!Sely submits TO this outrage will not
the conspirators who.have once broken the
laws and uampied the Consultation under
foot do 1t again In lss0. when ten times q.
great stakes are involved; WIZ these
same la0less men Who have counted out
the Republican State Government count
out the Electors chosen by the Republ-
cans In lss0y'
The New York World. the leading Dem
oeratc paper OF the country says:
- he 1sn.as-cT, IA VI Aiur have ulCgvs-
uonsoly uuI4lned the real inteution OF The
voters There i no lodging the fact. aud
with fair minded people that fact will be
decisive OF any controversy that NAV be
raised. !, Is plain that the defeated Icgi.-
lAtors who have thus been counted la ou.h,
10 refuse 10 serve and leave the organixa-
ton OF the legislature TO lhe republicans
~ho were elected 10 It,"
The Springfield. Mass. Rrpselicd. which
supported 1Ilden 10 1876 says
"A crime like this should divide public
sentiment lnio two camps. not OF rtpubll-
cans aud democrats, but OF honest men
and scoundrels- An honest man should
have nothing but sound and hot rebgAe Tor
the wrong. The time calls 10 Ioude., tone.
10 every man In The Democratic parry.
Are there none In the falsely constituted
majority In the Maine legislature ~ho will
scorn 10 share In party crime! Have III.
Maine democrats, sons OF New England
sunk 10 the lowest level OF the most de-
based Southern communities; They have
IL yet In th.ir power 10 redeem their State
'sssrnv 'sh--- --.-.--
they alone can proven; It's continuation
And this from the Portland Air,rt.,er
The Couucil's ground las been iha,
they were sdvlsed that the law vas I'M
constitutional. IL seems that they would
have some difficulty In proving its uncop-
stitutlonzllty. Tor The constitution empow-
ers the Legislature 10 make avs moi re-
p.gna.! 10 the Constitution" that is, no,
conflicting with Any OF It's provisions
The law OF 1877. which allows the eorrcc-
ton Of erroneous returns, does no; SO con-
Glct- True, the constitution does no, coy
er the poiut. As IL does not . good many
others IL IS not az absolutely perfec,
Instrument, or IL would never need smend-
ment. The duty OF the executive Is TO
execute the laws. When be refuses to do
so. he Is guilty OF high crime and mis-
denieanor, but shen he undertakes to
pass upon whether or not they are cousti-
tutlobsl. he becomes 4 usurper OF the
judiciary prcroeative. The precedent Is a
dangerous one.
From the Somerset Reporter
The Council took charge OF the returns
Oct. 3lst AID The fret return that WAS ex.
hlbited 10 Republican Was December 9Th
One week or q, mos, ten days 10 ample
time for the Council to open aud iAbula,e
the returns. Last year IL MAS done ., one
session OF the Council. By the decision
OF the Court, there 10 not the remote.,
reason why the returns could no, have
been ready for the Inspection Of Interested
parties ~ the meeting OF the Council Nov.
l.th. when IL WAS expected they would be
opened TO the public. And there is no
doubt but they were previous 10 tina, time
all examined. tabulAted. doctored. and AZ
ranged ready for the issue OF summonses.
Heretofore the ssuctity OF Official oath has
been sufficient to cause the Governor and
Council TO do their duty. In this respec, IS
we'll As others, and 70 deter them from
committing Illegal and frsudaleut sections.
These chsristans, creatures Of political &C
cident, have NO more regard for offcial
oath than they have for personal honor or
private Integrity"