Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-11-21
THE COUNTING OUT
CONSPIRACY.

Nr. Harris. Standardized, Refused a
Look at the Washington County Re-
turns-He Asks for n Statement Of Any
Errors That May Re I'm Them-Mr. FOs-
ter Holds that the Certificates May BE
Issued Any Day-Legal Proceedings In-
Itiated Before Chief Justice Appleton
Hon. Joseph II. Williams peaks His
Mind About the Democratic Conspiracy.
Hon. Austin Harris, senator-elect from
Washington County, repaired to the State
House yesterday morning, under condition
al promise from Councillor John b. Foster,
that he might see the returns from his own
county. Mr.. Harris told him that was all he
had ever asked to see. On reaching the State
House, however, he was informed by Mr..
Foster that the Council had decided other
wise and nc could not be permitted to see
them. Mr.. Harris, short time after, sent
the follow ing letter to the State House:
AUGUSTA, MAINE. Nov. 20, 1879.
To the Honorable, the Governor and Council
Of the State Of Maine:
am a senator-elcct from the district of
Washington county, according to the returns
of the several towns, as published in Septem-
Der. On Tuesday last | addressed a com
muncation to your honorable board, asking
that you would permit me to examine the of
fetal returns, with the view of correcting the
errors therein, if any errors can be found.
This is "a right which | have under the laws
of Maine-a right hitherto commonly excr-
csed by candidates for Office in this State
and their attorneys, without protest or obiec-
ton from any source After waiting three
days, without answer to my communication
| am informed by one of your honorable
board that | cannot be permitted to inspect
the returns.
In view of this refusal, so extraordinary
and so unprecedented, have now to request
that your honorable board will furnish me in
writing with statement of the errors in the
returns from the county of Washington, in
the vote for senator--if there be any errors
in order that may at once have the necessa-
ry corrections made, in accordance with the
laws of the State.
| will be obliged by an early answer sent
to the care of my attorney, ii. NJ. Heath,
Esq, of this city
Very respectfully, AUSTIN HARRIS.
Mr.. Foster informed Mr. Harris that he
did not regard the Council as under any obi
CATION to withhold certificates of election I'M
der the twenty day order, but that the GER
tificates might all be issued to-day or to-mor-
row, if the Governor and Council should see
fit to so order.
The chief interest in the case is now trans
ferred to Bangor, where proceedings have
been initiated before Chief Justice Appleton,
to test the question of the right of candidates
and their attorneys to see the election re-
turns.
Hon. Joseph II. Williams, Ex-Governor of
the State, and candidate of the democratic
party two years ago, visited the State House
to-day and expressed himself very freely
against any attempt to count out the republi-
can senators and epresentatives-elect. Ex-
Governor Williams untcs in the statement
expressed by the other ex-Governors that
candidates have always been allowed TO ex-
anime the returns preparatory to the correc-
tons allowed by the statutes.
Gov. Garcelon is absent from the city,
understood to be in consultation at Portland
with VIM. l.. Putnam, Esq, as to the extent
of his right to resist any Interference of the
Supreme Court.