The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1880-01-01
THE MAINE OUTRAGE.

The most exciting topic of the
past week has been the outrage
which the Governor and council of
Maine have been attempting to per-
petrate on the people of that State.
The conspiracy has become matter
of national Importance because what
has been done there may be but a
precedent for reckless and desperate
men to follow elswhere on the first
opportunity. How the trouble will
end no one can tell. AS yet no life
has; been sacrificed but so bitter is
the feeling on the part of the Re
publicans at this revolutionary as
suit on the sanctity Of their ballots,
that they may feel called upon to
resist with force the seating Of the
men who We're not elected, in the
Legislative halls at Augusta. If
these unscrupulous politicians are
permitted to steal the Legislature
this year, will they not repeat the
game next year when, as Senator
Blaine says, ''the prizes besides the
State officers, are five representatives
. senator of the United States, seven
presidential electors and the undis-
puted possession of the political
power Of the State till January, 1888,
as we are to have biennial elections
hereafter" The same gentleman
observes in another letter on this
subject; ''Never beforein in the his
tory Of Maine was a party in interest
refused a full hearing before the GOV
ernor and council, and full oppov-
tunlty to examine the election re-
turns. An accurate search into the
records shows that in fifty-nine years
there have been just sixteen cases in
which the governor and council
found the official returns so fatally
defective in form as to deprive a
candidate apparently elected of his
certificate, averaging one case in a
little less than every four years.
Governor Garcelon and his council
find thirty-seven fatally defective re-
turns in single year, and by one Of
those providential dispcnsations or
happy accidents which only come to
bless the just and encourage the
righteous, every one of those thirty
seven fatally defective returns was
declared by Democratic council to
exist in districts that had chosen
Republican senator's or representa-
tives."
Not single defect in any of the
Democratic election returns from all
parts OF Maine but sthirty-seven
fatally defective Republican re-
turns! Is any man fool enough to
believe that this could be possible?
Is it not the most transparent plot
ever concocted to dcfraud the people
of their rights? The old Pine Tree
state is alive with indignation meet
ings and Notwithstanding the in
clcmency Of the weather they are
well attended. At Bangor on the
oath ult., the citizens rose ean,asse
and prevented 1913 Springfield rifles
and $4,000 cartridges from being
taken to the capital. A riot, which
was imminent, was prevented by the
Governor backing down and leaving
the arms where they were. So
overwhelming is the demand from
the best citizens, who are in favor of
disposing of this matter peaceably
if it can be done, that all questions
involved liz dispute be submitted to
the Supreme Court for its opinion,
that Gov. Garcelon will likely be
compelled to abandon his programme.
Whether or not he will yield to the
Judgment of those who prefer right
and justice, or will follow advice
that will bring on his head such a
storm of universal condemnation as
has been seldom witnessed, remains
to be seen. Ss'aa 81