The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1880-01-01
GARCELON'S EXPLANATION.


Gov. Garcelon, of Maine, has pub
ished, in the New York Sun, what he
labels defense of his conduct in count
ing out thirty-seven Republican mem
bers of the Maine Legislature. This
statement is substantially the same as
that published oysS the signature of
Mr.. Pillsbury, and was evidently pre-
pared by the same hand. Tt is, in truth,
not q defense, but an explanation of the
sharp practices resorted to by the Gov
ernor and Council, and a plea for the
Democracy of the country to stand by
the conspirators.
The Governor makes no argument.
He gives his views of the constitutional
requirements, and, like Pillsbury, re-
fers to the judicial decisions of 1876.
lie makes no reference to the law Of
1877, and does not even men
ton that; assuming the prerogative
Of the Supreme Court, he set this
law aside. He says the Governor and
Council have recognized the fact that
the people OF Maine have adopted a
constitution and declared it to be the
supreme law of the land, but does not
explain why the Governor and Council
failed to recognize the fact that there
were laws on the statute books giving 6
more authoritative interpretation of
constitutional requirements than the
Governor could possibly give. Mr..
Garcelon says further, that the decision
made is not final, as the constitution
makes the Senate and House of Repre-
sentatives respectively the final arbiters
OF the election OF their own member
and adds, in conclusion: CATER fair
investigation any condemnation of our
course, either by the Democracy of the
nation, or any fair-minded and honor
able politicians of any party, will be
acknowledged with due submission"
This is the explanation sent out in
answer to the demand of certain Demo
cratic papers that full and explicit ex-
PLANTATION was due the Democratic party.
That it is not satisfactory to those who
called for it need scarcely besaid. That
it is the best defense that can be made
by the parties to the fraud is now evil
dent; that they come before the people
with such an explanation mus5 mean
that they realize that their doom is
sealed. They have no case, and admit
it. The public has pronounced the con-
duet OF Gov. Garcelon and his advisers
inexcusable and indefensible, and now
the Governor in effect acknowledges it.
La opposition to this lame defense
stand few undenied and undeniable
facts. The vote of Sept s, cast in &C
cordance with requirements of law, law
fully canvassed and counted, elected
nineteen Republican Senators and
ninety Representatives. The returns
as published showed this, the official
records of the plantations and towns
made it indisputable, and the returns
filed with the Secretary of State became
the basis for a semi Official promulga-
ton Of the result. The sealed returns
that went before the Governor showed
the same result, and showed, further,
that on the Legislative ticket the Re-
publicans had in the State an absolute
majority of nearly 5000.
facts. He claims that there was fraud
and bribery on the part of the Repub-
hcans, but the investigation set or foot
Immediately after the election so clear
ly disproved this assertion, and brought
out SO many evidences of Democratic
fraud and perjury that the Democrats
abandoned that feature of their pro-
gramme in hot haste. The Governor
comedies, however, that no cognizance
was taken Of alleged fraud, and that
the accusations, even If true, could not
have been considered by the Council
It is not denied by Garcelon or his
advisers that constitutional and statu-
tory provisions, and court decisions,
bearing on elections, have in all the
States been construed to mean that the
will of the people, as expressed at the
polls, must stand as against trifing err
rors. In Maine there is a law making
this point very clear. And yet it is a
fact that Gov. Garcelon and Council ig-
nored this law. disregarded precedent
and the accepted Interpretation of
the constitution, treated with con.
tempt the recorded verdict of the
people at the polls, and counted out
thirty-seven Republican members of
the Legislature. They did this know
ing that they had no power, legal OR
equitable, to do so, and knowing that
their decision could not be final; they
did it simply to secure the election of
State officers by packed Legislature.
And, having done it, they must meet
the consequences; must be ready for
mpeachment, Indictment and punish
ment They begin to realize this now.
They will realize it fully before Jan. 7,
the day on which the Legislature meets.
Chicago Inter Ocean.