Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-03-13

At THE TIME.
Hon. Alonzo Garcelon arrived on the eleven
O'Clock train from the West. yesterday morn
ing, and At once appeared before the Hale
committee, in response to = summons from
that body.
Mr.. Halves administered the oath, and the
Ex-Governor testified. Ny term of Office ex-
pired the first Wednesday of January, $780,
During the year was often called by executive
duties to Augusta. Always tried to be pres
ent at the sessions of the Executive Council.
Don't remember At what time after the Sep
TENDER election the council met; presume l
was present At that meeting. Supposed at
that time that the republicans had probably
carried the State, but did not know how much
reliance to put in the newspaper kilograms.
The council blotter shows that Mr.. Garcelon
was not present at the meeting Of the council
held on September 10th. This session con-
tinued four days. and adjourned until Oct.
7th.] Was present at the October session,
think. Was present at an adjourned meet
ing Of the council on Oct. 2sth. The origi-
nal committe on elections, as made up in the
early part of the year, was Messrs. Moody,
Fogg and Chase.
At the October meeting Messrs. Foster and
Brown were added to this committee. At
this same meeting the committee was ordered
to proceed with the tabulation of the returns.
Up to that time had never seen even the
outside Of an envelope Of single return
from any city or town in the State. Was not
present and did not witness the opening Of
the returns when the committee began to tab
ulate. had left Augusta when they began
their work. Think suggested an addition
of two members to this committee. Have an
impression that Mr.. Moody was not particu-
larlv pleased with this addition. So far as l
knew the returns were in an ordinary condi-
ton, and had not been tempered with. My
idea in increasing the committee was to have
the returns tabulated fairly and squarely, and
to facilitate their work; also that the public
might have more confidence in the examin-
ing committee. The general impression
about the State seemed to be that the COM
mittee, a. originally made up, were hardly
vell-kuown and reliable men enough for this
important trust.
The next meeting Of the committee
was on November 18th. While the
committee was examining and tab
ulatine the returns was at my home in
Lewiston, and to my recollection had no
correspondence or communication with these
gentlemen. Don't remember that 1 talked
with anybody about the danger of towns be-
ing counted-out. Knew that there was some
talk in the newspapers about a contempla-
ted contingent; but took no cognizance
of II. anv more than would of the idle whis-
ding of the wind. Up to November 18th,
had no intimations Of any public solicitude
about any contemplated fraud BY the elec-
ton committee. Was present at the meet
;ng Of the council on that day. Got here on
the 8. 80 train. The council met at the coun-
ell chamber soon after arrived. Did not know
At that time that any one had asked leave to
have access to the returns. At this meeting
tho committee on election returns reported
that thew had opened and examined the re-
,urns. and tabulated them, and then sub
mitted the tabulations of the returns. On the
afternoon of the 18th, party OF three
gentlemen came to me and request
Cd TO be allowed to have access
IN the returns. They wished to
see If there were any mistakes in the returns
vhich could be corrected under the Law, and
,,.o alleged that other parties had been allow
ed access to the returns. Thought their re-
quest was improper, and should not be grant
"A At that time. Told them the candidates
and their council, whenever they appeared
.hould examine the returns. Alter this inter-
view I Immediately went into the council
room and conferred with my counciiiors'
pre,ume stated the request that had been
made to me By these gentlemen. ImnA
.h.r. v.s = vote cast in this session that
twenty days should be allowed for examlna'
t;on Of the returns. The result Of our deiio'
.r,.;oos that evening was that parties VINO
.hould bring their town records with them
,hould be allowed to examine the returns
The twenty days we're 70 begin from tins
meeting Of the council, think The council
mads considerable talk about the motive o.
.he.e senslemea in waiting upon me. They
ehou.ht an attempt was % be made TO ball
~. 49, U % he sssh Of November.
49, If NO one Who vas allowed to have &C.
| A IN. resurns. Continued with the council
several days. The council we're engaged "
..hi,e M tAeir lnal report on election re
tnrns.
A IL nssaing = - seesfsa = ee
10 III ~ 0svssaH - Cssnea $500 =