The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1880-02-19
IN. Y. Tribunc.l
Condensed History.

Condensed History.
For the past three months the news
papers Of the country have been occu
pied to an unusual degree with the af
fairs Of the State Of Maine. That or
dinarily quiet and peaceful Common
wealth has never before been so mucl
the subject of public interest, of con
versation and discussion. This inter
est will presently cease; the Statt
will lapse back into the rut of routine
and the occurrences which have giveI
her such unusual prominence will pass
out Of mind. But before they are for.
gotten entirely it will not be out OF
place to gather the salient features
and condense in few sentences the
history of a very remarkable transac-
tion They hardly need comment
for to all thoughtful minds they car
ry their own, but they contain a les
son which it would be unwise to neg
lect, and offer revelations concerning
the spirit and purpose Of a great
party which aspires to direc-
ton and control to which we
shall do well to give heed. The chief
interest that abides now, after the
conspirators have been baked and
failure has fallen on the plot, is in the
| light thrown by it on the purposes of
the party under whose auspices the
great fraud was attempted. For it
must be borne in mind that the scheme
was by no means merely local, the
desperate adventure Of a few politi-
ticians anxious to retain possession Of
the small offices they held, but part
Of wider plan that embraced the
whole country in its scope and had
the Federal Government. with all its
patronage and'power, for its objective
point. And the party that originated
it-for whose sole benefit it was con-
cocted and whose leaders everywhere
encouraged it-must be held account
able for it.
After the election in September last
the counting Of the votes showed be-
yond question the success Of the Re-
publicans in both branches Of the Leg
islature. There was no doubt as to
any important point except for few
days as to the choice Of a Governor by
the people. The official returns dis
closed the fact the Republican candi-
date, though having a handsome plu-
rality over the rest, had a few hun
dred votes less than an actual mai6ri-
ty over all. This was not considered
matter OF any moment, as the fact
Of an undisputed majority in both
branches Of the Legislature made his
election certain. No man in Or out
of the State dreamed of disputing
this state Of facts. There were no
contests of seats in specific cases; but
in little while the conspirators be-
gan to pave the way for their plot by
circulating cock-and-bull stories about
wholesale bribery which they were un-
able to verify. Then came the Trib
une's announcement that a wholesale
counting out was contemplated which
should give the Democrats the Leg
islature, and in consequence the State
officers. It seemed 50 bald a piece of
rascality that the public was incredu-
lous. and some Democratic newspapers
sneered at the unnecessary alarm OF
the Republicans. But the conspira-
tors went on in their shameless work.
They disregarded Republican protests,
established custom, precedent, the
rules Of official courtesy, common JUS
tlce and common decency. The badge
of fraud was Oh every step of their
proceedings. They made no claim,
whatever, except that upon the most
frivolous technicalities and quibbling
they could find a justification for
counting in Legislature that they
did not dare to pretend was elected
| And the dishonest scamps-fOr that
exactly what they were-who We're
counted in consented to act their part
in the fraud.
But they We're not left even the JUS
tifcation Of quibble to stand their
fraudulent Government on. The Su-
preme Court Of the State, to which
| the conspirators, forced by public
| opinion, referred the questions in
volved. told them squarely that, their
proceedings were fraudulent, and took
from under their feet their only pre-
text. Still they went on. They or
ganized a bogus Legislature, and elect
ed bogus Governor. They kept it
| up even dltc1 GIlC IlS lIIIIti LCS hcIdC III Z
had organized, taken possession Of the
State House and elected a real Cover
nor. They persisted in their sham af-
ter the Supreme Court had fully rec
ognized the Legitimacy and the legali-
ty Of the body in possession Of the
House, and their bogus Government
went so far as to issue orders to the
militia and proclamations to the peo-
pie. And this utterly hollow pretense
Of Government without legitimacy
of birth, regularity of organization OF
legality Of existence, without a meet
ing place and without a quorum, had
the brazen impotence to hold itself
together until slapped fairly in the
face and pronounced fraud in an
swer to its own questions by the Su-
preme Court, when it tucked its tail
and broke for the woods. The history
of it is easily condensed. 1t is short
and disgraceful. Never was anything
so unmistakably and shamelessly ly dis
honest as this whole transaction
From beginning to end there is not al
act in it that does not reek with fraud