Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1880-03-02
AN EXPLANATION IN ORDER.

On the 3Jth OF Dec. public meeting
was held at City Hall. Lewiston, 10 en-
Gor>e 1.-the constitutional action OF the
governor and council" ~ this meeting
the chief speech was made by Gov. GarCe-
Ion. who among other things said;-
almost Immediately after the last cleo
ton the cry was raised that there would
De an attempt 20 steal the state. have
here an article from The Bangor Hhlg OF
Sept. Il. in which such a design is imput-
ed % the Governor aud Council. IN the
Executive department, scarcely Q word
PASSED ~ 10 when the matter OF counting
The returns should De attended 20. until
the last OF October. We then decided 70
have the committee on elections tabUlate
the returns. prior 70 the next meeting
which was 70 be held Nov. lsth. AZ that
Tine az refuras had been seen bg HD oEc.
When the committee took charge Of
them on the day Of the adjournment of the
meeting IN October. from that time the Tt
turns were IN the hands Of the committee
until Nov. L.. and no person save the
cOmmitte had access 10 them. Every
night the returns were put into safe.
The safe Is opened BIZ a double key. One
half Of that key was kept by the chairman
OF the committee and the other half By the
Secretary OF State. IL would have been
utterly impossible for either of them TO
open the safe and see the returns unless in
the presence OF the other.
From Nov. j 81 10 NOV. 18th. / was at
home attending 10 the removal Of my resi-
dence and office. During the week prior
10 Nov. Il. | was 50 busy that l had hard
IN seen newspaper; / had hardly COM
inundated with a member Of the State
government, and on the morning that |
went TO Augusta, l was as unaware OF any
excitement, aS this saturday was una
ware that l should see such a magnificent
gathering in this hall this evening.
went directly 70 my chamber in the
capitol. In five minutes messenger made
the announcement that committee OF re-
publicans desired % see the governor.
s.Say 70 them that the governor and coun-
Gil are not in session; some OF the council
have not arrived yet, aud | doubt If there
will be a quorum today, said /. He went
out and in a few minutes came back,
saving that they wished 20 have confer
ence with the governor. Let them come
in" said l. Ny fellOw-CitizeE immediate
IN presented himself, and said that he was
authorized TO ask for the committee for
the privilege of examining the returns
'sWhy, my dear sir, said l, the governor
and council have not seen the returns yet.
The very fact Of these gentlemen pre-
senting themselves only served 70 make Us
suspicious and more cautious in perform
ing our duties in a lawful and constitution
al manner. If there has been any act OF
my life OF which 1 am proud, on which |
can face a frOwning world. that act is the
performance Of my official duty in the
tabulating and counting of returns. APP
plause.
VIII Gov Garcelon please explain how
it happens that B. Emery Pratt was visit
ing Dallas Plantation, Greenvale Planta-
ton and Rangeley, on or before Nov. 18th,
obtaining aflidavits 10 correct fusion re-
turns-of which he hsd been informed
which affidavits he mailed TO Gov. Garce-
Ion and Council, Nov. 18th, when Nov.
18th, he assured the republican committee
that ut that date no one had seen the re-
turns.