Daily Kennebec journal., 1880-01-03
THE COUNrIKG-OUf BUSINESS.

in the great disgraceful drama now being en-
acted in our midst. The guards nightly pa
troll in and about the State House, and through
the day the spies watch the movements Of
dog the steps Of the stranger. The fusionist,
are evidently not At their ease. They feal
something and don't know what They
imagine there Is some secret enrolling OF
force being done by the republicans, and the
appearance Of Gen. Squirting in town has put
them in agony that is amusing to behold.
The fusionists' voices are louder and more
insolent than ever. .'What if the court
should decide" they say, sin favor Of the re-
publicans-and in answer to those questions
| we can't see how they can-of what earthly
use is it going to be to them!" "whs is 60
ing to enforce the decision?" The Cover
nor has issued the certificates and has no
right whatever to recall them" provided
he should desire to change them, his Coun-
cillors would prevent such a move" 1t is
useless to quote further. This is the open
talk Of these men who hold the State Offices,
and those who support the steal.
In its special regarding the force at the
State House, the Boston Journal says
1--WE have yet to find the lawyer that will
say the statutes provide in any way for the
employment Of body of men armed with
muskets, other than the militia of the State,
for the protection Of State property, or for
any other purpose. Nor is there any appro-
Priation for the payment of such q force, but
such force is now in actual possession of the
State House. as claimed by all, except those
Immediately concerned, entirely outside of
law. 1t is but fair to Adutant General Leav-
lit to say that he disclaims all connection or
responsibility for this force, and it is hard
telling who is responsible for this nOndescript
body of men recruited by X. w. Black. The
fusion leaders must be responsible for its ex-
istence, and it is difficult to see how strict a
constitutional as Garcelon can allow an
armed and wholly irresponsible crowd of men
to pretend to guard public property from foes
even imaginary"
1t is reported there is to be a meeting Of
the fusionists here tonight, to consult as to
their course next week.
There were many strangers in the city yes
terday, drawn here by the great ''muss".
Fogg says that 20 will constitute quorum
in the house and not rs, as that branch at
the opening viii consist of only l39, since IL
certificates have been withheld.
1t is thought that the decision of the court
will be known by this noon.
Extract from . Private Letter.
The plain simple vote Of citizen is the
bulwark of all our social institutiOn-the
shield of our liberties and the corner stone of
the republic.
1t ought not to be in the power of blunder-
ing, careless, or ignorant men who have
charge of the returns to defeat the honest in
tent of single voter. If such a thing is
possible under present laws, let them be
amended. would apply the rule to all par
ties
But the Governor and Council of Maine in
their report upon the last election seem to
have overlooked, or disregarded the great
principle alone and changed the foundations
of the republic from the people to few men
who presided at the ballot bo1es.
Nor is that all, they have passed judgment
upon and disfranchised the people unheard,
or without notice of indictment.
venture the assertion that there is not an
intelligent man in the State or elsewhere,
whose integrity and honesty is above party,
will approve the proceedings of the present ex-
ecutive in Maine.
1t was a determination to accomplish a GER
tain political result rather than the ends Of
:.<:.. Il "a on ovarv limo Of tho rccOrds
And such specious pleading only serves to
make them ridiculous in the estimation of
our intelligent community of all parties.
The Governors friends will of course seek to
bolster him up. But in dong so they do
violence to their own common sense and their
better judgment.
Ifthere are any precedcnts, if the republi-
can party have ever done a similar thing in
ever so small way, let me now and here pro-
test against it.
All true men will rebuke an evil in their
owm camp quite as soon as in that OF an
enemy. The right is to win in the end, and
therefore it is of first importance to seek the
rioM. Yours in behalf of Right,
Extract from Another Letter.
We hear, in this extreme western corner,
that Independent companies are offering to
come to your staid little city, and act as
vanguard" to men (by courtesy who they
appear to think need protection. From what,
or whom? The above alluded to are pre-