Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1880-11-30
Portland Press.
A PLAIN DUTY.

of the Legislature In the matter OF can
wasting aud declaring the vote FOR Cover
nor OF Maine. IL is perhaps natural thai
the matter should be discussed, but u
seems TO US that the outcome OF 1t all Is
liked by the nature OF things and that the
great body of Republicans will agree to II
before the time for action arrives. Their,
are certain things in this world that regu-
late themselves with irresistible force and
this seems a case In point.
The matter OF discussion is whether the
constitutional amendment providing thai
a plurality instead of n majority elect APP
plies TO the election at which Ii was adopt
cd by the people. On this question consti'
tutional lawyers, professional and amataur,
might split hairs till the crack OF doom
without coming to any agreement Some
courts would probably decide 1t one way
and some the other. But the situation a
viewed by plain peoples this: The Legis-
lature OF Maine with a Republican majority
in both branches and the committees IN
Republican control. passed resolve sub
hitting constitutional amendment pro
viding for the election of Governor by
plurality rather than majority and declar-
ing that the amendment IL adopted should
ciared that the vote should be upon the
whole substance OF the resolve, but the
form OF the question 10 be put upon the
ballot stated only the change from majority
TO plurality and did not mention the time
OF application. Hence the question Is
raised whether the people have actually
passed upon the time At which the amend
ment should take effect. But practically
L.. skas sk.n
pass, for il was a matter OF general no.
toriety and agreement that plurality
would decide the election IL the amend
ment were adopted. Moreover it was pro
yided in the resolve that a copy thereof
should be conspicuously posted IN every
polling place in Maine, and we are in-
formed that il was so posted. SO every
body voted on that assumption, the Re
publicans voting yes because they
thought they would have a plurality at
least, aud the Democrats voting no be-
cause they, too. thought the Republicans
would have plurality. \ little after noon
OF election day finding things tending un-
eNpectedly Democratward, kilograms were
sent all over the State directing the Demo
Gratis 10 change their policy and vote yes,
which accounts for the large majority In
favor of the amendment
The proposition 10 apply the amendment
10 the election OF 1850 was Republican
measure. passed because we thought we
were sure OF plurality a. between Demo
Gratis and Greenbsckers, while we could
hardly expect majority over both.
Fusion rendered IL futile and small plu-
rality seems 10 have been given the Fusion
candidate. IL i certainly not decent or
becoming thing for Republicans 70 now
seek To di>cre,iit what they would have
vigorously sustained had the result
answered anticipation. IL i questioning
the legitimacy oftheir own offspring The
only proper course for them 10 take Is 10
assume that the constitution stands
amended in accordance with the terms or
the resolve. The Governor has issued his
proclamation announcing large majority
in favor ofthe amendment and the Repub-
Leans should proceed under the amended
constitution. II the question ever goes 10
the court let 1t be on motion OF somebody
other than Republicans. We are glad u
know that the Governor aud Council en-
terrain this view Of the matter and will in
no event invoke the opinion OF the court in
the case We hope and believe that the
Republicans OF the Legislature will agree
with them in this opinion.
Nor will the Republicans take advantage
OF errors in ballots or returns in the name
of the opposition candidate. IL i under
stood that these are sufficiently numerous
70 shin the small plurality 10 our side, II
the count be in the usual method which
has prevailed for years. But we cannot
touch anything OF this kind in face OF the
broad aud luminous utterances ofthe court
in their noble opinion OF last winter.
Every vote that was obviously intended
for Harris VI. PlaiSted should be counted
FOR him. whatever curious pranks in the
way Of spelling or initials may have been
played upon his name.
few Republicans whose party zeal out
runs their discretion would avail them
selves of all their strict lawful rights aud
apply % their opponents the utmost "rigor
of the game" This would probably give
Us a Republican Governor, hut I'm what
shape would IL leave Us before our
selves and before the world! Ii would
beljttle our heroic struggle OF last winter
against official yillainly. Plain people
wouldn't see much difference between Us
and them, though We might be acting
strictly in accordance with law while they
violated IL. IL il no answer 10 say that
the Democrats under similar circumstances
would DO the wrong thing Their eX-
ample i useful only 10 show what 10 avoid.
The Republican party OF Maine has come
upon a great opportunity To emphasize in
a conspicuous way the distinction between
themselves and the Democrats in character,
spirit and method OF conducting putsic
affairs IL is large aud magnanimous
thing which is given them 10 do and in
wolves very considerable degree OF self
sacrifice. Beside the general political dis
inclination 10 have the other side win, they
are asked To make Governor q man who Is
personally offensive TO many of them. II
would be easier TO support an extreme
Democrat than this renegade Republican.
To be sure he will be Murdered from much
harm by Republican Legislature, Council
and State officers. But the dose is a Bit
ter one for all that. The thing TO do, how
ever, is 10 take il like men with as few wry
faces a. nature permits. IL will be whole
some for Us and for the Republicans of the
whole nation. The Wings of Massa-
chusetts once counted in an opposition
Governor by a majority OF one vote, and
the names ofthe men who did il are held
In honor 20 this day. Our legislators have
a like honorable path before them. Let
them not he diverted from il by love or
hate, by hope Of party gain or stress of
party strife. The right thing 10 do is
clearly marked out; and in politics even
more than in other affairs of life, the right
thing is the expedient also.