Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-01-29
Letter from Foster TO GarcelOn.


The Bangor Wing and Courier yesterday
published the following rich letter from John
y. Foster to Governor Garcelon. Foster
seemed to have a foretaste of the
Judgment to come, and wanted to escape it
by dividing the spoil and leaving Major
Smith out in the cold
CuIc,Go, Dec. -, 1879.
DEAR t.ovERNoE
have just arrived here. 10 A. N. find
the political situation in Maine is the pre-
Willing topic of conversation everywhere.
The action Of the Governor and Council j,
generally m,sisdqed. everyone getting their
idea from the Associated Press dispatches
| regret 10 say that am afraid that we are
not fpiiy sustained. eren By the democrats,
and only two parties seem to be recognized.
viz republicans and democrats. The posi-
ton We assume, and know to be right, that
the Governor and Council act in the matter
of canvassing the returns n judicial body
and have not equity power. is not fully un-
derstood. 1t is rather supposed BY people
generally that il is simply ministerial or cler-
zeal. Ir MUST re ADMITTED THAT rs AP>R-
rY WE ARE IN An UNPLEASANT POSITION.
! | am afraid that unless some compromise
is made that We shall suffer nezt year. The
way ont Of the dilemma honorable to us as a
party and especially to the Governor and
/ Council. is a question which has been con-
! sr,NrIN IRON Ny MIND since saw YOU on
] Saturday I full Ill;
that our action as Governor and Coun-
/ ell must he sustained ny law. 90
| That the position we have taken of what
our duties are, is the correct one. and the
only safe one to be followed. and that those
who condemn rs now will hereafter approve
our course and strictly adopt it in the matter
of treating the returns. Ir Will HAVE THE
EFFECT To EDUCATE THE PEOPLE TO TUE
IMPORTANCE OF MAKING LEGAL Returns
I But we say the Legislature has fpH equity
/ poIrer, and that they can exercise it with
ont rejecting in the least upon our action
W. Fully UNDERSTAND If we do not take
/ into account the frauds which are said to
/ have been committed in the election THAT
/ ORGANIZATION OF rHr LEGlsLArrRE. if the
returns had been legal. that equity gives
T them the advantage. Would it no. he right
and also Poi'tic. looking to the future of the
party. for the Legislature to exercise that
/ power whica we dill not possess. and deal
ecui,ably? This then in brief Is what |
would suggest, viz
/ Let those to whom the Governor and
/ Council have issued certificates take their
seats and organize the Legislature nv cleo.
ting rs President of the Senate whoever
the Republicans nominate. let them have
/ the minor Offices of the Senate let the on
position have the organization of the House.
Let Mr.. Davis name be one of two that
shall be sent up to the Senate for the can
didatcs for Governor; and let the Senate
elect Mr.. Davis. give THREE of the
seven Councillors to the Republicans.
and DIVIDE ruK STATE OFFICES A.
NEARLY EQUI between the parties as
possible. lie, the Representatives Of the cit
les which were deprived of their seats by the
ilegaliiy of their returns be admitted. and let
the committees be made up of the best men
of both parties with reference to the impor-
taut business of the State and no; TO politics.
90 In following substantially this plan we
will - to the people next wear and believe
receive their verdict of approval
assume, of course, that the Legislature
would carry out such a programme if re-
ques,ed by the opposite candidates for Gov
ernor. have no doub, they would do so:
at any rate SO far as the Office of Governor j.
concerned, it is in the hands of the opposing
candidates. lfyou and Major Smith and Mr..
Bradhary should concur in the views ex
pressed, you coald of course compel such a
result.
WITHOUT SOME COMPROMISE I SEE BEFORE
Tus OPPOSITION An OVERWHELMING DEFEAT
MINT YEAR. Ii seems to me some such COM
promise as suggest must be regarded as
honorable: and in view of the important busi-
ness TO be transacted by the Legislature the
coming winter, it is of great importance
hope yen will no: consider me as imposing
NV views upon you, but receive what have
said as prompted on my part by an honest de.
sire TO GET orr OF orR DIFFICULTY in an
honorable way. Very truly yours.
(SignedA ATS J. r Eosrrr