The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1880-03-13
BY TELEGRAPH
GARCELON'S DEFENCE.
IGNORANCE THE PEST PLEA
HE CAN OFFER.
He Thought His Council Honest
AND SIGNED SUCH CERTIFI-
GATES AS THEY PRE-
SCENTED.
He Thought His Council Honest
An Interesting Letter from the
Editor of the Boston Post.

An Interesting Letter from the
Editor of the Boston Post.
Especial Despatch to the Press.]
AUGUSTA March 12.-The Hale investiga.
ting committee have been engaged all day in
hearing the testimony of Governor Garcelon.
Their forenoon session was holden in one of
the rooms of the Adjutant Generals office,
but there were so many who could not get in
and who were anxious to hear what Garcelon
had to say, that in Difference to their wishes
they adjourned to the Representatives Hall.
and held their meeting there this afternoon,
the House having rendered them the use of
the hall.
The examination of Gov. Garcelon was con-
fnod to what he knew about those "fatally de-
fective' returns, the questions being PROFOUND
ed by Mr.. Hale. According to his testimony,
the rules adopted by himself and Council in
canvassing the returns were intended to cut
equally on 10th sides without regard to party
and they did so far as he was aware so he said:
but when he was confronted by the returns and
tabulations and it was shown him beyond
doubt that his rule had not been so applied
when Republicans were counted out he adj
mitteed that outrage had been done, and pre-
tended that he was ignorant of it and
had he known of it at the time it
would never have been perpetrated
This affected ignorance does not tally with
what he has repeatedly stated in his public
harangues that he was "proud'' in being able
to reverse the result of the election, DECLARE
ton that he was entirely Obvious of today
Besides this attempt to show himself guiltless
in the contingent conspiracy, and that he
had not been disposed to take the slightest ad-
vantage of technical omissions in the returns
for partisan purposes, he went so far as to state
that when he issued the certificates to the sew
enty-eight Greenback and Democratic repre-
sentatives and the sixty-one Republican repre-
sentatives, he did not know their politics
except in few instances This piece of testi-
mony caused marked sensation, and men in
their establishment could scarcely realize the
sad and humiliating spectacle that was pre-
sented of man who had been chief magistrate
OF the State, resorting to what was believed
with common impulse to be deliberate per-
version of the truth. And when, in the same
breath, he added that when he was afterwards
informed by the newspapers of the political
status of the legislature and that ic contained
Fusion majority in both branches it was a
pleasing surprise to him, there was
derisive and contemptuous look directed
at him by nearly every one present
He swore that he had no hand nor part in tab
ulating the returns and that if any crooked
ness took place it was done without his knowl-
edge. What he was knowing to had been
done in accordance with the constitution and
laws, for which he protested great reverence.
When questioned by Mr.. Hale his memory
seemed to be as fatally defective" as the re-
turns exhibited In his bland-like ignorance
and forgetfulness he did not know how Port
land went last fall at the election. The gen.
eral impression was that, Notwithstanding the
Governor expressed his belief that his Council
was composed of honorable men who did
everything in accordance with the constitution
and the laws he was surrounded by precious
set of rascals, and when he also declared that
he knew nothing of changes in the returns or
the tabulations, those knowing his partisan
animus were nevertheless very suspicious that
he was knowing to the infamous designs of the
conspirators to install legislature by fraud,
backed up by force.
The following letter from tile editor of the
Boston Post will be read with interest,"
BOSTON, Dec. 25, TO-
MY DEAR SIR:-I have been too busy to
write since your letter was received, but was
glad to hear from you direct.
Your principle is correct, but fear your
Council made improper Determinations in its
application. If such is really the fact, it will
not stand the light now or after the organiza-
ton. [ am dnIiouS on the subject on your
account. The John Burnham case as report
ed, makes it appear that you did not know the
facts, and had you known them you would
have come to a different result. I hope you
have not been hoodwinked by others. Sooner
or later all the facts will come out. If there
has been monkery you ought to ascertain the
TACT and not allow roguery of others to reach
you. You will be held responsible for every-
thing right or wrong. The shoe pinches at
several points. The Skowhegan ease appears
to me departure from the rule laid down.
Gould's letter shows that he then held the
same opinion. II the facts are reported
correctly some Democratic Represents
tives were admitted by which Republic
cans were rejected. If a trick was played to
send out blanks adapted to deceive it was
wrong-if the allegation is unfounded why
has it not been authOritatively denied by Cove
and Pillsbury as gross outrage. Perhaps this
has been done, but not to my knowledge. It
is hard to make the public believe that Demo-
cratic returns were so generally correct and SO
many Republican ones fatally defective unless
ours were 6octored to their disadvantage. 1
regret this whole thing on your account, as
we'll as in behalf of the Democratic party and
my native State. Where there is 50 much
interests shall keep steadily in view. From
all that appears believe Farley's recommen-
dation best for all concerned. You are doubt
less aware that many leading Democratic pa
pers have been bitter in denouncing this bust
ness. shall defend you and the right, but
cannot countenance rascality of men behind
you, if it exists.
Very truly yours,
GEO. F. EMERY.
*There is evidently all omission here, proba-
bly, the fault of the copyist. The context shows
pretty clearly that what Mr. Emery said or in
tended to say was that Democrats were admit
ted Notwithstanding the existence of defects
similar to those which were used to count out
Republicans on.-ED.
The enclosed slip was from former NJ. c.,
and lawyer and Democrat.
Gov. Garcelon's testimony will be continu ed
tomorrow before the committee, and important
developments are expected under the severe
cross-examination to which he will be subject
ed
Adiutant General Leavitt has been sum-
moned before the committee, on the strength
of Mr.. Talbot's testimony, who testified that
Leavitt sent him three blank returns last
November with official envelopes, and wrote
him about defects in the Addison, Jonesboro
and Whiting returns.
Co. x~xI,< L..
day by consenting to testify, will appear before
the committee again tomorrow.
ITO the Associated Press.]
AUGUSTA, March 12.-Hon. Alonzo Garce-
lon of Lewiston, Ex-Governor of Maine,
was before the Hale investigating committee
today in response to summons The testi-
mony in the forenoon, beginning at II o'clock,
concerned chiefly the time when the tabua-