Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-07-08
Councillor Fosters Letter to Gov
ernOr GarcelOn Proposing 8
COmDrOmfse.

Councillor Fosters Letter to Gov
ernOr GarcelOn Proposing a
Compromise.
Among the letters and papers which fell
into the hands of the republicans last win
ter, at the surrender of the contingent
conspirators, was letter from John B.
Foster, o member of the Executive Coun-
Gil, who went to Chicago in December
and from that place addressed the follow
ing communication to Governor Garce-
Ion.
When Foster left the State of Maine to
60 west the popular storm over the Count
ing-out outrage was at its height. Get
ting outside our State and finding that the
nefarious acts of himself and his coadiut-
ors in the great crime against the people,
was meeting with strong and universal
denunciation everywhere-even demo-
Gratis condemning it-he seems to have
come to a sharp realization of the disgrace
and punishment which would result to
himself and the fusion party if the fraud
were persisted in according to the origi-
nal plan, and so from his retreat at Chi
cago he wrote Garcelon proposing a
''compromise' with the republicans.
At this present time, when the fusionists
are making prodigious efforts to defend
the Count-out. and Garcelon and his Coun-
Gil and their confederates are seeking a
popular vindcation for themselves by the
election of Harris NJ. Plaisted. it will be
well to look this letter of Foster over
carefully. and there see in its carefully
guarded admissions and suggestions the
confession of the crime which his craven
heart dared not fully avow nor yet entire
ly conceal.
He assumed that the Count-out was
right and yet he admitted that it was
wrong. He says II am afraid that we are
mot fully sustained, even by democrats y
"unless some compromise is made, we
''shall suffer next year. 1.-THE republi-
scans would have had the organization of
1.-The Legislature if the returns had been
illegal. That equity gives them the adj
vantage" Without some compromise
II see before the opposition [fusionists. ]
ian overwhelming defeat next year As
no compromise was made, Fosters pre-
diction of an overwhelming defeat" will
be in order next September. The follow
ing is
COUNCILLOR Fosters LETTER.
CHICAGO, December 90, 1879.
Dear Governor;
I have just arrived here, 10 A. NJ. l find
the political situation in Maine is the prevail
ing topic of conversation everywhere. The
action Of the Governor and Council is gem
orally misjudged. every one getting their
idea of the matter from the Associated Press
dispatches. regret to saw that 1 am afraid
that ,re are not faiiy sustained, EVEN ny THE
DEMOCRATS; and only two parties seem to be
recognized, viz. republicans and democrats.
The position we assume, and know to be
right, that the Governor and Council act in
the matter of canvassing the returns. as aju-
dicial body and have not equity powers. is
not fully understood. Ii is rather supposed
by people generally, that it is simply minis
terial, or clerical. 1t must be admitted that
as a party re are IN an unpleasant posi-
fion. am afraid that UNLESS SOME COM
PROMISE IL MADE, THAT WE SHALL SUI
FER NEXT YEAR.
The way out Of the dilemma honorable to
us As a party. and especially to the Governor
and Council, is a question which has been
constantly upon my mind since saw you ON
Saturday.
assume, and fully believe that our action
as Governor and Council must be sustained
by Law; 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 US now will hereafter APP
prove our course, and strictly adopt il, in
the matter Of treating the returns. 1t will
have the effect to educate the people to the
importance of making legal returns.
But we say the Legislature have full equity
power, and that they can exercise IT without
rejecting in the least upon our action.
We fully understand (if we do not take
into account the frauds which are said to
have been committed in the election), THAT
THE REPUBLICANS WOULD HAVE
HAD THE ORGANIZATION OF THE
LEGISLATURES IF THE RETURNS
HAD BEEN LEGAL. That equity gives
them the advantage.
Would it not be right. ana also poitic,
looking to the future of the party, for the
Legislature to exercise that power which We
did not possess. and deal equitablys
This, then, in brief. is whatI would sug-
Rest, viz: Let those to whom the Governor
3 I'd Council have issued certificates take
their seats and organize the Legislature. by
electing ~ President of the Senate whoever
the republicans nominate. Let them have
the minor officers of the Senate. Let the
opposition 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
didate for Governor, AND LET THE SEN