Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-02-11
MAINE LAWLESSNESS.

The Maine legislature has set about tink-
ering the constitution of that State, so as to
prevent, if possible, eny occurrences similar
to those that recently brought such disgrace
tons in general. One of the proposed
changes is one to allow a plurality vote to
choose governor, and another to prescribe
with great particularly the manner of
counting and returning the votes cast at any
election held within the State. Some pa
pers are ridiculing the last proposition as un-
necessary, as the present constitution pre-
scribes all these regulations. They seem to
have forgotten that since the late ruction
Maine has no constitution. The judges of
the supreme Judicial court, in their recent
opinions declared the constitution unconsti-
tutional, the laws illegal, and all its previous
decisions as of no effect. They further de-
clared all precedents previously established
and sanctioned by them as of no value in
determining questions of law. Though the
constitution prescribes that all members of
the legislature must have a certificate of
election and summons from the regularly
constituted authorities to appear and take
his seat, the court declared that q person
without summons who appears to claim
his seat is prima facie entitled to equal con-
sderation with member who has a sum-
mons. By thus placing a premium upon
the efforts of those who wish to contest the
seats of regularly elected members, the court
has destroyed one of the strongest barriers
against the preparation of fraud.
Perhaps the supreme court has done a
good thing in thus abolishing the constitu-
ton and laws of the State of Maine. They
appear to have been next to worthless, and
perhaps it is best that they should be de-
stroyed, and that the legislature should take
fresh start and frame a constitution and
code of laws through which a coach and
four cannot be driven at pleasure. 1t is to
be regretted. however, that the task
of remodeling these safeguards Of
the people has fallen to the lot
Of body of men who have. shown
their disregard for the most sacred rights
of the people by trampliDg underfoot the
laws as they existed, and organizing an
armed revolt for the purpose of forcibly
taking possession Of the State government
in defiance of the legally constituted su-
thorities. From such. "a gang the people of
Maine need expect but little. A constitution
framed or tinkered by them will be purely
partisan, designed for the benefit of one
portion of the people and to deprive another
portion of their rights. There are already
too many laws of such character on the
statute books of both the federal and State
governments. They create hardship and
promote injustice. They are utterly at
variance with the spirit of this nominally
free government. and should be at once set
aside. At least no more should be en-
acted.
The people of Maine will soon have an
opportunity to express their opinion of the
lawlessness that has characterized the Re-
publican party, from the judges of the su-
preme judicial court down to the village
selectmen. If they have the opportunity of
expressing their minds freely, unhampered
by threats, and if the returning boards shall
allow that expression to be properly recorded,
we have little doubt but verdict of en-
phatic condemnation will be entered, which
shall prove warning to all who in the fu-
ture may essay such high-hsnded proceed
ings.