Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-03-15

Gov. Garcelen Freely Admits
the Sins Of his CouHeil.
re WAVES lnDleNAnT 0VER THEIR
vlllAlnI.
Asserts that they Deceived him and
that he Believed Everything
to be Fair and Square



DIR. Garcelon appeared before the Hale
committee, Saturday afternoon q, 80 o'clock,
in Representatives Hall, via horse and team
from Winthrop. The usual large audience
was present.
The CAerryAela Case.
The Governor continued his testimony.
There was . case in which objection was
raised by the Council on account of the ineli-
gibiliiy to Office Of one Of the selectmen
making up the return. This was the case of
Cherryfeld. Don't remember whether the
man affected was a republican or democrat.
Don't remember that my attention was called
to the statute of 1873, which gives the Gov
ernor and Council no right to determine
judgment is that the statute Of 1878 did not
apply to this case. Don't remember that
there was anything on the face Of the Cherry
field return to raise the question of the legal
ity Of the return. Know nothing about my
Council sending out letters to persons in
sympathy with them politically, asking these
persons to see if they could find any defects
that would work to the advantage Of the flu
sionists. Never heard that there was self
constituted bureau in Augusta, whose object
it was to get afRdavits from persons about de-
fects in returns that would operate against
the republicans. Have no knowledge that
Eben F. Pillsbury had any completely in the
matter, any more than that he was very much
interested in the subject Of politics.
The Governor examined the tabulated re-
turns for the Cherryield class Of towns, and
stated in this tabulation the line opposite the
town of Cherryfeld was left blank. Throw
ing this town out gave fusion majority, rs
the town was republican by over 200 votes.
1t was alleged that one Of the selectmen was
an alien; but. in fact, the man was an Amer
lean citizen, and an affidavit was made to
this effect and sent to the officials at Augusta.
More Invincible Ignorance.
Remember the case of the town of Fair
legged to have been sent in, one of which neu-
tralized the other. The vote of Fairfield was
not counted This elected fusionist. Don't
know the politics Of the contestants. Helped
decide this case. If had known which was
the correct return, would have had it tabu-
lated. Did not examine the returns of Fair
field personally; took the Councils work for
it that it was defective. Had nothing to do
with examining the return for Governor. Ac-
companying one Of these returns for county
officers was letter dated Sept. &c, stating
that there was an error in the other return,
and that this amended rctern was sent to re-
place the other. Never saw this letter before.
Garcelsn Acknewleages Mutilatien Of
Returns.
Governor Garcelon examined the represen-
tative and senatorial returns from Fairfield,
and stated there was an appearance of men,
orandum having been pasted on the upper
left-hand corner of the return, and torn off
by some one similar memorandum also
accompanied the gubernatorial return. Have
no do doubt that the memorandum on the
representatives return was torn of. Never
Think it was gross outrage. Am not here
to sanction fraud. Do not now pretend to
excuse or justify this act. Relied explicitly
upon my Council, and must confess that
was guilty of neglect in not
looking into the matter more closely
than did. In my public statements that
there was no fraud committed, Irelied upon
the good faith of my Council. Presume S.
S. Brown assured me that the returns from
Fairfield were defective. Was never pro-
posed to my knowledge that any selectmen
be allowed to make affidavit rs to which was
the correct return, although We took evidence
in the case of Pennington. The reason for
this is that
We Wanted 70 Get Representative ofthe
Right staaP'
Laughter.
Witness examined the county oficers, re-
turns from the town of East Livermore, and
stated that the votes for republican county
commissioner we're tabulated for Hiram
Briggs instead of Hiram w. Briggs. On the
town records Mr.. Briggs name vas correct
" written, and the omission of the Nv,
vas q mere clerical error on the part Of tbs
copyist. The certificate was given to the
democratic candidate, Mr.. Piper. II was m,
idea to give Mr.. Briggs the certificate, as ar
afIidavit was presented to the effect that th'
town records contained his name written cor
rectly but nv decision was overuled by thu
Council.
In the town of Lincoln there was simila
case. Benjamin H. Mace, the candidate TO
county commissioner. had his name printed
B. H Mace on the ballots from Lincpln; bu
the vote from Lincoln is tabulated for Benja
min H. Mace. II is the work ofsuperroga
ton to say that Mr.. Mace was fusinnist-
The Governor thought it was proper rul
to throw out candidates where
Daeao MARKS
are used instead of words being written GU
in full. In the return from Andover the fig
ures are written on but one place, and dit
marks used in all others. Hardly think tina
Andover should be counted out, as the figure
are made very plainly, although not write
out. The town Of westbrook exhibits . sim
liar case. ditto marks are used under the sum
n. 4