Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-02-25
TINE INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE.
TIE BuCKFIELD, HEBRON AND
B4OWNFIELO CASES.


Yesterday afternoon, the Investigating
Committee held . session in the Senate
Chamber.
The first case conaidered vas an examina-
ton Of the returns Of the town of Buckfeld
for county officers. 1t appears tina, owing to
some oversight on the part Of, town off,
Gals, the returns from this town were sent to
Augusta without any writing to indicate from
whaf place they came. Az Ruck6eld gave a
fusion majority, Gov. Garcelon's Council
very accommOdatinglv supplied the missing
words "Buckfield" and Oxford" and the re-
turns we're not declared defective.
Albion p. BOnney, chairman of the town
committee Of Buckheld, was the first witness
called. He stated that he assisted in making
up the returns Of his town. He examined
the papers and stated that the words Cox
ford" and ''Buckfeld'' had been added by
some one after the documents left the hands
Of the town officers. The returns as origi-
nally made up left the name of the town and
county blank, and there was netting on their
face to show from what town they came.
Cyrus c. SpAulding, town clerk of Buck.
field, democrat in politics, then examined
the amended" returns, and stated that the
words ''Buckfeld'' and .'Oxford" on them
were in the handwriting Of some parties with
whom he was unacquainted. They were in
terpolated by some unknown persons after
they left his hands. The returns did not pass
out Of his hands after they were sealed up.
and must have been tempered with in the
Secretary Of States office. He had no doubt
they had been doctored after they left his
hands.
Geo. ID. Bisbee, clerk of the investigating
committee, next testified. Mr.. B. resides in
Buckfeld, and is an attorney at law. After
the September election he was employed by
portion Of the republican candidates for
county Offices to come to Augusta and inves-
tigate the matter. He arrived here about the
6rst Of December, and asked to he allowed to
examine the returns for Senators, Represen-
tatives, and county officers in Oxford county.
After some delay, he was allowed to see the
returns Of . portion Of the towns. Among
these was Buckheld. The words in question
had not then been supplied. He called the
attention of the council to the omission;
and also mentioned the fact to Mr.. Enoch c.
Harrington Of Fryeburg, and to his towns
men. The fusion majority in Buck6eld was
1872. If this return had been thrown out the
republican candidates for judge of Probate
court and county commissioners would have
been elected. The election Of these two
officers depended upon how the vote Of
Buckfield was counted.
Enoch G. Harrington Of Fryeburg, a re-
publican, trader by occupation, member Of
the republican State committee in 1879, was
next called. On the 9Th of last December he
came to Augusta. 1 told John B. Foster Of
Gov. Garcelon's- council, what I wanted to
do, and he allowed me to examine the returns.
/ made memoranda Of the towns where the
l-E. eL.AA etpAa
the words Buckfeld' nor "Oxford" were on
the returns. / called Fosters attention to
the fact. and also sent a letter to the Cox
ford Democrat" newspaper. At the same
time examined the returns Of the town Of
Hebron for county commissioner. The two
candidates for that position were Frank T.
Bradley, republican. and Henry &.
Walker, fusionist On the returns Walkers
name had originally been written Henry c.
Walker, but the SC had been transformed
into CO. by a stroke of the pen. This was
clumsiiy done, and the ink used was of
slightly different hue from the original. If
the return had been thrown out Gas there is
no such person as Henry c. Walker), it
would have made n difference of ~ votes.
The returns from Brownfleld also were de-
fective. as they contained neither the name Of
the town or the county. l made minutes of
been adroitly added BY somebody. The fusion
candidate had in this town "a majority. If
the vote of Buckfeld and Brownfield had been
thrown out fer being defective. the republic
can candidate would have been elected by
small msjorities.
Mr.. George. c. Wing of Auburn was in
Augusta on the LIST Of December. and in
company with Mr.. Savage went to the coun-
Gil chamber for the purpose of seeing the re-
turns. They waited from 80 until noon, when
they sent note to Mr.. Fogg, which was re-
turned with the following endorsement on the
back. from that gentleman:
THAT the messenger be instructed to in
form Messss Wing, Savage, and Bisbee that
the council have decided not to submit any
inspection of the returns for Senators and
Representatives, ~ no defects in the returns
can be changed"
The committee then adjourned subject to
call Of chairman.