Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1880-12-16
The GAernor Question.

This question is just now exciting increas-
ing interest and It j. the wish OF every IN
telligent and far minded citizen, no doubt.
that 1t will be settled justly and honorabl,.
aid an harmony with the best interest Of the
State. Al! party feeling should be laid
aside. and the question be settled Upon the
basis Of constitutional law and political
honor. ANY shriveling meannes., any dis
position to take advantage Of mere ;eehni-
oali,ies would result in untold damage no,
only to the Republican Party but to the
body polite.
Every victorious party, that is the imper-
sona,ion Of honor and high moral sense. j.
expected TO be magnanimous toward is de-
feated enemies, and though We owe the Dem
orra,ic Party nothing for it, graciousness
toward Us, Vet if We could give it a whole
some lesson in political morality. a, this
time. We might perform a grander service
than could be achieved by any Republican
administration however wise and benefceni
There is large class Of intelligent and in
dependent Republicans who desire TO see the
party rise above the deleterious influence Of
extreme partisan feeling and misehievous
leaders and shape It's policy solely for the
good Of the people.
The amendment authorizing the election
Of Governor by plurality of votes was pro-
posed by leading Republicans, among whom
were gentlemen of acknowledged legal
talent and passed by Republican Legisla-
ture and finally endorsed, as was generally
believed by the nearly solid vote of the Re
publican Party. So far as | could learn
nine-tenths of that party voted in favor Of
it, while large majority Of the Democrats
voted against il. We saw nor heard no,
one word of discussion an,icipatiye Of this
mooted question Of the unconstitutionality
of the amendment referred to from Repub-
Leans prior TO the September election and
il Was generally supposed tina, the amend
ment if approved by the people would take
effec, upon the election of 1880. But no
sooner was the result Of tha, election made
known than wise legal gentlemen said per
haps Plaisted won't be Governor after ALL
IL is clear enosgh 10 nv mind, though ]
don't profess to know the simplest rudimenis
Of fundamental Law that the amendment
could not take effect until after its ratifca-
ton by the people and the fact was ascer-
tanned and declared. In all cases the citi,
zen should have reasonable opportunity to
know the laws that are instituted for his
government so that his rights and interests
may be maintained in harmony Herewith.
A retroactive amendment is an abnormal
creature in a government like ours, end il
entertained would be fatal TO the existence
of all law. One law must not be allowed
to invade the sacred domain of its predeces-
sor, else Our whole system of laws like a
tier of brick when Obs leans too hard agains,
its neighbor the whole falls TO tbs ground.
The only wise solution to this question
that can see Is this: The first question
f,r the Legislature to ascertain is whether a
Governor has been elected by the people.
If any doubt arises as to whether the rule
Of msjori,y or plursii'y eonstiiutionaily ap-
plies to the election. than the Legislature
should invoke tbs opinion of the Supreme
Court which would settle this question be.
yond doubt or suspicion.
| If they decide against the amendment
then proceed to ascertain rho has majority
Of the votes csst-that is what person moi
what name reeeiyed majority. II Plaisted
be that man let him ~ ~ means fill the
position with the good wishes Of esexs friend
of sound government. II he has received
only pisralify of the votes cast, then lei
evssy member of the Legislature vote for
him in obeiiesse to the declared opinion Of
the people that il is best sp- the State that