The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1880-01-15
Another Oe..,..,..s

Another Connlssion9
It is not easy to understand ct this
distance why Governor Garcelon SUBJ
mitted to the Supreme Court of Maine
any of the questions arising out of the
count of the returns of that State in
| the election of the Legislature. Away
out here it looks like amazing impu-
dence on the part of Lot Morrill, to
ask that these questions be submitted
to referees. Governor Garcelon and
the Council are themselves the Su-
preme Court of Maine, SO far as this
question is concerned, until the two
branches of the Legislature themselves
are called upon to determine the quail
iications and the electors of their own
members. The Governor and Coun-
Gil are the lawful, constitutional Court
of last resort, upon this question, till
the assembling of the Legislature.
The Supreme Court Of Maine has no
more to do with this question thaahas
any Court in any other State in the
Union. The Governor and Council
have the sole power under the Consti-
tuition and laws of Maine to deter
mine from the returns who appear to
be elected to the Legislature. The
Constitution and the laws define with
great exactness what shall constitute
lawful returns. These directions are
made in the fundamental law and in
the statute to throw safeguards around
suffrage, to secure the ballot, to as
sure, so far as law can assure, an hon.
est return of the votes. These prOvis-
sions of law are carefully framed to
make certain as possible an honest re-
turn OF the votes The essential fea-
lures of these commands of law were
placed in the Constitution of the State
in order that they might be perman-
emily regarded.
In accordance with the directions
of the Constitution and the laws, the
Governor and Council of Maine have
Judged the returns. 1t was not direct
ed that the Supreme Court should
pronounce upon these returns; it was
commanded by the Constitution that
the Governor and Council should pro-
nounce upon them, and should declare
who appeared to be elected. They
have done 30. The finding of the
lawful and highest tribunal is against
the Republicans, and, of course, they
now want to leave the matter to refe.
rees. There is Garcelon's corner lot.
The title perfect in law. Lot Morrill,
proposes to "toss up" to see whether
the corner lot belongs to Garcelon or
to Morrill,. This was the Republican
deuce in 1876-77. They had lost the
Presidency; they were anxious to
leave it to a Commission to decide
whether they had lost it or not. The
loser at game is always willing to
play the game over again to see
whether he has lost it or not.
In this case the Supreme Court has
no jurisdiction in the premises. There
is no case before them. If any ques-
tions are referred to them they are
submitted to them only as referees,
and not at all to them as Court. 1t
would be as proper to submit these
questions to an eqnal number of citi-
zens of Maine, not on the bench, IS to
this Court. The Constitution has
aAohAOA Al
which the election of the members of
the Legislature shall be determined,
each House being, of course, the fual
arbiter, as the judge of the Quaiifica-
tions and elections of its own members.
The Constitution and the laws haye
been observed by the Governor and
Com mission, company of referees.
The losers wants to "draw cuts" to
see whether or not they have lost.
The Republican party will presently
become addicted to Commissions, to
referees. Whenever il loses an elec-
ton by "the forms of law" it will
call for Commission" "My king
dom for CommissionI" Let us sup
pose that the Constitution and laws
of Maine had made the Supreme Court
or the Judges of the Court of that
State, the final judge of the returns.
Let us suppose that the Judges of this
Court had counted the returns in the
same obediance to the Constitution
and laws-no more, no less-that has
been observed by the Governor and
Council. Let us suppose that the
Judges of the Court had "counted
out" the "Fusionists," as 1t is alleged
the Republicans have been "counted
out" Then let us suppose that the
offer to refer the question
to the Governor and Council, or to
some other referee. How would the
receive such a PROPOSE
tion? Would they not laugh at the
persons making it? Would they not
say, This question has been decided in
with law, and we have won
the case; we do not propose to shake
dice to know whether we have wOno
not. If people opposed to the Repub-
lican party can not win elections when
they have equity on their side, and if
they can not win]elections when they
have both law and equity on their
side, but must always, when they, win
refer the matter to an Eight-to-seven
Commission, the outlook for. the goY-
ernment of the people is not hopeful.
If neither votes, nor Constitution, nor
laws ara of -an-aYail to -Demncrafs-
and to people opposed to the policy of
the Republican party, we might as
we'll authorize the Blaines, and the
and the Republicans gen.
orally, specially visiting statesmen, to
appoint Commissions to determine all
elections. On this theory the Repub-
lican party has perpetual lease of
power; and on this theory it is useless
for Democrats or anti. Republicans to
have votes or Constitutions or stat
utes.-[Cincinnati Enquirer.
IN IRON.MAKING.
The successful employment of Pc
trolem as fuel in the manufacture of
ron, has, according to the Engineer
ing and Mining Journal" been ac-
by process invented by