Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-01-03
Not q Pleasing Chapter for Fu.
siOniSts.

Not q Pleasing Chapter for Fuel
sionists.
In making up therecordof the old year,
all the leading newspapers Of the country
except those of the democratic party,
have chapter in relation to the attempt
Of the fusionists to steal this State last
year. which reads with little variation
shout ~ follows:
The year opened with political conspiracy
in Maine. A minority legislature counted in
by IN unscrupulous Governor, undertook TO
put in Office minority State officers. The
Supreme Court of the State had answered the
dozen questions submitted by Governor Gar
celon respecting the powers and duties of the
Governor and his Council as CanvassinR
Board. His action had been condemned by
the highest tribunal in the State as illegal and
unconstitutional, and the fundamental princi-
pie had been affirmed that the people were
not TO be deprived Of the rights Of suffrage
and representation by reason Of formal errors.
The conspirators went on With their work in
defiance Of the Court Of last resort. The
Fusionists organized their legislature on
January 7, and elected Joseph l.. Smith Gov
ernor on January 10. On the following day
the republican members with the aid Of those
who had been illegally deprived Of their GER
tihcates, elected ID. +. Davis Governor. The
republicans marched into the State House in
the absence of the Fusionists, organized both
branches Of the legislature. and appointed a
committee to lay the case before the Supreme
Court and ask for an opinion respecting the
validity Of their organization. In the inter
val the commanding officer Of the militia,
who had received instructions from the re-
firing Governor to protect public property
until Governor should be legally elected
and qualified, refused to acknowledge the
authority Of qthc fusionist Governor. On
January "a the Supreme Court decided that
the republican Legislature was the only legal
body. On the next day the fusionists surren-
dered. The State Offices were given up and
the illegal legislature adjourned. The bottom
Of . most disreputable political plot had fallen
ont.
That is the record which will 90 into
history concerning the course Of the fu-
sionists In Maine last year. The good
name OF the State furnished. An exam
pie set that every honorable man in the
State ought to regard with loathing and
shame. A crime against the rights Of
the people. Popular elections re-
duced to farce. a few men under
taking to nullifv the will of the majority
as declared at the polls. and fill the offices
with creatures of their own. The State
brought to the verge of civil war. The
petitions of the people for justice spurned
by the thieves who would rob them of
their rights. Men claiming seats in the
Legislature who were rejected by the-peo-
pie at the ballot-box, and men who were
elected refused the seats to which they
were entitled This is the chapter con-
corning Maine which the faithful chroni-
clers of passing events are relating as we
enter upon the year 1891.
But this is not all. The whole story
Of the infamy connected with the Garcelon
administration has not yet seen the light
There are revelations yet to come which
will add to the disgrace 1t deservedly
bears. and sink it so deep under public
condemnation that none but fools will at
tpmpt tn defend IT,