Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-01-12
eur NEXT oovEaneR.
Important Session Of The
Committee on Gubes.sa-
fO1.tNL Votes.
,.MsrEp's PLURALITY 100.


IN the Senate chamber yesterday morning at
1880 o'clock. Hon. Arson P. Morrill, called
the Committee to order, in the absence of
Chairman Berry. Senator Walker Of OK
lard. from the subcommittee, reported that
he had received an attested copy Of the town
,scords of vassalboro'. No returns had been
received from Drew or Blaine plantations.
The copy was read by the clerk.
Mai. Dickey stated that he had received q
certified copy Of the record from the
n,n Of Morrill, in Waldo county,
~hich in its official return sent up
"a votes for Harrison NJ. Pasted. The copy
vas read. 1t gave 76 votes for Harris NJ.
Plais,ed and 80 votes for Daniel F. Davis.
Accompanying this affidavit Of the clerk was
paper signed ny the selectmen of Morrill,,
sayng that the town gave Its votes for Har-
ria N. and not Harrison NJ. Plaisted. At
,ached to this last paper was a ballot cast at
the September election on which the candi-
dates names we're correctly printed.
A sworn statement from II. F. Mattocks of
Ellsworth, clerk of Ward in that city, was
read. 1t stated that the 81 votes returned
for Harrison NJ. Plaisted were actually cast
for Harris NJ. Plaisted.
Major Dickey stated that in his opinion it
would be judicious to make new departure
and admit these corrected returns, and tab
uIste the votes for Harris NJ. Plaisted.
On motion. the return Of Vassalboro' was
taken up.
Senator Mortland Of Knox rose to define
bi. position. He had been unable on careful
search TO find any authentic precedent for
taking secondary evidence. The duty Of the
committee was ministerial and not judicial.
They had no right, under the constitution, to
70 behind the returns and take secondary
evidence.
Mr.. Dickey believed that under the decis-
ion Of the court, the towns should not be dis
franchised because Of the negligence of town
officers.
Senator Mortland remarked that the gentle
man from Fort Kent, had experienced a re-
markable change Of heart since Friday. At
that time he was opposed to the tabulation of
the Vassaboro' return. But since then,
Wishing to admi. other towns, he was willing
70 let Vassalboro' in. Let us count every vote
We can count, but let us be right. l enter
nv protest against counting or rejecting any
return when our action will be at variance
With the constitution.
The vote was then taken by ayes and nays
IN the question of receiving the return from
vassalboro'. 1t resulted: ayes, Is; nays,l.
On motion of Dickey of Fort Kent the re-
turn from the town Of Morrill, was taken up.
Mr. McKusick of Calais, stated that there
wmadifierence between the two cases. In Vas
saboro' the votes were correctly tabulated;
but owing to neglect on the part Of the town
clerk, his signature was not affixed. In the
town of Morrill, the return was radically
wrong.
Mr.. verrill of Portland, moved that the
motion to correct the tabulation OF the town
Of Morrill, lie upon the table until two o'clock
in the afternoon.
On motion of Mr.. Dickey of Fort Kent,
the vote on the Vassalboro' return was re-
considered.
Adjourned until two o'clock r. NJ.
AFTERNOON.
The Ellsworth case was thoroughly dis
eussed, and it was voted 10 to 81 not to sub
sttute the affidavit of the ward clerk for the
original return. which gave Harrison NJ.
Plaisted 81 votes
II was voted to allow the returns from Vas
'alboro and Morrill, to be corrected and
tabulated
The tabuation then stood:
Davis. Plaisted.
1880 1885,
vassaboro'. 4l4 270
Morrill,. IS
1854 1918
Plaistcd's plurality. l69
And the committee reported: The sub
committee on Gubernatorial votes have at
tended to their duty and ask leave to report
that the whole number of votes for Governor
il:
Harris NJ. Plaistea ,3.1I3
Daniel +. Davis 13544
Joshua Nve 200
William =. Jov. i24
Harrison NJ. Plaisted. 81
Scattering a5
And Harris NJ. Plaisted having received a
plurality Of votes returned is duly elected
"o'ernor for the current political term, ISL
So
senator Murtland of Knox then ably dis
eassed the question of the constitutionality
'he amendment Let us be careful not to
assume here that We have powers not dele
s''ed to us by the constitution. l believe
aa' We have no power to declare the man
.ee'ed who has simply plurality of votes.
'aH position should have taken no matter
."co Candidate had plurality Of the votes
"'oSn | cannot sign the report Of the
Committee
Ar Dickey then m we'd that Harris NJ.
'A's'ed having received plurality of all the
es returned for Governor at the Scptem-
election, he declared Governor Of the
State of Maine.