Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1881-01-18
THE LEGISLATURES.

On Tuesday the Legislature got Iairiy
at work again. The committee on cleo
tons had a meeting, and decided by
vote of Is to 8 to report that Harris NJ.
plaisted was elected Governor for the
years lssl-s2. by plurality vote.
On Wednesday the committee reported
to both branches of the Legislature. In
the Senate lengthy debate took place
on motion to substitute the minority
report for the majority Three members
presented Il minority report. which de
clared there had been no election, as no
candidate had a majority Of votes. Both
Oxford Senators spoke in favor of giving
the seat to plaisted. Below is the Ken
nebec Journal report of their remarks {;
Mn. WALKER said Did not wish 10 con-
sumo much time of the Senate. Inc cues
tions of law aud fact involved he hah oeeu'
enforced to give some attention to as chair-
man OF the subcommittee. whether on
law or fact the Committee had acted IN a
spirit of fairness and candor. The minor
NV had not attacked the substance-merely
the form of the report OF the majority, and
IL was not the spirit Of the Committee that
form should override substance, anu ne
Trusted the same general spirit that had
governed the Committee thus far would
continue. Nothing could be palmer than
the language OF the resolve that plural
ity OF votes should elect. The committee
had found that Harris VI. Platsted had
plurality. What i our duty but to declare
him elected: All law has the presumption
that IL Is constitutional The people knew
the Importance of the measure upon which
they were voting anc the relation 10 their
yotes-a great motive for u IN regard this
law A. binding. IL is an enjoyable posi-
tjon for Us To stand on a high plane and 70
reject all techuicslities. This opposition
was born of defeat Let Us move forward
in the spirit Of fairness.
Nix. BIsBEE took exceptions with the
gentleman from Knox on the fact that the
people did not know on what they were
voting. when IL vas passed last winter
II MS thoroughly promulgated by the
press. aud il was one of the issues oil the
campaign. for the opposition knew that
under Il. unless they fused they would he
defeated Besides, Il was posted up In
every polling place IN the State. submit
that we did know for what We were voting.
and further. from the time the prociama-
ton WA, made by the Governor 10 the
present. il has been part OF the constitu-
lion.
When a vote was reached, the major
~ report was adopted by a vote of 20
70 o. In the House there was no debate.
but the matter was settled by yea and
nav vote, which stood l29 to $. All the
Oxford Representatives voted IN favor OF
Plai>,ed and fair equitable count. Gen.
Plais,ed was notified by telegraph Of his
election. and replied that he would be
present for Inauguration the following
day.
On Thursday Gen Plaisted was inaug-
urated, and read his address. which we
present. on an extra sheet, 10 each OF our
subscribers. The Portland Press COM
ments on the address. published IN an
other column, meet our approval. The
committees were also announced, and we
ind Oxford County represented as fol-
lows:
Senator Walker i on Bills in Second
Reading. Legal Affairs, and on Towns.
senator Bisbee is on Engros>ed Bills,
Judiciary and State Prison. Mr.. Bridg-
ham Of Buck6eld is on Legal Affairs !;
Mr.. SWEET, Of Brownfeld on Mercantile
Affairs and Insurance, and on Engrossed
Bills: Andrews Of Norway on Agrcul-
ture, and Change of Names; Rowe OF
Peru on Military Affairs Twitcheli OF
Bethel on Interior Waters, and on Towns !;
Bean Of Denmark on Claims; Marble OF
Paris on Insane Hospital, and Education.
Our County is well represented on all the
committees, and we have strong dele
CATION in both branches.
On Friday both branches held short
sessions and then adjourned over until
Tuesday next A considerable number
OF matters were tossed into the leglsla-
tive hopper TO be ground, among which
was an application for a charter for an
eclectic medical college 20 be located IN
Lewiston. IL was voted 70 elect United
States Senator on the 18th inst. a, noon.
The House ordered printed 1000 copies
OF the Governors message In the Sen
ate Mr.. Bisbee of Oxford offered an order
for the appointment OF committee OF
FIVE on the part Of the Senate with such
as TIE House may join for the apPor-
,ionment Of the State for Congressman
and members of the Legislature. The
order was tabled after being discussed,
Mr.. Dingley cf AndrOscoggin eon'ending
tha: there should be three committees to
take charge Of so important 4 matter.