Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1882-08-29

Franklin Smith of Somerset, A. NJ. Rob
erts Of Bangor, and Albert Pillsbury o
Washington. Mr.. Pillsbury was tn
Democratic candidate for governor tina
year. General Smith has since been TIT
party candidate, while Mr.. Roberts ha'
repeatedly declined the honor. That is
these Democratic councillors were repre-
sentative party men. At one time Gov
ernor Crosby had occasion to nominate
sixteen School commissioners, Reform
School commission and number of i'm.
portant county officers to FIJI existing va
cancies. Eighteen Of the nominees pre-.
sented to the council by Governor Crosby
were Wings and twelve were Democrats
In presenting the names to the council,
the governor first submitted the names
of the wings, one by one. and one by
one the hame Of each Wing was rejected
BY the votes OF the four Democratic coun-
cillors, For this act they were applauded
BY the Democratic press of the State,
while Governor Crosby was vigorously as.
sailed for not having sought the "ad-
vice" of the council before making the
nominations. Furthermore, these Dem.
ocratic councillors were so indignant be-
cause Governor Crosby had not first con-
suited them that they prepared, signed,
and caused the following, protest to be
spread upon the records Of the council:
"The undersigned, members Of The Erecn-
tie Council, NOT hdrin9 been consulted BY
the Gorsrnor in relation 10 he Commission
ers recently nominated By him for Office, feel
h uteir duty 10 protest against their appoint
mont thereto"
Particular attention is invited to this
case. The nominations were all made TO
| fill offices which were vacant the Demo-
cratic councillors had exercised their au.
thority by rejecting eighteen nominations
and still they were not content. They
must needs put themselves on record as
protesting against the simple act of NOM
ination without previous conference and
agreement Comment is unnecessary,
except to add that the present council has
never assumed to go so far as TO reprove
Governor Plaisted for not consulting it
before making nominations. 1t comedies
to the governor the full and free exercise
Of his constitutional powers. The records
of the executive council present numerous
instances where councillors subverted
popular government" by rejecting nom
nations. Indeed, during most admins
tra.ions such instances are to be found.
During the Garcelon regime, Col. Robe,
to whose influence and contributions the
establishment Of the Normal School at
Gorham is largely due, was recommended
by leading men in both parties in Cum
berland county for vacant iTrusteeship.
Governor Garcelon nominated him, but
the council rejected the nomination in
derogation of the Constitution" to quote
the Democratic platform.
THE FILLING OF VACANCIES.
Thus far during the term of Governor
Plaisted twelve vacancies of what may be
termed important offices and trusteeships
have occurred by reason Of expirations of
terms of service. Of the twelve, ten
have been filled and two remain vacant.
OF the ten filled, six of the appointees
are Fusionists, two are Republicans, and
two are women-the four latter being Of
the least Importance. Six vacancies have
occurred by the expiration Of the terms
of Municipal Judges in as many Repub-
lican cities. The governor nominated
Fusionists in every instance. -Four Of
those appointed have been confirmed, and
two have been rejected for reasons which
every intelligent man would deem to be
sufficient. But in the cases where the
nominations have been rejected no en-
barrassment in the administration of JUS
tice can result, because Trial Justices
are authorized to act in case of va
eancy.
THE COUNTY OFFICERS.
The ninth resolution of the Demo.
cratic State Convention declares that
"the action of the Council in rejecting
nominations made by the Governor for
numerous county Offices, etc., is subver-
sive of the popular will" The fact that
the Council has confirmed all but seven
of the twenty-five nominees to fill such
vacancies makes it painfully evident
that the Democratic constructor Of plat.
forms has, at least, three pressing needs,
namely, reliable newspaper, reten-
tive memory and power to distinguish
between the truth and the creations Of
an overworked and prevented magma
ton. The facts are these: BY reason
of the change from annual to biennial
elections, the terms of sixteen County
Commissioners, three Sherifs, four