Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-08-22
Heonian Hall Crowded with an En-
thusiastic Audience.
Convining Speech by Congressman Dingley
on State and National Topics.
Ringing Remarks by Capt. C. A. Boutelle
ON the Issues Of the Hour,

A"eiS "cIc many Idolee IN t0e
audience. The Augusta Band, stationed in
the west gallery, from time to time discoursed
music. 1t was an intelligent, attentive, en-
thusiastic audience; and the earnest, wide
awake faces of the men were happy augury
of republican success at the polls, Septem-
Der llth. Judge Samuel Titcomb presided,
and introduced the first speaker, Hon. Mel
son Dingley, Jr., of Lewiston. who was re-
ceived with great applause he stepped
forward and began his address. Mr..
Dingley spoke over an hour. holding
the closest attention of his listeners.
In clear, convincing, direct way the speak
er discussed the great political and economic
questions of the hour, defending the policy
of the republican party and exposing the fall
lacies of its opponents. His points were
well made and loudly cheered. His de-
fence of the upright. democratic Judge Lib
hey, and of an independent anti-partisan jul
dietary, elected warm and hearty applause.
Below is synopsis of the
SPEECH OF CONGRESSMAN DINGLEY.
The election which takes place in this State
two weeks from next Monday is one of great
Importance. A governor is to be chosen to
serve two years from the first Wednesday of
January next; a legislature which will elect
council to advise the governor; a United
States Senator for six years from the fourth
of March next; four representatives to Con-
gress, and nearly all the county officers in
nearly every county in the State.
The issue presented in the gubernatorial
election, stripped of all verbiage, is primarily
whether Judge Libbey shall be dropped from
the Supreme Court, and thereby punished for
giving an independent and conscientious
opinion affecting the legality of the counting
out operations in lS79--S0. Practically. how
ever, the issue goes much further than Judge
Libbay. 1t raises the important question
whether the supreme Court shall continue
to be the independent, non partisan expounder
of the constitution and interpreter of the
laws which it has been in the past, and which
has made it the cOnservatOr of law and order
and the guardianof liberty.
1t was a recognition of the vital Importance
of an independent and non-partisan judiciary
"A court of last resort, so constituted as to
secure the confidence of all parties that led
me when governor of this State to the con-
clusion that one of the ablest. purest and
best men whom could find in the democratic
ranks should fill the vacancy in the Supreme
Bench caused by the voluntary retirement OF
Judge Cutting On consultation with lead
ing demOcrats-such as +. +. Pillsbury and
others, found that the democrats of Maine
turned with singular unanmity to MIR. Libbey
as the man in their ranks admirably fitted
for this high position. Although there were
many eminent republicans who would have
honored the bench, vet there was general
feeling in the republican party that the SUI
preme Court was that department of govern
ment whose independence and non-partisan-
ship should be maintained not only IN fact,
but also in appearance; that for tins reason
so able, so pure, SO worthy democrat as MIR.
Libbey should be made an Associate Justice
He was appointed to the bench. and up to
this hour man has dared to suggest that
he has not proved to be the able, the upright,
the pure, the acceptable judge which l an
ticipated he would prove to be. So able and
acceptable has he proved that the bar OF
Maine, with wonderful unanimity, democrats
as we'll as republicans, have asked that he be
continued in a position which he has honored.
Yet in spite of the well nigh unanimous voice
of the bar and the people, Governor Plals-
ted determined to drop Judge l-ibbey; and
the Council declined to concur. The Gov
ernor has appealed to the people to re-elect
him on this issue
What makes this attempt to drop Judge
Lbbey so serious a step Is the well under
stood fact that he is to be set aside and
punished because of the able, candid and
conscientious opinions, which he and other
justices of the Supreme court gave on the
counting out proceedings in 1879 80. when
called upon by Gov. Garceion, in the manner
prescribed by the constitution. What IN
creases the danger is the conviction that 1t IL
Gov Plaisted's purpose. If reelected, to
drop, for the same cause, four other Justices
of the Supreme Court, whose terms will ex-
pire during the next two years; and thus &c
secure the control of the majority Of the Su
preme Court of Maine, and reward his par
tisans.
/, Gov. Plaisted is reelected to do this. ar
independent bipartisan judiciary VIII,
fear cease to exist in Maine; and there viii
no no department of government to which
the people of all parties can look for the so
luton of difference arising from conflicting
xiews of the constitution and laws-nobody
whose voice can still the conflict of parties
preserve the equal rights Of all, and perhaps
avert bioodshed, as did the Supreme Cour'
of Maine in 1879 so.
7 do not. thel efore, overestimate the i'm
portance of the issue raised by Gov flals
ted. To vote for him is to vote to drop the
able, upright and honored Judge Liooey
from the Supreme Court. and therefore 10
announce 10 every Juu&S eh~s nS ..'~~, $3.50
his conscience and judgment and give parti'
san opinions, if he would remain on the
bench. To vote for Col. ROBBIE is to vote to
retain Judge Libbey. and the other aoie
Judges of the Supreme Court, and thereby
to announce to every judge that he will be
sustained in giving opinions which meet the
approval of his Judgment and conscience.
Governor Dingley then passed to the ma
tiopal issues involved in the election OF
Legislature which is to choose a United
states Senator, and in the election OF four
Representatives to Congress, which may de-
eide the political character OF the Forty,
Eighth Congress, and determine the national
policy for two years from the fourth OF March
next.
honorable and worthy parties, he said, are
supposed to be organized to carry out avoweo
| principles. The candidates which they put
IN nomination are supposed to represent those
principles. Voters are invited to support
| them on the ground that such principles are
wiser and better for the public interests Nc
| one doubts that in voting for the republican
| candidates he is voting indirectly for
| limited States Senator and four Representa-
| tiyes to Congress who will carry out the
principles and policy epunciated by the
Il Al AaeAa att rI