Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1882-08-29
MAINE POLITICS.
TIE ISSUE BETWEEN GOVERNOR
PLAISTED AND THE ENECU-
TIVE COUNCIL.
STATEMENT OF TUE FACTS AND THE
PRECEpCNT>.
MAINE POLITICS.
cor OF the Boston Jouruall
AUGUSTA, Nh, Aug. y

nounced the action Of the Ex
ccu,ivc Council in reference to Hn
Excclleucy's appointments as "odiOus
sabycr>;,c Of popular government and IL
violation Of the Constitution Governor
Pai,,sd in his remarkable letter accept
ing the Democratic portion Of his double
nomination has devoted much space &c
defending his own action and in condemn
ir, that Of the Council. Fusion orators
reserve that vigorous and vituperatlye vo-
ctballrv which has never been mastered
except by the Democratic orators and ed
i.or> for the seven Governors" who, il
the statements of these orators are enti-
tied 10 credence, are many times worse
than the worst and most desperate men
known to ancient and modern history.
n they are to be believed, the members
%. the Council have entered into a con-
so.racy. Of which the purpose TO shake
down our fabric Of popular government
AID 90 bury the whole population OF
Name including Indians not taxed IN
tie ruins. is undoubtedly one Of the most
Innocent Of is manifold plots. language
las no: vet been devised in which TO pro-
perly portray their more complicated dia-
bo,i>ms against their race.
So much tha, Is purely imaginary, 50
much that j. entirely false, and 50 much
that bc,rays both ignorance and malice
has been said and written upon this sub
.so,. tina, iair-miuded people are at loss
90 know what TO believe. As matter
q political history and general informa-
ton. this subjec; should be carefully and
caudidly presented. In any event this
would be important; i, becomes an i'm
rera.ive necessity when Governor Plais-
ted and the leaders Of the combination
which supper; him have announced a
purpose to make the differences referred
90 leading issue in the campaign.
uu FIRST DIFFERENCE.
The differences between Governor
Pai>,yL and the Council began as soon
as lie was qualified. For years /; has
been the custom for the Council to selec;
Messenger by the adoption Of an order
naming tue man, the order being pre-
s.a.ed by some member of the Council.
Major House had served the previous
Council in that capacity, and the present
one desiring 70 continue his services, an
o,i.r 60 tina; cEec; was passed. but Gov
e-nar pl4isted refused to approve it, be-
cause be desired to have his own son en-
p.ycI as Messenger and Private Secre-
,a1y. The Council desired 10 retain
House because he was familiar with the
duties and was a deserving and needy
soldier whose scars are the testimonials
o.. his yalor in the field On the other
hand the Governors son, while worthy
Young man. IS iucapaci,ated by deafness.
Moreover. the Councillors felt a delicacy
a..., Ls,i1, the Governors son 70 wait
upon them as q Messenger, who does MS
duty. should. Details are unnecessary.
Tire Governor was permitted to have his
>-.ar A.s Messenger and Private SccTc-
t4ry, and upon the favorable reports OF
,l. Council he has been allowed to draw
pay while the Councillors have had no
Messenger thing unknown in the his
tory o.; the State And yet at a doletul
ratification meeting at Portland the Chair
man said that 1.-The Council had refused
tie Governor the courtesy Of Private
Secretary" Inasmuch as the LegislA-
'a'e has made 10 provision for such an
officer, the Council could not extend His
Ezeenency that courtesy In striking
contrast with Governor Plaisted's conduct
IN ,ai, matter was that of the Wing Gov
eraor Crosby in 1888. who had COun-
G.. composed Of four Democrats and three
Wings. When that Council met, it pro-
cyed,d to ballot for a Messenger, and
John ID. Richards, Democrat, Of Els
worth, was elected. Subsequently Mr..
Richards resigned and Mr.. Thomes OF
Eden, another Democrat, was elected.
To this action Governor Crosby made no
opposition, thus admitting the right OF
,lc Council to control the reelection OF
Messenger. The records of the Council
In twenty years show uniform custom
OF the selection of Messenger by the action
Of the Councillors. In addition 10 ex-
lending to Governor Plaisted the courtesy
Of employing his own son as his own
Messenger, the Council has given HIM
the benefit of the entire appropriation for
that purpose $1,000 after His Excellen-
'y had absolutely refused to sanction the
omp.oyment of Major House to serve the
Council. Indeed, Governor Plaisted went
50 far as to threaten to remove this
wounded veteran from the ante-rOom