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

CHER or to recognize his work. The
Council were exceedingly DESTROYS to re-
tain Mr.. Gallagher, but in order to avoid
suspension OF the payment of the much
needed pensions they agreed to propo-
sition made by the Governor to place the
matter temporarily in the hands of the
Secretary of State. As the result of this
petty interference the clerical work is
performed at disadvantage by an mex
perienced clerk. Had the Council been
as tenacious of its rights as the Governor
was Of his assumptions, the pensioners of
Maine would have been without their
pensions for the year 1882.
A FALSE CHARGE.
The Governors organs assert daily
that the Council constantly takes pains
to show It's contempt for that official. and
has lost no opportunity to interfere with
the proper conduct of the public service.
The charge is false. The Council on the
contrary has treated Gov. Plaisted with
personal courtesy. 1t has never failed
TO consult his convenience relative to the
time and manner ofperforming certain du-
ties. 1t has simply resisted his encroach'
mentS when II was necessary, and IN
many things has yielded rights establish
Cd BY custom in order to prevent cOntuS-
ion in public business. Indeed It has
gone beyond ordinary courtesy IN allowing
bills presented by him for the comPensa-
ton of members Of his somewhat numer-
Gus military staff. not only when on ac-
tual duty, but, when they have attended
His Excelency on occasions of receptions
and balls. Republican Governors have
not been accustomed to present such bills
for payment, but there is no accounting
for the peculiar manifestations of Fusion
economy, which must be so gratifying TO
the plain people.
CONCLUSION.
The cases above noticed cover all the
charges which Gov. Plaisteds friends
have made against the executive Council,
They are matters Of record, and this
statement Of each case IS sustained by
that record. These facts show that the
Council Is not guilty Of any attempt to
interfere with the prerogatives Of the
governor, of any violation Of the Consti
tuition or Of any discouriesy toward that
official. On the other hand they do show
that the Council has constantly yielded
power conferred upon i, by the Constitu
ton and established by long line Of
pyecedentS. Candid people viii see that
the charges Of the Plaisted conventions
and organs and the complaints set forth
in His Excellency's recent jeremiad are
groundless and frivolous, and that his al
tempt either to play the role Of a martyr
would be pitiful If II were not a con-
temptible failure.
Not so with Gov. Plais,ed He has
shown himself trifing, captious, exas-
perating and arbitrary in his treatmen,
Of the Council; he has denied that
body rights which is predecessors have
always enjoyed he has denied its nigh;
20 meet and adjourn in defiance of pre-
cedent and law; he usurPed the func-
lions Of the Council, bv attempting 20 re-
move officers without - consent he
has given 20 the Constitution the most
forced and unnatural construction in or
der TO Justify his high handed proceed
ings - Interpretation which no other
Governor excep, Garce,on has ever been
forced to put upon laws and constitutions.
Nor DO his inconsistencies and reckless
disregard Of laws, popular opinion and
coordinate branches O. the State Cow
eminent end with the Council He has
ignored the popular sentiment of the PEG
pie by driving from place wounded sol
der, in order to provide for his own son.
he has time and again, ignored the pop
ular preference for Official appointments
IN his own party 10y paving 10 heed TO
petitions; be has permitted $4,000 ma
tured State debt to remain unpaid nearly
q year in order 20 maintain his conStrUc-
ton Of the Constitution, which makes the
Council puppet Of the Governor he is
in contempt Of the supreme Court TO day
for treating an officer as removed which
that tribunal declares he has no author
ity to remove he mas asSailed the indie
pendence Of the Judiciary by refusing to
reappoint an able and upright Judge for
no other cause than that his opinions
have not sustained His Excellency and
his friends in their unconstitutional and
lawless designs, In shor, he has per
mitted neither constitution, law, proceed
ent, nor coordinate branch Of the Gov
eminent to stand in the way of his am
bilious purpose. In view of his exer-
else Of the one-man power, one may ex-
claim with CassiuS:
Upon what meat doth this our Cesar feed
That he has grown 30 great"
POLITICS DOWN EAST.