Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-05-26
8ailQ ytriubtf 5onrnal.



call tor the democratic State convention 10
- follows: Elections BY the people, free
sfrom fraud. force. or bribery" So runs
the call under which the democracy arr
invited BY their State Committee to assem-
BILE 1t Lewiston. on the 9th OF June next.
to nominate candidate for Governor and
four candidates for Congress.
II this declaration Of the dem ,cracy ia
be taken as a new departure by them in
favor Of honest elections. or Is it grim
joke of Cap'n Chase. one Of the Garcelon
Tabulators. who figures as a prominent
member of the democratic State commit
tee J? If it be an honest declaration. to b.
honestly adhered tn. there must be an as
tonishing change in the methods of DEM
ocrats in conducting elections. and Gov.
Plaisted and the candidates for Congress
sional honors are badly beaten before the
campaign opens. Elections ''free from
fraud ~ so reads the democratic call. but
what is the practice Of that party in re-
gard TO elections?
It Is patent to all intelligent persons
that but for fraudulent elections there
would scarcely be any democratic party.
It depends for its existence upon tissue
ballots, false returns, fraudulent counting.
intimidation and bulldozing. BY these
means 1t holds possession Of most Of the
Southern States, where resides the infiu-
ence which controls the party. With hon.
est elections the South would be as strong
ly republican as the North is. The dem
ocratc majority in the national House and
Senate for several years past was fraud
ulent majority. achieved by fraud at the
elections. An honest vote and an honest
count at the polls would have kept enough
democrats out of Congress in those years
to have given the republicans handsome
majority.
But there is no need of going South for
examples of democratic fraud in connec-
ton with elections. The history of our
own State in 1879 and 1880 presents such
an outrage upon free suffrage and the
common rights of the people. by the dem
ocratic leaders. as will long be remem-
bered and often quoted as an instance of
political depravity such as ought to con-
sign those engaged in it to everlasting
infamy. In the report of the Joint Select
Committee to investigate the doings of
Gov. Garcelon and Council the conclusion.
are rs follows:
This testimony in the judgment of your
Committee, Justifes the following con-
illusions -
The returns from the cities, towns and
plantations In the State were, contrary to
usage, kept by the Governor and Council
from all inspection or scrutiny by candidates.
their counsel or any parties legitimately
interested in them.
During such time as the returns were so
kept, many alterations, erssures and forgeries
were made upon them, for the purpose Of
changing the result; and in all cases which
have been discovered, such improper treat
ment Of the returns resulted against Re-
publican candidates, and in favor of the
Fusion candidates.
During the same time, from information
which must in nearly all cases have come
from the officials who were examining and
tsoe'a''hs tne returns OF VINO had the custody
vi u"e'' ue,ee,s ~ "sio" towns we're oeihg
cuIeu pv substituting new ana correct returns
oy amua'"s hsen A'ps''e lot Tue purpose
ot curing such aeiee's' In aadinon 10 this'
Ani py reason OF iniorma'ion iurnished IN the
manner stated amua'1s we're oeing taken
anu cases were gouen up ior 'he purpose OF
'h,o"Ime OUT Hepuonca" towns
In an cases aHeeted oy sueh causes the
resu,.s INVARIABLY coun,eu OUT hepupiicah
csnd'aates' ana TINS 10 the extent that the
majority IN each rouse OF the Legislature
was Illegally changed from the Republican
side TO the Fusion SIDE.
In resch.ns TINS result tne governor ana
in the returns to b. corrected bv the record.
although such correction Was offered repeated
ly by Republican candidates or their counsel.
ne u,nere" r su,ss .. '.r ;s'u uS~a os .ne
latiug the returns. and in certiacating from
such fluctuations. were applied In different
~"y,a H." my ,u, p.rrh,;n.r o,ra;d.,, 'h h,,
not enforced where thew would throw ont q
Fusion candidate.
.ns n" =, .ns' s rues "s'e sJn ea, 70
pose Of securing a Fusion quorum in each
branch Of the legislature.