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

good faith by his supporters, and by other
fraudulent devices set out In particular In
his notice OF contest, seeming majority
was secured BY Mr.. Chalmers In defiance
OF Justice and public law, In mockery OF the
hackueyed words so free ballot and fair
count"
This case is precisely similar to one
which occurred in Maine under the last
Democratic administration. In making
their CONSTITUTIONAL and legal count,
in the fall Of 1879, Gov. Garcelon and
Council found the Republican vote OF
Skowhegan had been cast on ballot
wide and short, instead of long and mar
row. The names Of candidates were put
in two columns instead Of one. Here Is
a good description of the ballot and an
account of the case given by the fusion
lists. in their pamphlet replying to the
report of the Hale Committee
Attached to the representative returns
from the town of Skowhegan, there was
statement signed by the selectmen, that
certain number of ballots were protested
as being illegal under section %, chapter
{, OF the revised statutes; one OF the bal
lots objected to was attached to the re-
turns. The statement signed by the Sc
lectmen shows how many of such ballots
were thrown. The ballots consisted OF
two leaves, made by folding long piece
of paper, making q book of two leaves.
The names OF one half OF the candidates
were printed on the inside OF the first leaf
and the balance OF the names were printed
on the inside OF the second leaf
The Governor and Council were OF the
opinion that 1t was an illegal ballot, and
the only question was whether IL was their
duty under the law to reject IL.
In the Skowhegan case not only did the
character OF the ballots appear upon the
face of the returns" themselves, but the
selectmen in their written statement, signed
by themselves, and attached TO the returns
say that the specified number
Of ballots were thrown under protest and
that they make their returns subject to the
conclusion OF the Governor and Council,
as 10 whether the ballots were legal or
otherwise. The Governor and Council,
believing the ballots 10 be illegal and got
ten up for an improper purpose, rejected
in the canvass the number of ballots spec
fled. A majority OF the balance OF the
votes thrown in the two towns composing
the district being for Daniel Snow, he re-
ceived the certificate OF election.
The singular part Of these two cases is
that in both of them the defects were
made by Republicans, and that in recti-
fying the same, Democrats were given
positions to which Republicans had been
elected. Thus it always is, both North
and South, the good old Constitutional
party" uses the Constitution and laws as
l shield for its rascally proceedings. 1t
thinks that by hiding behind the Consti-
luton and the laws, it may deceive the
people as TO its motives and methods.
But the day for such deception has
passed. People Judge of acts by their
results The plea Of justification by the
Constitution and laws" has lost its
force, when results are attained contrary
70 the expressed wish Of the majority.
/; may be well to remember also that
he present fusion candidate for Governor
the Skowhegan count-out. by
signing the following telegram to Gov.
iarcelon:
BANGOR. Dec. 20. We, the undersigned,
citizens OF Bangor, believe that the Gov
.rnor and Council of this State, in the in
'pection OF the returns and tabulation OF
he same, which have just been completed,
nave acted In compliance with the Consu-
ution and the laws, and We will sustain
hem and the constituted authorities OF
he State. 20 any extent, and at all hazards.
Signed by II. NJ. PLAISTED and twenty
,even others.