Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1882-08-01

only for opinions which the Executive or
Legislature may take for what they are
worth, follow them or disregard them at
will, as has sometimes happened in our
history. As the Court has not the respon-
sibility OF deciding such questions; It's
opinions partake OF the character OF opin-
ions generally. We all know how cheap
our opinions are, when we are not respon-
siole for them.
He thus went out OF his way to rebuke
the Court for its opinion given the year
before, and to practically declare that he
should not be guided by any opinions rem
dered by that body, unless they met his APP
proval. We say, therefore, that he Is a
dangerous man to trust with power. Our
three-fold government is thus tersely de-
scribed:
"The Government under the Constitu-
ton comprises three distinct and indepen-
dent branches, viz; the Legislative, the
Judicial and the Executive. Laws are en-
acted by the first, interpreted by the Sec
ond, and enforced by the third"
The whole duty of the executive depart
ment is TO enforce the laws. II there Is
any question as to the meaning OF law,
the Court should interpret 1t. If there is
any conflict of opinion in regard to law
among State officials, the Court alone
should be asked to settle the dispute.
When the Governor or executive depart
ment assumes to interpret the laws, dan.
gerous step has been taken. Yet such
step Gov. Plaisted practically declares he
shall take If he sees 1T. We do not select
Governors for their legal knowledge and
attsinments; in fact, many OF our Govern
ors have had little legal knowledge. II
such men are to interpret the laws, and
set the opinions of the Court at defiance,
there is no safety for life or property In
Maine Gov. Plaisted intended his inaug-
ural TO convey the impression naturally
carried BY its words. The rebuke to our
Supreme Court was intended. His further
conduc, shows that plainly. At the expir-
alton of Judge Libby's term OF office, con-
trary TO all precedent, contrary TO the al
most unanimous wish OF the bar of Maine,
Gov. PlAisted endeavored TO put new
man on the bench in his place. He per-
sisted il this course, declined 10 listen to
the petitions sent from every section or
the STATE, and today the Judgeship is va
cant because, rather than appoint Mr.. Lib
by. and thus be deprived OF an opportun-
ity TO rebuke the Court, he preferred to al
low the legal affairs of Maine to suffer.
We can but conclude, from the evidence
found in the above quoted telegram, from
Gov. Plsisted's inaugural, and from his
conduct toward the Court and particularly
in his refusal to reappoint Judge Libby,
that Gov. Plaisted did endorse the action
of Gov. ,iarcelon in classifying the returns
and in changing the political complexion
of the lie ,islature. Therefore he is neither
a ft man nor 4 safe man to DC trusted with
the State Government. We hope all Re-
publicana aud other friends Of good gov
erument will vote so that there may be an
overwhe ming msjority against the fusion
party. W IN Plaisted at its head, and thus
leave him no opportunity to exercise that
Judgment of his, in canvassing the returns,
which he declares he will set above the
opinions Of the Supreme Court OF Maine,
if he sees dit.