Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-08-28
Answer of the Executive Council
to the Public Attacks of Govern
or Plaisted.

To the People of Name:
The two State conventions which have re-
Gently put Governor Plaisted in nomination
for a reelection. have each seen fit 10 put in
their respective platforms a resolution aprov-
ing his action and condemning that of the Ex-
ecutive Council, in their official relations with
each other.
His Excellency, in his recent letter of ac-
ceptance of his nomination by the democratic
convention has seen fit to follow up this at
tack with specific charges against his Coun-
ell.
When Governor Plaisted was inaugurated
the various offices in the State were filled !;
mostly by republicans. but some by members
of other political parties. Their commissions
generally run for -four years unless sooner
removed by the Governor and Council for the
time being" The constitution and statutes
so fixed their tenure. The concurrent action
of both the Governor and the Council would
be therefore, necessary to make q removal.
He represented one political party at least, the
Council another. 1t was instantly seen that
no removals could be made on political
grounds unless the Governor would consent
to strike down his friends or the Council
theirs. That could not be expected of either.
Hence the Council adopted rule of action,
that no removals should be made on political
grounds merely. If other reasons were as
signed they would hear and act on them. 1t
was so stated at their board. and in the pa
pers of the State. 1t was so well understood
by the Governor.
Entering upon official life together, in
their new relations. with this field thus open
before them. the Governor at once COM
menced making nominations to remove re-
publicans from office, by putting his political
friends in. occasionally, however. nominating
one republican to remove another. A nomi-
nation is first written by the Governor upon
a nomination book, and after having been
made seven days, is submitted by him to the
Council, for their vote, by yeas and nays.
the Secretary of State, who is made BY the
constitution the Secretary of the Governor
and Council, calling the roll and recording
the vote. A nomination so made and acted
upon is finally disposed of unless, under
the Rules and Orders of the Executive De-
partment, a reconsideration is moved within
the first three days of their next session. If
rejected by the Council, and no recon-
sideration is. moved, it would be difficult to
conceive of any proper motive, looking to
the public interest. or desire to preserve
respectful relations with the Council, for re-
newing the same nomination, or of one for
removing the same officer. And vet the
Governor adopted this rule of action. In
making some thirty or forty nominations, to
remove men from Office whose commissions
were in full force. the following facts, as
collected from the records of the department,
will show the course of the Governor of a
State toward coordinate branch of the
Executive Department, entitled to the same
courtesy at his hands that he is at theirs.
To remove Chas. "A. Bailey, as Agent of the
Penobscot tribe of Indians, he nominated
Feb. 9, 1881, Henry A. Pratt; March 9, 1881,
Ora S. Pease; Dec. 90, 1881, Edwin C.
Brown. To remove Henry g. Osgood as in
spector of the State Prison, he nominated
Feb 2. 1881, Edward Cushing. March 2,
Spencer Rogers, March 10, Edward Gushing,
Dudley G. Bean. Withdrawn Dec. 20, J. X.
Mason, Feb.-2. 1882. same.
To remove J. II. Manley. as a Trustee of
the Insane Hospital, he nominated Feb. 9,
1881, Nathaniel Butler, Feb. l6, NJ. v. b.
Chase, March ;, Nelson Dingley, Jr., with
drawn April II, Israel Il. Dana, June 2. same
To remove J. w. Porter, as one of the In
spectOrs of the State Prison, he nominated
Feb. 2 1881. Edward Gushing, March 2, Spen
Ger Rogers, March 10. same.
To remove J. W. Spaulding, as Reporter of
Decisions of the Supreme Judicial Court, he
nominated Feb. l6, 1881, d. r. Hastings,
March 10, Bertram L. Smith, Sept. 2, ID. r.
Hastings,
In effect to remove II. o. Stanley, as Fish
the law providing for one or
two commissioners. as the Governor andCoun-
Gil should determine, and no determination of
that question having been asked for or had,
he nominated Feb. 9. 1881. Everett w.
Smith, Feb. I6, f. NJ. Stillwell, Feb. 16,
Everett w. Smith, March 2, same, June 3,
same, Nov. l6. same. Jan. ), 1882. same.
To remove X. l.. Grindlc, Trustee of the
Reform School. he nominated. June 2, 1881,
William T.. Godld, Jan. ), 1882, Albion Lit
tie.
To remove f. A. Thompson as Trustee of
the Reform School, just elected Treasurer of
the Board and whose official bond had just
been approved bv the Governor and Council,
he nominated June 2, 1881, Albion Little,
making two nominations of Mr. Little to re-
move other men, while to fill Mr.. Little's
own vacancy. he nominated May 4. 1881.
Daniel W. True, June 2. 1881, same, Sept.
2. 1881, same, Nov. l6, 1881, same. Jan. 5,
1882, same.
One could hardly refrain from asking if
Mr.. Little were so well qualified to fill other
mems places in the board, why he could not
be reappointed to fill his own. Now at the
date of his first nomination, submitted tor
purposes of removal, whatever the political
of the man nominated he knew, as
all the people of the State knew, the Council
stood committed to the rule that no removals
should be made but for cause. And no charge
Of any kind was ever suggested against any
of these officers sought to be removed. Every
subsequent nomination. original or repeated.
was made with that full knowledge On the
part of the Governor. Why were they made
arI al md IN t1,z