The Portland daily press., 1882-08-02
He Endorsed the Steal.
Plaisted's Concern in the Count Out.
oxford Democrat.)

(OAtord Democral.)
We have opposed and denounced any and
all assaults on the personal character and war
record of Gov. Plaisted, for reasons duly set
forth But his public acts and his political
record are fit subjects for comment, and may
be taken as evidence in regard to the propriety
of electing him Governor at the coming cleo
ton.
The Portland PRESS recently charged that
Gov. Plaisted endorsed and abetted the State
Steal of Governor Garcelon. The Advertiser
replied that Plaisted did not endorse the illegal
action of Governor Garcelon and Council, in
changing the political complexion of the Leg
islature, and called for evidence. The PRESS
responded by publishing the following tele-
gram:
BANGOR, Dec. 23.-we, the undersigned citizens
of Bangor believe that the Governor and Council
of his State, in the inspection Of the returns and
tabulation of the same, which have just been com
peted, have acted in compliance with the Constitu-
ton nd the laws, and we will sustain them and
the constituted authorities of the State to any ex-
tent and at all lazarus.
Sisgned by H. M. Plaisted and twenty-seyen 9TH
ers.
This is satisfactory evidence to any and all
who are aware of the magnitude OF that trans
action and the infamous depths of rascality to
which its perpetrators descended. A judicial
and impartial citizen, who holds an important
position in Maine and who has the confidence
of our people, stated that "never was band of
counterfeiters engaged in a more unlawful
conspiracy than that planned by Governor
Garcelon and his Council when they arranged
to overthrow and set aside the result of the
September election Of 1879" This gentleman
who knows more of the legal bearings of that
transaction than most voters, and judging Gifts
bearings from the pretended excuse made by
the Council-that they "acted according to
law''-h he made this unqualified statement
Those who witnessed the outrageous pro-
ceedings called "organiZing the Legislature"
can but appreciate the justice OF that criticism.
There was an evident purpose to carry their
point, with law or without law, and but for
the wise counsels which prevailed, a riot would
have ensued, with results which could not be
foretold. Any man who took part III that at
tempt to override tho laws and set aside the
result of a fair and free ballot is unworthy of
political support in Maine. Any man who en-
dorsed the false count and its results, is equal
ly guilty and unworthy OF confidence. This
telegram places Governor Plaisted in tho lat
ter category.
The Advertiser does not deny the authenti-
city of the telegram, but says there was dam
ger of an armed conflict in Maine; and that
Plaisted agreed, with Others to support the
Governor against forcible opposition. II that
was Plaisted's position he was no patri OF. He
did not appreciate the blessings of free govern
ment, and he showed such a lack of courage in
facing wrong, that he is not worthy of the
high position of honor and trust which he now
fills. The man who could calmly pledge him
self to support Garcelon and the Council in
their revolutionary conduct,ewhen the hand OF
an outraged public was about to be laid upon
them, lacks the first elements of a governor.
He should, like the revolutionary fathers.
have been ready to cruch tyranny and fraud,
and his experience at the front. in our civil
war, should have beensmade terror to deter
those reckless men from their wicked purpose.
The solemn disapproval of few such men as
Governor Plaisted would have prevented the
outrage which has blotted the fair name of
Maine.
But Governor Plaisted has gone further than
the simple signing of that telegram in his in
dorsement of the State Steal. By a decision
of the Supreme Court of Maine,an armed con-
f1ict which Plasted-as the Advertiser says
dreaded, was averted, and the legally elected
members organized the Legislature. One year
thereafter, Gen. Plaisted was elected Governor
by a small plurality of votes. In his inaugu-
raj he used the following language, which is
capable of only oneinterpretation:
Tie provision of eur constitution which permits
the Executive Legislature to call upon the Court
on any occasion, solemn or otherwise for its opin-
ion seems to wrong in principle as dangerous in
practice. Under this provision questions refer
red to the Court not for decision only for opinions
which the Executive or Legislature may take for
what they worth, follow them or disregard tnem
at will, as has sometimes happened in our history.
AS the Court has not the responsibility of deciding
such questions its opinions partake OF the character
of opinions generally. We all know how cheap our
opinions are, when we are not responsible for them
He thus went out of hissway to rebuke the
Court for their opinion given the year before,
and to practically declare that he should not
be guided by any opinions rendered Ey that
body, unless they met his approval. We say,
therefore, that he is dangerous man to trust
with power. Our threshold government is
thus tersely described:
"The government under the Constitution COM
prises three distinct and independent branches viz:
the Legislative the Judicial and the Executive.
Laws are enacted by the first interpreted by the
second and enforced by the third.
The whole duty Of the executive department
is to enforce the laws. II there is anysquestion
as to the meaning CT law, the Court should
interpret it. II there is any conflict of opinion
in regard to a law among State officials, the
Court alone should be asked to settle the dis
pute. When the Governor or executive de-
gsrous step has been taken. Yet such step
Gov. Plasted practically declares he shall
take If he sees it. We do not select Governors
for their legal knowledge and attainments; in
fact, many OF our Governors have had little
legal knowledge. If 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 rehuke to our Supreme
Court was intended His further
conduct shows that plainly. At the expira-
tion of Judge Libbey's term of Office, contrary
to all precedent contrary to the almost unaui-
nous wish of the bar of Maine, Gov. Plaisted
endeavored to put a new man ON the bench in
his place. he persisted in this course, declined
to listen to the petitions sent from every sec
tion of the State, and to-day the judgeshIp is
vacant because, rather than appoint Mr.. Lib
hey, and thus be deprived of an opportunity to
rebuke the court, he preferred to allow the le-
gal affairs of Maine to suffer.
We can but conclude, from the evidence
found in the above quoted telegram, from
Gov. Plaisted's inaugural and from ais con-
duct toward the Court and particularly in his
refusal to reappoint Judge Libbey, that Gov.
Plaisted did endorse the action of Gov. Garce-
lon in classifying the returns and in changing
the political complexion of the Legislature.
Therefore he is neither fit man nor a safe
man to be trusted with the State government.
We hope all Republicans and other friends OF
good government will vote SO that there may
be an overwhelming majority against the fu-
sion party, with 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 opin-
ions of the Supreme Court of Maine, if he sees