The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1885-11-18

The article from the Bangor Wing pub
lished elsewhere, protesting against the con-
frmation of Collector Chase, undoubtedly
voices the substantially unanimous senti-
ment of the Republicans of Maine and the
sentiment of not few Democrats as we'll
Capt. Chase must have been familiar with
every step in the conspiracy against popular
government which was Matched in the coun-
ell chamber at Augusta in the winter of 1879,
for not only was he member of the council,
but also of the committee of the council that
tabulated the returns. Whatever prominence
he enjoys in the politics of Maine had its
origin in his connection with that conspiracy,
and it is substantially true that his appoint
ment to the collectorship of internal revenue
of this district, though not intended as such
by the President, is really reward for the
part he played in that disgraceful business.
Time has somewhat obliterated the recollec-
ton of the details of that conspiracy, but
the facts are preserved in the report of the
committee of the Legislature that investi-
gated it, and now that one of the chief con-
spirators is asking Republican Senators to
endorse him for one of the most important
Federal Offices in Maine it is well to recall
them. We accordingly quote the summing
up of the committee of the Legislature,
which is as follows:
Your Committee present to the Legislature all
the testimony which has been taken up to the
present time, and ask that it may be printed, as
well as this report.
The testimony in the judgment of your Commit
mfeses, tHstifes the following conclusions:
The returns from the cities towns and planta-
lions 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 times as the returns were so kept
many alterations, eraSures and forgeries were
made upon them for the purpose of changing the
result; and in all cases which have been discoy-
cred, such improper treatment of the returns
resulted against Republican candidates and in
favor of the Fusion candidates.
During the same time, from information which
must in nearly all cases have come fromlthe Off
Gals who were examining and tabnlating the re-
turns or who had the custody of them, defects in
Fusion towns were being cured by substituting
new and correct returns or by afidavts taken ex
parte for the purpose of curing such defects. In
addition to this, and by reason of information fur
nished in the manner stated affidavits were being
taken and cases were gotten up for the purpose of
throwing out Republican towns.
In all cases affected by such causes the results
invariably counted out Republican candidates and
counted IN Fusion candidates. and this to the ex-
tent that the majority in each house of the Legs-
latnre was Illegally changed from the Republican
side to the Fusion side.
In reaching this result the Governor and Coun-
Gil refused to allow Republican errors in the re-
turns to be corrected by the records, although
such correction was offered repeatedly by Repub-
lican candidates or their counsel
The different rules of law laid down by the Gov
ernor and Council as their guide in tabulating the
returns, and IN certifcating from such tabuatious
were applied IN different ways, as they were en-
forced where they would throw out a Republican
candidate, but not enforced where they would
throw out a Fusion candidate.
Many OF these rules were contrary to law and
must have been made solely for the purpose Of Sc
curing 2 Fusion quorum in each branch of the
Legislature.
The illegal and fraudulent acts before referred
to were a part Of premedtated plan. and the
conspiracy, the object of which was to secure a
quorum of Fusion members in each branch of the
Legislature, embraced the members of the ExeeII-
tive Council, and the Governor of the State must
have been in some degree, in completely with
them.
Both Governor and Council must then be held
accountable for the fraudulent practices under
which the election returns were changed so that
the will of the people was set aside and illegal GER
tI1cateS issued to Senators and Representatives
In sufficient numbers to change the political com
plexion of both branches of the Legislature.
This report was signed by Andrew Halves
and Austin Harris on the part of the Senate
and Eugene Hale, A. A. Strout Chas. v
Lord, G. G. Sturgis and Silas w. Cook on
the part of the House.