Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-12-12
An Astounding Proceeding.

having recount at Augusta They
had supposed that this matter had
been settled to the satisfaction of
everybody by the result Of the count
Of the joint Republican and Democrat
ic committee which performed this
work thoroughly. conscientiously, and
we have no doubt, efficiently, immedi-
ately after the State election. 1t will
be recalled that the creation of
this joint committee composed of Re-
publican and Democratic candidates on
their respective county tickets, was the
result of direct proposal of the DEM
ocratic leaders in Kennebec county, and
it was natural to assume that they
and the members of their party would
accept in good faith the results of its
labors. 1t will be recalled that soon
after the election the Democratic mana
gers complained very bitterly to the
chairman of the Republican county
committee and other Republican lead
ers that certain Republican candidate
had examined the ballots, as he was
entitled to do by law, in his own city
and in several neighboring towns.
They said that they were perfectly
willing even anxious to have a recount
but they submitted that it should be
made by a joint committee of Repub-
NJ NJ &c x1,ax oil
ties interested would be willing to abide
by the result of it's labors. The Re-
publicans leaders cheerfully acquiesced
in this request of the Democratic man.
ayers, being entirely willing to meet
them in the broadcast spirit of fair
play. with the result that a committee,
as VIC have said composed of leading
candidates from the Democratic and
Republican tickets, was constituted
and took up this work
There is no escaping the fact that
there was at least tacit understand
ing that both political parties should
accept in good faith the result of the
Ia bors of this canvassing board, which
represented both political parties, which
was composed of gentlemen whose in
tegrity and efficiency no man could
question. So far as the Republican par
ty was concerned this was the case. Its
managers accepted the joint report of
this non-partisan committee. They be-
lieved it to be fair, honest, and ac-
curate. They cheerfully abided by il
as they would have done even had its
conclusions been contrary to what they
were.
In the face Of this emnently fair AMI
!non-partisan count the action of MIR.
Reardon at this late day is certainly
surprising. We know of no reason
why. if Mr.. Reardon were disposed to
have questioned the honesty and ef-
ficiency of the joint committee which
investigated this matter Immediately
after the election. he could not have
gone personally with them and seen to
his own satisfaction that their labors
were governed by a spirit of fairness
and a desire to ascertain the exact
facts pertaining to the ballots. Fail
ing to exercise this privilege his ap-
pearance at this late hour is certainly
astounding and comes with a decided
ly poor grace. 1t is not only reflection
La
joint committee, but it is also a re-
Election upon his own associates on the
Democratic county ticket, who served
upon it, who were men of high charac-
ter and certainly entitled to the same
measure of confidence from q party
colleague that was chcerfully accorded
| them by the members Of the opposing
party.
1t is also astounding that the
Democratic managers who We're So
vOciferous in their demands for a nom
partisan canvassing board, and a..
whose suggestion the joint committee
| undertook this work. should be at this
| late day parties to the attempt of Mr.
RcardOn to discredit and disparage the
| findings of that committee They were
under the same moral obligation as
was the Republican organization to ac-
cept in good faith the joint report of
these eminent Republicans and Demo-
Gratis who performed this important
service, and yet the report of the re-
count at City hall shows that they,
too. have repudiated the work of the
committee which was formed at their
own insistent request. At the re-coun.
in Augusta we find present such PROM
| inent Democrats as DR.. Jones of Wa
terville. chairman of the Democratic
State committee, County Attorney :
elect Fred Emery Beane of Hallowell,
Sherifr-elect F. w. Plaisted of Augusta,
and Democratic City Clerk Joseph Will
hanson of the same city. If we re-
call distinctly some, if not all of these
eminent gentlemen. were among the