Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-08-06
ANSWERS CRITICISM

Declaring that there is no law SOW
crniug the present situation and that
the procedure to be adopted in check :
ing the Ward -Four vote in Portland
in the recent primary election Is
strictly in accordance with the opin-
ion of the majority of our supreme
court justices, Governor Baxter issu-
eel n statement on Tuesday in reply
to nm article in n Portland ncwspa-
per
The newspaper statement says that
The executive is therefor acting under
the law continued Gov. Baxter.
AS matter of fact. there is no
law governing the present situation.
The executive, meaning tho governor
ana council. sought the advice OF the
supreme court justices and that ad-
vice Is being followed. even though
the opinion Of the justices themselves
was divided four to three.
This newspaper also speaks Of our
proceeding with the investigation
We are not to investigate the fraud
that already il being done by tho at
torncy generals department. All Wa
! are ublo to do Is to Cncck the vote
| of Ward Four.
Il want 1t understood That tho gov
! crnor and council are not nctinE on
| their own initiative, but are following
| the opinion of four of the JuPtiCes. 1t
! ig true that some voters may not he
l able to como TO city Wall, Portland.
ON Wednesday aud Thursday and II
! so. they will not he able 10 testify and
I help us, no provision being made for
! the taking Of testimony In such cases.
/ The voters who come a'c rendering n
! public service in aiding us 10 check
/ tho votes that wCCr east, This IL
! not n second election; It ia In the ma
/ turc of court proceedings. to takn
! testimony in any attempt 10 find out
! the truth.
! This newspaper Fpoaks of the
| secrecy Of the ballot and ] admit nm
apparent but not an actual inCon-
! sistouCy between the s.. Agatha sit
, Uatiou where the voters were dis
| franrhisod because they ala not vote
! I'm booths, and Ward foIr whore they
! are 10 he given the opportunity to
! testify I'm public in order 10 prove
| what the Ward Four vote really wa4
! The Ward Four votes nre not thrown
/ ont as st. Agatha. they ma merely
I being held IN suspense awaiting PROOF
, of their legality. This Is not n stun
! tlon Of the Governor md Councils
! making. Tho emergency requires
] that some method be found. md tho
| Justices believe this ~ the fnirest
! ana most practicable. That IL enough
; justification for our action. They
| have advised us TO hold an open ses-
! sion and allow the citizens OF Ward
| -Four 10 come to us and state what
| they did on Primary Day. This must
| be done openly Just M II would be
/ done In Court. The voters OF Ward
| -Four must accept this situation 40
| gracefully as do the Governor and
! Council
"The Governor and Council are al
WAYS willing 10 accept criticism. ana
| oypcct It Mt time ouch MS this. In
! tho present instance. however, no
| criticism Ia warranted because We
! arc following tho guidance or tho
| Justices strictly in accordance tn tho
| letter md spirit. The Justices hnvo
worked ont plan which. after due
| dolibcratlon. seemed 10 them the best
! under the circumstances. and know
| Of no body Of men as devoted to the
! states interest. as uDselfsh and as
public spirited ms they. 4
1.-THE hearing will te omen to tho
| public. ANY citizen has the privilege
! NJ attending. No doors Will be clos
1 81. no questions asked in secret
! both candidates have been invited to,
I hc present ard may nsk questions ot
/ the voters. The public Is entitled IN
| know the facts as they are presented
/ 10 US"