Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-07-22
Baxter Spikes Tales
Continued from Page One)

ASS WV
to US, so that there will be no de-
lay.
Interruptions by Candidates and
Lawyers
1.-THE lawyers employed by the can
didateS repeatedly interrupt the
count, ask questions, argue. stand
over the tables and talk while the
count Is proceeding. l do not criti-
this delays and confuses the work.
Were it not for these Interruptions
six counties instead of three would
have been completed by this time.
THE law says that the count
shall be in open meeting This does
not mean that the candidates shall
do the counting; the Councillors are
the ones to attend to that. If the in
terruptions and arguments become
too numerous the Councillors will be
obliged to make some restrictive
rules. 1 have hope that the liberal
attitude of the Councillors can be
continued.
ITO insinuate that the Councillors
are parties to a plot to delay the
count is unworthy. Knowing them as
l do l resent such q suggestion; a
more conscientious and impartial
bOdAu COulu IlOI DG 1OQHu 1Ll lU0
State, and If did not come to their
defense should be derelict in my
duty.
Frauds. If any, to be Punished
"Those who charge that fraud has
been committed in Ward 4 in Port
land urge that all the votes. good
and bad. be thrown out until each
and every voter is given an oppor-
tunity to swear by affidavit whether,
and how, he voted.
ITO add to the confusion the other
candidate now demands that all the
wards in Portland be Investigated, as
we'll as Milo, Kittery. Pittsfield, etc.
Election is seven weeks away, the
ballots must be printed weeks ahead,
yet the Councillors are asked to do
all this investigation in the space of
a few days. There are $40 towns
and cities and 633 voting precincts
in the State. and IL this continues
where is the end?
THE council is asked to punish the
offenders, but that Is the Job of the
governor and Of the attorney general.
After the recount Is over the most
important work before this admins
tration Is to catch the criminals who
perpetrated the fraud, II such there
be.
Il want the people Of Maine to
know that everyone Of the trouble
some questions is being submitted to
our supreme court, and that the
councillors and myself will follow
the courts guidance. Much unnec-
essary talk and many impracticable
suggestions will be solved by the
courts answers. AS to the alleged
fraud, the people need expect moth
ing spectacular. Investigations are
underway and the results will be re-
ported to the grand jury In Septem-
Der. but that will be after election.
Nomination by State Committee
Would be Wrong; An Empty Honor
CAS- for my being substituted as a
candidate by the state committee,
there is no ground for such a sugges-
ton. Had I wanted to be governor
for two years I should have entered
the primaries. and my friends are
loyal enough to say I would have
won. did not want II then, I do
not want 1t now, and would not ac-
cept a nomination by the state COM
nittee II it were rendered me.
The people Of this state are the
ones to make the nomination. They
will insist upon their right to do so,
and very properly would resent a
committee nomination. In my opin-
len such a nomination would prove
an empty honor.
MY four years as governor have
been the most interesting Of my life
and it has been a great privilege to
serve the state of Maine. I know
the state as few men do. yield to no
enc in my loyalty and devotion to It,
and have given it the benefit Of my
knowledge and experience. Four
years, however, as far es I am con-
cerned are enough. During that peri
cd have abandoned all my personal
affairs and 1t 10 time I looked after
them. Already / have interesting
plans for the future.
ut should not be overlooked that
every time q candidate starts a new
storx, or arouses a new suspicion. he
widens the existing breach and
makes somebody's election Just so
much more difficult A little clear
thinking Is sorely NEEDED pust at this
time. Greater issues are involved In
the present situation than the purely
LEGAL one Of who shall he governor OF
this state for two years TO come"
harrington Files Request
A request for an Investigation was
made last Friday by Senator Far
rington in which he named the towns