Oxford Democrat

[From the Lewiston Journal.]

HONORABLE DEMOCRATS.

FOUR FOUND IN LEWISTON WHO DENOUNCE THE OUTRAGE.

A Journal reporter this morning called on Geo. F. French, esq., one of the Democratic candidates for representative to the legislature from Lewiston, and found Mr. French pronounced in his views of the counting-out infamy. Mr. French said: "I do not believe in putting party before loyalty and honor. I never will uphold my party in anything that I think is wrong. I do not believe it is ever right to thwart the will of the people on merely technical grounds. I do not think the executive has the right to declare any law unconstitutional, which has not been passed upon by the courts. I cannot see how there can be any defence for such cases as Skowhegan and Lisbon. I do not believe a majority of Democrats in this part of the State defend the course of the Governor and Council. I have not been round among them to any great extent, but this morning I hear of several Democrats who do not believe in the course of Gov. Garcelon and who can't defend him."

"I don't know what is the way out of this crisis. I hope that enough of those who have been certificated will decline to accept legislative positions, so as not to defeat the will of the people. I would certainly scorn to accept a certificate given me under these circumstances, and I should not take my seat in the Legislature on a quibble, and when I know that the people had not asked me to go."

One of our oldest dry goods merchants, John A. Rodick, esq., and a Democrat of long standing, was called on by a Journal reporter, Monday afternoon. The reporter asked of Mr. R. his deliberate opinion in regard to the "count."

"My serious opinion is that it's wrong," said Mr. Rodick. "I do not uphold Governor Garcelon and his Council. What sticks me is this: Why is it that the Republican returns are full of errors and the fusion returns are all right? That's what sticks me!" Mr. R. expressed this opinion with considerable emphasis.

"I believe that it is right for a defeated party to quietly bow to the will of the majority. We've always done it for 20 years, and I believe it is the right thing to do." He continued: "I have teased some Republicans considerably by telling them that it's no worse than Louisiana, but my serious opinion is that it's wrong."

Our reporter then called on Oliver Newman, esq., a well-known Democrat, who represented Ward 2 in the Board of Aldermen last year. Mr. Newman said that he did not wish to be mixed up in politics at all, as he was thoroughly disgusted with them. He said he did not believe in "counting out." He thought that Governor Garcelon and his Council had done a great wrong. He did not know as they had been worse than the Louisiana Returning Board, but he did not approve of their action.

Our reporter asked C. S. Newell, esq., one of the best known Democrats and merchants in the city, what he thought of the counting-out business.

"I think it's a sheer fraud," said he, "and that the men that are engaged in it should not be sustained. That's just where I stand. It is simply subverting the will of the people, and I shan't back it up. I have just signed a call for an indignation meeting, and signed in good faith."

"How long have you been a Democrat?"

"Eight years. But if the Democratic party is to degrade itself in this way, I'm done. I shall be square about it."

Mr. Newell, as is well known, was elected last year by the Lewiston Democrats to the office of Assessor of Taxes, one of the most responsible city offices, which he still holds.