es were rejected by partisan returning-officers upon the most
frivolous pretexts. Gangs of ruffians were stationed at the polls to
intimidate those who ventured near to record their votes in favour of
anti-Government candidates. In at least one instance, the
Lieutenant-Governor presented himself in person at the polling-place
while the contest was at its height, and remained there for some time on
horseback, in close proximity to the spot where votes were
recorded.[248] As for the Reformers, they were soon aroused from their
dreams of confidence. But their rude awakening, early as it was, came
all too late. They perceived that the seed had been well sown, and that
the crop would have to be reaped. They found themselves looked upon with
suspicion and dislike among their neighbours and others from whom they
had been accustomed to receive confidence and respect. They needed all
the courage of their opinions to support them against the obloquy which
official slander had aroused. The courageous among them faced the polls
in the spirit of a forlorn hope. The more timid quietly remained at home
and refrained from voting, rather than subject themselves to certain
insult and probable physical violence.

It may perhaps be urged, in reply to some of the foregoing allegations,
that a Committee of the Assembly subsequently inquired into the various
matters complained of, and that their report acquitted the Governor of
all culpability. But anyone who is familiar with the proceedings of
election committees in those days, and even in times much more recent,
will not need to be informed how much--or how little--weight should be
attached to a verdict from such a source. In the case under
consideration, the proceedings were conducted with exceptional disregard
to propriety, and the verdict of acquittal cannot be considered as of
any value whatever. Only one member of the Committee heard the whole of
the evidence upon which the report was based. Three of the members
declared that the report was adopted without their knowledge or consent.
Of the other five members who prepared the document, one attended only
two meetings out of fourteen; while another attended four, and another
five. A fourth member attended twelve meetings, and one only of the five
attended all the fourteen. The inquiry was from first to last conducted
in a spirit of partisanship, and the report, in the language of Dr.
Rolph, was "the offspring of untempered zeal, insuffici