Is It Backwards? Why Does it Work?

Yeah, the return springs look like an overkill. I'd remove the outer one and rehang the inner pair where they attach in between the gap of the accelerator cable clevis. That way they pull straight on the cable and not at an angle which levers the carb link.
I tried it with just two...
It wouldn't kick down all the way.
The third spring is pretty weak but it's there because it has to be.