The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1875-02-26
BY TELEGRAPH.
MATTERS in MAINE.
A New Lease of Life.
Wagner and Gordon Reprieyed fer Four
Weeks.
uvdye Dauforth Notifies Governor Ding
lev of a Hearing i'm the Case OF BON
Gouyic(s.
Especial to Press.1

AUGUSTA, Feb. 25.- Ex.Judge Tapley coun-
sci for Wagner and Gordon, arrived in this city
this morning, having received favorable
answer from Judge Danforth on his applica-
ton for an Injunction restraining the execution
of Wagner and Gordon tomorrow, on the
ground that the law is unconstitutional which
authorizes the Governor to fix the time OF exc
cution. 1t is understood that Hon. +. y. y.
Smith suggested this and other points to par
ties interested In the matter. The followlngl is
Governor Dingey's despatch to Sheriff Tor
rey:
AUGUSTA Feb. 18th, 1876.
TO G. F. Torrey, Sheriff of Kno1 County,
ROckland::
of Mr. Tapley, counsel for Wagner and Gordon
Tor an injunctlon restraining the execution OF
both convicts on certain grounds, and has gwen
me notice of hearing. Accordingly nave
granted reprieve to both Wagner ana GorooD'
by express to-day. You are therefore directed
to suspend the execution of both convicts &C
cordingly.
NELSON DINGLEY, JR.,
Governor of Maine.
Judge Tapley says that the case will be en-
tered at the term of the Supreme Court soon to
be held in Knox county, and that the case will
mot be concluded before hearing is had before
the meeting of the Law Court in Augusta in
June next
Quite number of newspaper men were on
the II o'clock train on their way to Thomaston.
ITO Associated Press.l
Governor Dingley, with the advice and con-
sent of the Council, repreved Wagner and
Gordon till March 26th on being advised by
Judge Danforth that in his judgment point
had been raised by ex-Judge Tapley, counsel
for the prisoners, which he regarded as impor-
tant enough to justify hearing in the case'
and that time should be given. Judge virgin
was also present and concurred in this view. 1t
is understood that both judges thought there
was nothing in the point that the case was re-
viewed by the Governor and Council OF one
year and the warrant was issued by the Cover
nor of another year, and that they declined to
order notice for hearing on an application
for an injunction lon that ground. But upon
the point of the constitutionality of the law re-
curing the Governor to fix the time of execu-
ton instead of the court, Judge Danforth
thought there might be a question OF sufhclent
importance to call for hearing. Accordingly
he W ill grant an order of notice to the sheriff
and warden, returnable to the next regular
term of the Supreme Judicial Court in Knox
county, which sits March 9th at Rockland.
Judge Virgin will preside at this term, when
probably the Attorney General will represent
the state and Messrs Tapley and E. F. Pills
bury the prisoners. If the Judge shall con-
slider the point raised of such Importance as to
justify temporary injunction, pro badly case
will be made up and taken at once to the full
court for adjudicati on.
The reprieve for Gordon and Wagner was Tor
warded to-day to Sheriff Torrey. and the Gov
ernor this evening received advice that it had
been placed in the sheriff's hands, and that the
prisoners had been notified that they had
further lease of life. The preparations for their
execution to morrow had been nearly COM
pleted.
Governors Council.
The Executive Council to-day adjourned to
March 33d. Pardon was granted to James
McCame convict in the state prison for lar
ceny. The state officials authorized to enforce
the tax OH railroads and insurance companies,
were empowered by the Executive Council to
employ necessary counsel.
Gordon Visited by the r aiher and Broth
ers of his Viclim-He Refuses to Make a
Confession.
RocKLAND, Feb. 25-The father and two
brothers of the woman Gordon murdered,
came to Thomaston to-day and sought an in
terview with Gordon with the view OF inducing
him to make full confession. Gordon was
very willing to converse and see them, and the
interview lasted three quarters of an hour, dur
ing which time he conversed freely with them
upon matters which occurred at the time OF the
murder, before and after the deed, but stoutly
denied being guilty oflmanslaughter, for which
he said he had no doubt he would be hung to-
morrow. Neither he nor Wagner have any
intimaton of having been reprieved, and it will
not be made known TO them till tomorrow
forenoon. Chaplain Mason and Rev. Mr.. Bean
visited them this afternoon. Gordon is very
much Frustrated but Wagner is as hopeful as
ever.
Temperance Movement iu Auburn.
LEWISTON, Feb. pa temperance reform
movement has been inaugurated in Auburn.
Three hundred and fifty persons signed the
pledge at meeting held by the Auburn Re-
form Club last evening" and the audience was
addressed by Messrs. Reynolds, Langley and
Hill of Bangor and by members of the Au-
burn Club.
A Bath Vessel Ashore.
Boston, Feb 25-Sch Uriah B.Fiske of Bath,
Crowel Boston for Baltimore, went ashore
Chatham Bar, Cape Cod, Wednesday in thick
fog and remains to-day. Vessel tight A con-
tract has been made to get her afoat. Should
the weather prove favorable she will come of
without serious damage.
Municipal Politics.
RocKLAND, Feb 25-The Democrats at large
had caucus this evening and were unable to
agree on candidate for Mayor, and adjourned
till tomorrow evening.
LEWISTON, Feb 25.-At the Republican eau
Gus this evening Hon. Edmund Russell was
nominated as candidate for Mayor by an al
most unanimous vote.
THE CHICAGO COMMUNISTS.