New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-12-26
THE SITUATION IN MAINE.
A DEMOCRATIC SCHEME DEFEATE


AN ATTEMPT TO REMOVE STATE ARMS AND AMMU-
milton UNDER ORDERS FROM THE GOVERNOR
THE REMOVAL PREVENTED BY THE CITIZENS.
An effort was made in Bangor, Me-, yester-
day by clerk in the Adjutant- Generals office
to remove 100 rifles and $4,000 ball-cart-
ridges from the State Arsenal and take
them to Augusta. The citizens, how
ever, stopped the wagons carrying the
war material. and the clerk, in order to pre-
vent q collision with the excited crowd, re-
turned the arms and ammunition to the ar
senal. He said he was acting under orders
from Governor Garcelon.
THE GOVERNORS EFFORT TO SECURE ARMS.
QUIET MOVEMENT FOR REMOVING ARMS FROM THE
BANGOR ARSENAL TO AUGUsTA-THE CITIZENS
COMPEL THE RETURN OF THE WAR MATERIAL
THE CITY GREATLY EXCITED.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNEl
BANGOR, Me-, Dec. 25.--Bangor was to-day the
scene of an excitement unparalleled since the day
when the guns Of the rebel battery made their as
sault on Fort Sumter. 1t had been known that dur
ing the day Major Joseph L. Smith lthe Greenback
candidate for Governorl and Mr. Folsom of Oldtown,
and Others were In consultation at the Exchange
Hotel with Mr.. French, u clerk in the Adjutant-
Generals Office at Augusta. The result of their con-
ference was apparent about o'clock this after
noon, when word came down town that two two
horse wagons loaded with 100 Springfield cadet
rifles and "a 900 bal-cartridges from the State Ar
scual on Essex ST.. were on their way through the
city.
When the teams reached Keduskeag Bridge they
were stopped by a crowd of people and inquiry was
made of the drivers TO what authority they were
acting under and what was the intended destina-
ton of the material OF war The teamsters said
they had been engaged by hackman from the
hotel to take the material to the Main Central
depot but did not know under whose authority.
Tho arms were delivered to them by
the arsenal keeper. BY this time the
crowd began TO grow larger, and the bridge was
soon filed with large and excited mass OF people
determined that no shipment of arms should be
made through the city unless under unmstakable
authority.
Mayor Brown was sent for, and soon appeared on
the ground. About the same time Arsenal Keeper
Smith also appeared. Mayor Brown asked the lat
ter under what orders he was acting, and received
the answer: Under the orders of the Governor"
Tho keeper was then asked TO show his or
dcrs. He said he had no written orders
but was acting under verbal order
from Mr. French, clerk in the Advertisements
Office Meanwhile the crowd grew more and more
excited, and insisted that the arms should not be
allowed to leave the city, but should at once be re-
turned to tho Arsenal.
Inquiry being made by Mayor Brown for Mr..
French, that gentleman appeared on the scene, and
said that he was here. by order of Governor Gar
celon, to remove the arms and ammunition to Au-
gusta. lie afterward admitted that he had
no orders from the Adjutant-General. and
only verbal order from Governor Gar
celon. Mayor Brown called his attention to the
high state of excitement existing and told him that
he feared with the meagre police force under
his control that he coud not guarantee him the safe
conduct through the city of the war material. The
Mayor said ho did not undertake to dictate any
course of action under the circumstances, but sug-
Oested that il would be better to return the material
to the Arsenal for the present. Mr. French
acknowledging the want of proper authority and
seeing the excited condition of our citizens, decided
that this the best course to pursue and ordered
the teams TO return to the Arsenal, which they did
with the arms and ammunition.
As the teams started on their return three hearty
cheers were given by the crowd After giving his
order for their return, Mr.. Folsom. OF Oldtown,
Major Smiths lieutenant. upbraided Mr.. French for
not doing his duty by insisting on carrying ont the
plan agreed upon. He promptly rebuked by
CAPTAIN Boutele, of The Whig and Courier in front
of whose Office the crowd was gathered Captain
Boutellc informed Mr.. Folsom that neither Mr..
French nor the citizens of Bangor needed any
satellites from Oldtown to instruct them to what
was their duty.
Mr.. French has returned to Augusta TO await
further action and instructions by the Governor.
The excitement In this city is at fever heat. and
crowds of our citizens gathered on the streets
aud in the stores and offices discussing the situation.
If in time Of peace the arms are to be taken from
the Arsenal carried through the streets of our city
and thence to Augusta, and the Capitol put in
state of SIEGE they determined TO know the
son why. While there is a strong and deeply-seatcd
determination to tho outrage attempted TO
DO committed at Augusta thwarted, and that by
pea ,eabe and lawful methods, the people are in no
mood to he tried with, and any attempt to prccpi-
tate conflict will be met with the determined OPP
position and resistance of bold and resolute men,
who know their rights. and knowing, dare
maintain them.
AN HONEST FUSION MEMBER.
prppr raTfyF spROtrI DEFINES TO nFcoAfF