The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1880-01-23
THE FUSION CAUCUS.
Another Day of Profitless
Cable.
TALK OF MOVING THE BOGUS
LEGISLATURE TO PORT
LAND OR BIDDEFORD.

In the House Mr. CuShman OF sherman ue-
sired to have the committee report on his case.
If he was not here by right then he wanted to
go home.
Speaker Talbot announced the following
standing committees on the part OF the House.
WAYS and Means-Messrs. Hill Of Exeter
Milliken of Milton, Stiles of Westbrook, Long
of Fort Fairfield, Heard of Bddeford, Clark OF
Nobleboro.
Business of the House-Messrs. Plaisted of
Lincoln, Bradbury of Norway, Staples OF Par
sonfeld.
Leave of Absence-Messrs. Woodcock of
Princeton, Lord of Lebanon, Waldron OF
Frankfort, Written of Pittsfeld Mclaughlin
of Carmel, Stanley of Patten, Benner OF
ThomaSton.
Change of Name-Messrs. Tasting of Sid
ney, Glidden of St. George, Oliver OF Free
man, Webb of Deer Isle, Knight OF Naples,
Washburn Of Greene, Cushman OF Sherman
On Bills in Third Reading-Messrs. Perry OF
Camden, Farrell of Van Buren,, Hill of Union,
Hill of Exeter, Mendal of Hartford.
Engrossed Bills-Messrs. Bradbury OF Nor,
way, Rafter of Damariscotta Hartman of
Kennebunkport, Lewis of Springfield, Howard
of Montville, Nash of Addison, Hersey OF
Brooks
Mr. Dickoy of Fort Kent introduced pre-
amble and resolutions about the Republican
"steal of the State House on Black Monday"
recommending that application be made to the
municipal authorities Of Portland or
Biddeford for an opportunity to hold
the legislature in one Of those
cities. A committee of three was appointed
without debate, cons listing of Messrs. Wilson
of Orono Robinson of Thomaston and Wales
of Biddeford.
Mr.. Dickey said the committee on elections
at present have nothing to do but are prepared
for business. The county delegates should
| meet together before p. m. and form some
definite plan.
A recess was taken till p. IN.
In the Senate Mr.. Thompson of Knox in
| troduced an order that the House, concurring
| the Legislature proceed to business, and that
| the usual Joint committees be appointed at
| once.
| Mr.. Barrett of Oxford said if this is legal
| organization, which he believed it was then
| he should stand by it.
| Mr.. Strickland of Aroostook thought we
| should consider where we are to come out be-
| fore proceeding any further. If the laws are
| to be ignored by the court then it is of no use
| to legislate He did not think the United
| States Court would reverse any decision of
| this court. He did not wish to legislate until
| we know where we are. 1t was question
| with him what to DO under the circumstances,
| whether to go into the other body or go home.
| His feelings were much hurt when he was re-
| fused admittance to the State House last Mon
day. That was the principal thing that stuck
| in his crop He did not think the court would
entertain the questions.
Mr. Patten of Penobscot thought we should
not come day after day and adjourn without
any legislation. The other body did not
believe they were a legal body. All the trouble
was with few political leaders.
Mr.. Ellis of Waldo thought we could not
see our way through. We cannot run two
state governments. A part OF the valuation
books were in their hands and a part in the
hands of the Republicans. This would cause
trouble, he feared.
The Senate took q recess until 4 o'clock.
Mr.. Smith, the would-be Governor, told a
reporter today that under the present circum-
stances he should not deem it advisable to
resort to violence, but if we had possession OF
the State House the Republicans would not
get in without bloodshed.
The following telegram was read by the
speaker from the mayor of Biddeford.
l
if the Legislature meets here it will be protect
| ed. JAMES A. STROUT, Mayor.
| The Fusionists met in secret caucus this al
l ternoon or gathered in groups in various por-
lions of Union Hail. discussing the situation of
affairs. Absolutely nothing was done, though
| it was pretty we'll determined to submit ques-
tons to the court without interposing objcc-
lions. The doors were tirown open at 4 and
some dozen members appeared in the Senate
and fifty in the House. An order was passed
| raising a committee of five on the part of the
| House with such as the Senate may join to
consult in regard to the removal of the legsla-
ture to either Biddeford or Portland, and what
arrangements could be made.
The Mayor of Biddeford came on the
| o'clock train and in person offered the protec-
ton of that city to the Legislature should they
| assemble in that city. This assurance has
somewhat strengthened the Fusionists to hold
| on.
An amendment was offered to remove to
Bangor but withdrawn. A member Wilson of
| Orono) could not serve on the committee as he
was going home tomorrow to attend toa law
case that required his presence. Mr.. Whitman
| of Harrison declined to serve.
Mr.. ingalls, of Wiscasset from the commit
tee on questions to the court, asked for more
time. The committee has been industriously
at work on a statement of facts and questions,
| and although both would be brief the perfect
1 ing of them entailed large amount of work.
| They would be ready tomorrow afternoon at
| o'clock.
| Mr.. Dickey was 'glad the committee were
making preparations They were obliged to
| consult law and facts and the devil knows
| what We should learn to wait and have pa
| thence. When the long roll is called we should
| all be here and answer to our names.
| Mr.. Plaisted moved to adjourn until to-mor-
! row at p. M, but withdrew his motion and
| the legislature then ad journed to 10 tomorrow
| forenoon.
| No business was transacted in the Senate.
! There is a difference of opinion among the
| Fusionists. The majority in private CONVEX
| sation confess to the weakness of their cause
and say it of no earthly use to hold out against
| the decision of the court. But they seemed to
| be influenced and under the control of men
| who are determined to keep them together at
| all hazards. Some hail the submission of
questions to the court as the surest way out of
| the trouble. Others say they are justified in
| their present course by being kept out of the
| State House by armed police when they had a
| right to enter.
| There has been frequent and cordial inter-
| views to-day between members of the legal and
Fusion legislatures. There appears to be no
unfriendly feeling. The Republicans have
! given their opponents liberal allowance on the
| committees.
| The Governor has well defined plans in re-
| gard to the Fusion legislature should it con-
| tinue to assemble which are not now to be
made public.
| 0nNr MT NEDTDT ATM