New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-01-22
A TALK WITH MAJOR SMITH.
HE SAYS HE NEVER FELT MORE coSFIDESr-i
SECRET FUSION CAUCUS.


SECRET FUSION Caucus.
AUGUSTA Me-. Jan. 2I.-The Fuslonists met In
secret caucus this afternoon from o'clock to
o'clock. No one was allowed TO attend ex-
cept members of the Fusion body, the old
Council. heads Of Fusion departments" and
A. F. Gould and L. L. Pisbury. NJ reporters werc
allowed to be present 1t has been ascertaned that
Mr.. Gould made long argument against sub
hitting questions to tue Court, and urged the
Fusion body to 90 straight forward IN tho
discharge Of their duties. 1t was finally voted to
draw up q statement OF the facts and
q series of questions. These viii be
submitted to the members and they
will decide whether to send them TO the Court or
not. Mr.. Gould, who is 10 prepare the questions,
says he desires two days time for the work.
Governor Smith denies that lie ever issued an
order calling out the troops. lie says. however:
liam in receipt OF communications from the people
in every part of the state, from men acquainted
me that our Government has their fullest confidence,
II I waited physical assistance l could have
IL at once. / never felt more cosndeDt than now
We have Secretary OF Slate, WITH MS
DEPARTMENT n @ Nth the broad esl
OF the state. We have also the State Treasurer who VIII
not pay Republican Legislature nor recognize the
validity of the Davis warrants
A demand to-day was made by an official OF tho
Fusonist state Department for the delivery Of
mail but it was refused. The Fusonists are
wondering il test regarding the legality OF
their government cannot be brought before United
States Court by charge that the mail Tor the Tx,
ecutive Department is delivered TO factional and
| illegal government. The postmaster here viii only
| deliver the private mail of Fusionist officials.
BosTON Jan. 21.-A dispatch TO The Herald from
| Augusta says:
Representative Frank Hill. Of the Fusion House says
that State Treasurer Chas A.Whe WILL within IS hours.
begin payiug money Fusonist members in need OF
| funds. Whites p0ndsmen are strong fuslonsts. ana
/ tee a hanh
| Legislature.
| THE FUSIONISTS AFRAID OF THE COURT.
| OPPOSITION To SUBMITTING QUESTIONS 10 THE
JuDGEs-A SLIM ATTENDANCE IS BOTH BRANCHES
| OF THEIR BODY.
AUGUSTA, Me-, Jan. 21.-In joint convention,
az 1928 D. u to-day the Fusion legislature admins
tered the oath OF office John b. Re5msn OF Ellsworth.
| as Counsellor. count OF the members OF the House
standing while the oath being administered showed
hiry-seven present. while the number of Senators who
entered was fourteen
In the Senate the following resolution was oHered py
Senator HObson
ResoIred That the Supreme Court being tho only ,rb
unal for the adjudication OF questions Of law s tho
duy of this senate when there questions In doubt
10 submit them, with the intention OF being over
ruled In matters OF conscience, Tut, II oyerrued The
duty OF members overruled Ia 10 act the body 40
knOwedged by the Court the Legislature, aud usc
their influence cOnscentsousy 10 protest against that
which In their Judgment must be Illegal and thereby
place doubtful question before the people In JUST
light for q nnal appeal
| No other business transacted.
The House met at 10 a. Mr.. swan moved 10 re-
consider the vote Of yesterday ordering committee TO
submt questions 10 the Supreme Court lie said tho
action was hssty and illconserol and that the House
has had enough OF the opinions OF the supreme Court
The Court has agreed consider any questions, he
said and there doubt that n vonld refuse 10 give
n decision II any questions submitted. Such step
would be complete surrender to the Republicans. no
| thought.
| Mr. Plaisted spoke IN the strain. We are
| oLliged" he said, d" to treat the opinion 0f the
Court nna will consent Ia see the Con-tu-
! tIon trampled upon, even by the Supreme JulicA
Court" He believes the state Treasurer will all
| bills OF the Fusion body.
heard from and the Speaker Informed the House that
the Chief Justice had teegraphed yesterday as faOgs:
| :" will determine when the papers are received"
Mr. STYLES bitterly opposed TO sending any que>
tions TO the Court lie bas no confidence In tue court
! Messrs CusLInan Bradbury and Hill. the conntedin
members Indignantly repealed the iDsinuatIon that they
wished this body to take any rash steps Tho debate
was continued unit 1920 p when both houses went
INTO Iout convention IL was evident from the tone OF
rho Kers that the Fus0nsts have decided 10 submit
no oesiioBs to the Court. whoh Is IN accordance 70 IL
| belieyed With the advice OF Mr.. Gould.
Durug the session Of the House, Messfs Bcnncr and
Rafter denied hoy took part IN the business Of the
entered the Stare House since lhoy wore iciusea aonis
| sion on Monday last.
! adjourned till p