The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1880-01-24
THE FUSION CAUCUS.
Disposition to Submit Cues
tons to the Court.
THE COUNTED IN MEMBERS
THE CHIEF OPPONENTS
OF THIS COURSE.

AUGUSTA, Jan. 23.-The Fusionists today
again met at Union hall. But a part of their
members was present and but little talk or
business was transacted. Mr. Dickey, of Fort
Kent put in the following order:
That the Hon. p. A. Sawyer. Secretary of
State be directed to notify the municipal Off
GERS of the cities, towns and plantations of the
State that new valuation of the State is to
be made by this Legislature, that said officers
may appear and be heard; and that a partcu-
lar notice with the broad seal of the State
affixed, be forwarded to the towns of Ellsworth
and Brunswick that their Representatives
have withdrawn themselves from this House.
In the Senate the president announced the
following committees:
On bills IN second reading-Messrs. Barker
of Penobscot, Barrett of Oxford, Ellis of Wal
Hobson of Lincoln, Thompson of Franklin,
Cornish of Kennebec, Dingley of Androscog-
gin, Harris of Washington, Hill OF Hancock,
Lampson Of Sagadahoc.
On engroSsed bMs-Messrs. Parlin of Somer-
set, Atwell of Penobscot, Libby of York. True
of Cumberland, Thompson of Knox, Rankin
of Oxford, Talbot of Washington, Berry of
Kennebec Flint of Piscataquis, Coombs of
Hancock, Emery of York, Parcher of Andres
coggin.
On leage Of dbSence-Messrs. Thompson of
Knox, Gibbs of Cumberland, Linn of Somer-
set, Hill of Hancock, and Parcher of Andres
coggin.
There was much fault found by the Fusion
lists because, as they said, they had been re-
fused the privilege to take their stationery
from the State House.
Both branches then adjourned until 2
o'clock.
The afternoon session of the fusion body as
sembled as per adjournment, whereupon Mr..
Staples of Parsonsfeld wished to vindicate his
character.
The report of the committee on questions to
be submitted to the court was then read.
After the reading Mr.. ingalls, of Wiscasset
said: l have already expressed my views on
submitting the questions to the court. They
have been prepared with great care. If it is
true that they do not cover the entire ground,
then the committee are perfectly willing they
should be cut to pieces. 1t is fact that the
Supreme Judicial Court is the highest authori-
ty we have. We know that the court will not
recognize any laws that we may make, but
under our present condition we should submit
these questions, and then, like good law-abid-
ing citizens, submit to the decision. There
was no doubt in his mind but that the body in
the State House was illegal. He said that the
facts had not been put as they actually were.
The questions sent to the court by the other
body were theoretical, but these cover the facts
at ISSUE 1t did not look well for the state to
have two state governments, and surely Con
gress can give us no relief, and he could not
see any possible harm in submitting the ques-
lions to the Supreme Court. Our constituents
will hold us responsible for what we do and
now let us act right. We must get out of this
dilemma which we are now in. He believed
that he expressed the views that ought to pre-
vail.
Mr.. Wilson of Orono felt he, as d member of
the committee, should say single word in
favor of submitting. We say that the facts
have not been presented to the court. If that
be so, then why not submit them as we should.
He could not see wherein they were wrong.
If the court refuses to consider them we shall
stand better in the estimation of the people.
Mr.. Dickey of Fort Kent said this question
has been most ably discussed. The court, in
his mind, was partisan, and he did not believe
that we should submit any more questions to
them. He said that if bonds were issued by
cities and but three aldermen and the mayor
sign them, that the courts would decide them
isgal Hs had na confidence he sess
was to lay the questions on the table and pro-
coed to business
Mr.. Hill of Corinth said he came here for
the purpose of serving his constituents faith
fully. 1t was his purpose to be law abiding
citizen. The laws we are to make have to be
tested before the courts. We now have two
decisions, and he was for abiding by them. For
a week it was question where to go, but he
had resolved to go into the other body so that
his people might be represented in the making
of the new valuation. He for one wanted the
questions submitted, aud then cheerfully obey
the decision.
Mr.. Robinson of Thomaston said that he had
been instructed by his constituents to vote
against submitting to the court. They have
decided against us before and he felt that they
would again.
Mr.. Mlliken of Burnham said he saw no
alternative but to submit and then to abide by
the decision.
MrEHaskell of Turner said that we ought to
have more respect for the court than had been
expressed by some. He was in favor of sub
hitting
Mr.. Stiles of Westbrook said he was a mem
Der of the Legislature; that by hard labor the
salary of the Judges was reduced. He for one
had no confidence in them. He was willing
that the questions should be submitted ON one
condition, that the Judges answer them as put
and not go out of their way to get something
else in. If we are right 1 would say let us
proceed to work. He did not believe the 9TH
er body legal, but wanted to ascertain the
fact.
Mr.. Staples Of Parsonsfeld wanted to stand
right. He believed that this body was the on
ly legal one. The other body cannot make
laws that will stand, although they have the
State House to use. He believed that the
counted-in men had just as good right to
their seats as he had. How wicked it is to de-
stroy the confidence of men in the Judiciary,
yet from their recent decisions they have lent
themselves to party.
Mr.. Plaisted Of Lincoln said if we vote to
submit the questions to the court then let us
abide by the decision.
Mr. Long of Fort Fairfield said he was in
favor of submitting to the court. He had been
taught from infancy to recognize the court as
the highest authority.
Mr. Hussey of Brooks said if our cause is I'M
just and rotten then we had better not submit
to the court, but if it is sound then what had
we to fear. He was heartily in favor of SUBJ
hitting to the court.
Mr.. Hill of Exeter was opposed to going to
the court with any questions. We cannot get
any justice.