Evening star., 1880-01-20
The lockout i'm Maine.

THE FUSION LEGISLATURE. DENIED ADMISSION TO
THE sTATE-HouSE, HOLDS NESTING IN THE
STREET.
The situation in Augusta, Me-, is yet peaceful.
GOV. Joseph L. Smith at o'clock yesterday af-
teTnOon advanced to the gateway OF the Capt.
tol, accompanied by some fifty persons, repre-
senting themselves to be the legislature, and
demanded entrance. Admission was denied
them and Gov. Smith was informed that if he
would put his request in writing it would be
presented to the commander. The senate and
house the n proceeded to transact their business
on the sidewalk there being eight senators and
thirty-flye members OF the house present. The
reading of the records was dispensed with, and
without transacting any business of Importance
the legislature adjourned to meet at Union Hall
at 10 O'Clock this morning. The crowd then
dispersed. There was great complaint on the
part OF the fqsionists, but no serious disturb
ance occurred. Admittance was denied to all
political parties, but reporters were allowed to
enter. At fusion meeting last evening in
front OF the Augusta House, MeSsrS. Lamson.
Talbot and Darius Alden made speeches de-
nouncing the action of the republicans Gen,
Davis, by whose orders the State-houSe was
closed against the fusfonists, says he was un-
willing that the farce of fiat legislature should
go on any longer. Yesterday afternoon the
State-hOuse swarmed with policemen armed
WI with reyolyers and prepared for any emergency.
The fusionistS say they intend to appeal to Con-
gIeSS and will soon have a committee here to
investigate matters.
FUNNY SCENES AT THE CAPITOL GATE YESTERDAY.
The Boston He,dlds dispatch from Augusta
says: At $40 o'clock this afternoon Mr. Wilson
at the gate, and simultaneously Mayor Nash
came down from the state house. Mr.. Wilson
whose authority" asked he. .'By order of Gov.
Davis" replied the mayor. "Gov. Davis has
ordered the state house cleared because no busi-
ness is being transacted in any of the depart
mentS, neither the treasury, the secretary OF
states Office, neither of the houses of the legis-
lature." But" expostulated Mr.. Wilson, 81
have, have come & for val valuable papers In my desk;
am sorry sir, but am only obeying the gov
ernor's orders in keeping you out" Then the
fusionist n senator, Strickland; came up. Can
reply. 81 ask admission as member of the
senate of the state of Maine. My name is
Strickland, and l can show you my creden-
reav not 70 hase any
asked Senator Strickland by Governor
Davis's," was the response. ''If you have any
communication conn to make in writing will for;
the senator, 81 have no communication to
make. l am satisfied. At 3:45 Mr.. Lamson,
president Of the fusion senate, and Mr.
peared, with the secretary and clerk of their
bodies, and demanded admission at the
gate. On being refused by the mayor they
asked for entrance as members Of the leglsla-
ture, only to have it again denied them They
put the same questions that Senator Strickland
did. and received the same answers. A few
minutes later Gov. Smith came up and at
tempted to pass without asking any questions.
He was stopped by the officers arm and when
he said, 81 demand admission as governor, - his
authority was not recognized, and he was
turned back. At this time about 1000 persons
had gathered at the gate, and the throng
swayed to and fro, endeavOring to hear what
was going on. A representative, supposed to
be Mr.. Knowles, of Bradford, who has sat, but
not acted with the republican house, began a
speech, in which he denounced the authority in
the strongest terms for refusing to admit him
Presently a new diversion occurred, and a
cheer drew everybodyS attention to the tall
orm OF MI. Talbot, speaker of the fusion
house. who was posted on the fence OF the
state house yard Clerk Gibbs stood at his feet
with the record book and sundry papers. Mr.
Talbot spoke substantially as follows Since
we are not permitted to enter the legislative
hail by usurping and illegal governor, it be-
ton eS my duty to call the house Of representa-
ives to order here, in the nearest possible spot.
Gentlemen of the house of representatives, you
VIII pie ase come to order.n The reading of the
5ourral was dispensed with, and an order was
offered by Mr. Plaisted, OF Lincoln, that the
house ad. ourn to meet at Union Hall, Augusta,
to-day. Mr.. Talbot began the reading or this
trder:-"State OF Maine. house OF representa-
tiveS, as near as possible which created
laughter in the crowd. He declared the order
adopted, and the house accordingly adjourned.
Mr.. Lamson. president OF the fusion senage,
who had also climbed upon the fence removed
his hat and said" The gentlemen OF the sen
ate will please come to order" Mr.. Plaistedis
order was then taken UP and declared adopted
on concurrence, and Mr.. LamSon declared the
senate adjourned.