Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-01-08
THE GREAT FRAUD.
Another Leaf Turned.
THE CITY YESTERDAY.
The D0ings at the State House
THE FUSlONlSTS WITHOUT A
QUORUM.
EXCITING SCENES.
The D0ings at the State House
EXCITING SCENES.
An Illegal Organization
Forced.
A Memorable and Pleasant Day.

The seventh of January, 1880, will ever be
looked upon as memorable day in the histo.
ry of our State. On that day the eyes of the
nation were bent upon Maine as they never
were before. The heart of the old Pine Tree
State, all over its broad territory from the
more general unanimity. 1t was the first
time that an attempt was made to trail her
proud and untarnished name in the dust, and
to plot against her liberties aid her free in
situations.
A fairer mid-winter day than that of yester-
day was never vouchsafed. The CLASSY sur
| face of the snow sparkled and cleaned in the
rays of the rising sun, and the air bore the
mildness Of spring upon its wings.
The Crowd and their Demeanor.
| The large numbers Of strangers within the
limits of the city were astir betimes, and the
large additions the trains brought in, together
with those who came with their teams from
the surrounding towns, made the city early
| in the day wear a crowded appearance. State
street began to be thronged with people wend-
ing their way towards the Capitol, and its ro-
tunda and corridors were soon filed. Thanks
to the urgency of Gen. Chamberlain and the
consent of Gov. Garcelon, the guards and
spies who have disgraced the State House,
were removed, and in their place stood the
blue uniformed and stalwart members of our
city police, and the able sheriffs of the coun-
ty. The States citizens were free to
enter every public portion of the
large building, except the chamber
of the Senate and the hall of the House of
Representatives, whose capacities were neces-
sar:ly limited to members, both counted-in
and counted-out, members of the State gov
eminent, Judges of the court, members ofthe
Legislature of 20, ex-Governors, members of
Congress, representatives of the press, and
others As far as was possible.
The demeanor of those who gathered in the
rotunda of the State House was civil and or
der-loving in the extreme. The battle-torn
flags of our soldiers, the countenances of
Washington and Lincoln suspended from the
walls, looked down upon freedom-loving,
liberty cberishing band of men, men who
seemed impressed that the occasion was
solemn and grave one in the existence of the
State they love and revere.
The Throng In the House.
Soon after admission was gained, the floor
of the House was filled with men interested
IN whatever might occur. There were in the
seats members-elect Of both parties, both
those elected by the votes of the people, and
those counted in by the Governor and Coun-
ell. while surrounding them in the wall aisles
and in 'front.' were crowded together their
constituents from almost every section of the
State The galleries were thrOnged. The
crowd swelled each moment, and as the de-
bate progressed the windows opening upon
the balconies were filled with faces eager to
catch single word.
The Opening Of a sharp Contest.
Itwould be useless to attempt any descrip-
ton of the assembly. Every profession was
represented. The most prominent men of
both parties were collected there to see and
hear what no man ever heard or saw in the
halls of our capitol, if they have ever been
witnessed in any other capitol in the country.
The conjectures were many as to the proba-
bic action of the republicans and none outside
of the members-elect could tell. The most
probable one was that they would absent
themselves, and, what gave them some as
surauce. was the dilatory manner in which
the republican members assembled. This
conjecture quickly lost its strong appearance
when the republicans took the seats designat-
ed them, and was completely dispelled when
the roll was called. The republicans an
swered to their names in turn. As the roll
call progressed the excitement grew intense
and few let themselves even surmise what
would be the next action of the leaders.
A stout Champion tor the Republicans.
Every eve was turned upon Hon Eugene Hale
who was seated in the very front row to the
left of the Speakers chair. His party looked
upon him as their support and every one
there felt that what could be done by man
would be by him. His opponents looked
upon him in fear, for in their own ranks
there was no one upon whom they could de-
mend to cone with this distinguished states
man in debate; none of them. provided the
question was an equal one; and here their
weakness was even more conspicuous be-
cause he was supported by the right For
nearly four hours, single-handcd he fought
the cause Of his party and totally routed his
opponents. The leaders of the opposition,
Major Dickey and Perry Of Camden, were
a. pigmies before the sledge-hammer blows Of
his arguments, backed as he was at every
point BY the constitution, law and the Judg-
ment Of the Supreme court. At times leav-
ing the law, he would plead the:cause OF the
disfranchised cities in such an earnest con-
vincing manner as to compel the attendance
of his most obstinate hearers.
prute rerce Brought - near.
But il was useless. The conspirators hao
manned ont their line of action and leei': and
argument were lost. They had secured
creature to act - clerk who. II ne had msos
an effort to be more contemplate IN the sisn'