The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1880-01-14
Last Nights Dispatches.
MAIN e.

MAINE.
AUGUSTA. Jan. l3,-The following let.
ters have been promulgated:
AUGUSTA, Jan. IL l8S0.-Joshua L
Cham berlain, Major General Command
ing Dear Sir: Having entered upon the
duties of Governor of Maine under critica
circumstances. it is important for me Il
understand whether you are prepared tt
recognize my authority as such.
Respectfully.
JAMES d. LAMsoN, Governor.
AUGUSTA, Jan. l3. l8S0-To Hon.
James ID. Lamson-Sir: [ have the honor
to acknowledge the receipt of your com
munieation informing me that you have
entered upon the duties Of Governor, and
desiring to know if | am prepared to recog-
your authority as such. The gravity Oi
the situation and appearance of my an.
swer to your question demand that
should give to it most earnest attention.
am acting under authority devolved
upon me by virtue of the appointment of
Governor Garcelon In the attitude
which things have now taken, the respOn-
sibiIity resting upon me under this order
involves the liberties of the people, their
most sacred property, and the stability OF
constitutional government, their highest
institution. | am thankful that you feel
and understand this and realize equally
with myself the importance of our pro-
ceediug with caution. Your inquiry
virtually calls upon me to decide ques-
ton of constitutional law which is a
matter falling not at all within the
provinces of my department, In my
military capacity L have not the privilege
of submitting questions to the only trl
bunal competent to decide that. The
constitution has delared that justices
of the Supreme judicial Court shall be
obliged to give their opinion upon i'm
portaut questions of law and upon
solemn occasions when required BY the
civil branches of the government, but that
privilege is not accorded to the military
department. Supported by the decision
of the court, should obey without
moments hesitation, But solemniy be
lieving that if at this juncture [ abandon
my trust there will be no barrier against
auarchy and bloodshed, cannot under
the present circumstances recognize your
authority as Governor of Maine. There
are only two ways to settle the question
now at issue and agitating the public
mind-following strictly the constitution
and laws. or by revolution and blows. In
this alternative, and standing where |
must be Judged by God and man, | can
only hold fast in my place and implore
those who have the power 10 decide those
questions by appeal to the peaceful course
OF law. Believing that this answer must
commend itself to your judgment as the
only one possible for me 10 give, and with
the highest respect and esteem, have
the honor to be. your obedient servant,
j. L CHAMB ERLAIN, Maj Gen.
Orville d. Baker, Counsel for the Re-
publcan Advisory Committee, has made
report IN which he takes the ground
that the state has nov no legal or acting
Governor because ii the Office OF Governor
had been vacant under the constitution
L1mson was not legally elected President
ot the constitutional Senate; that the
Fusion Senate was not legal body or
legally organized, because it has no quorum
without the vote of members who we're not
in fact elected and did not even appear 10
be elegted cn The face OF ;he returns and
those farce certificates they hold are un-
constitutional and void and the Cover
eruor and Council exceeded their power
10 issuing them, since they are compelled
by the constitution to issue certificates to
those who appear by the returns to be
elected Such certificates, Baker urges,
are as void as if issued to persons for
whom no votes at ell we're cast or return
ed. For the same reason the Fusion
House OF REPRESENTATIVES have DO legal
status and fer the added reason that the
House has never had a quorum voting on
any motion or measure or on The election
of any officers. even counting ali me ID bers
with fraudulent certificates. Baker con
tends, also. and illustrates By compari .
son oi the constitution as originated and
passed IN 1920 with various amendments
since, that the term of the Executive,
Council, Secretary of State, Treasurer and
other state cfIircrs expired or Wednesday,
Jan s, ana :hu; all those Offices are now
vacant.
The questions TO the Supreme Court
will be sent TO Bangor in the morning by a
special messenger. Il is announced that
the fusioDistg will choose a Governor to-
~ 'rrow.
A rumor is rife that 4. T. Gould, of
Thomaston. telegraphed Gen. Chamber
lain saying that unless he recognized
Lamson as Governor he vas guilty of
treason.
PORTLAND, Jan 13.-Register of Pro-
bate, Caleb A. Chapelin, counted 10. and
who took his seat Jan, /, resigned to-
uay. This resignation leaves only one
counted in county officer who holds bis
seat.