Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-01-17
the gift of his fraudulency, R. B. H., to gain
votes, if he did not actually pay money for
such aid
THE SITUATION IN MAINE.

THE SITUATION IN MAINE.
Tho State government of Maine was re-
stored yesterday by the election of q gov
ernor and council BY the legally constituted
legislature, according to the forms and in
the spirit of the State constitution. There
would be no doubt of this ending tho con-
fusion in which the elements of that govern
ment have lately been involved we're it not
that the Republican minority of the State,
as represented byi its leaders, is engaged in
revolutionary attempt to reverse the con-
stltutional and legal proceedings
of the late governor and ooun-
Gil and the present legislature. In
this attempt these Republican leaders are
relying partly upon their possession of most
of the mediums of communication with the
people of the State and of other States, but
mainly upon q court which has within .
month, in their interest, denied al its form
or opinions and reversed all its former de-
cisions upon the contested legal and con-
stitutionsl questions.
1t is evidently the purpose of Gen. Cham
berlin-to whom, as commander of the
militia, the late governor committed the
charge Of preserving public order during
the interregnum between the expiration of
his term of Office and the election of his sue
cessor-to force Governor Smith to submit
the validity of his election and, with it, the
authority Of the legislature. az constituted, to
the dictum of a court which VIGOROUSLY be-
longs, unanimously, brains and body, to the
party which has made it what it is. But
Gen. Chsmberlin, though strong Repub-
lican ani thereby Influenced to his detsrmi-
nation not to yield up the States authority
placed in his hands for . temporary occa-
sion, except upon the order of this court, is
nevertheless man of honor, having such
regard for his personal reputation, that we
might have been sure, without his procla-
nation of yesterday, that he would not
countenance an attempt Of tho Republican
revolutionists to seize and hold by force the
States capitol and archives. We are will
ing to believe that Gen. Chamberlin wants to
be manly, honest and just. The mistake
into which his craftsmanship has led him, is
the assertion of his right, when the appa-
rently lawful civil government of the State
has been reorganized, to delay his submits
sion to it until the courts have confirmed its
claims. For his authority is an anomaly,
having no legality whatever,-an accident to
be put away as soon as possible-and the ex-
ecutive and legislative organizations of the
government are not to be subordinated in
any form, manner or time, to the
military power, which is but an arm
of the executive authority, much less to the
judiciary, which is but creature of the leg
islative power. The legislature is sole
and supreme in authority - to its own con-
stitution. The executive branch of the gov
eminent of Maine, failing an election by the
people, must be organized by the legislature,
and the recognition of the legislature ends
all possibility of contest without revolution.
But the rebellion in Maine Is limited to
methods which, though revolutionary, are
not warlike. 1t depends upon . partisan
court and bribery. Gen. Chsmberlin may be
The unconscious tool of thu rebsla, but he is
their tool in endeavoring to force the State
government, supported by majority of the
people, to place itself in position which
will require it to abdicats its powers ut the
order of court composed of its political OPP
ponents-as intensely political as ever was
any legislative body or party caucus, and no
more likely to give an unbiased interpreta-
ton in this case-of tho law and constitution
than would be Jim Blaine or Hannibal Ham
lin.
We trust and believe that Gov. Smith and
his council, sustained by the legislature, will
proceed with the discharge of their official
duties, leaving the Republican rebels solely
responsible for whatever distractions may
be placed in the way of the State govern
ment; that the legislature, having duly re-
organized the State government, will con-
and into the frauds and errors of the late
election, purging itself of illegally elected
members, and considering what legislation
may be necessary to improve the election
laws of the State; and that only at the
last, when it has waited long
enough to demonstrate beyond cavil it's for
bsaring patience and desire to avoid harsh
ness, will the civil government lay hold
upon Gen. Chamberlin and quietly unlock
his epaulettes. As for Blaine, Rsmlin and
their court, their utteranoes are alike for
popular effect but void of force. The formal
and legally constituted government of the
State need not fall before such blasts of
wind.
BAY4RDS BUQBELR.
Senator Baysrd's resolution or bill de-
priving the currency of the United States of
its legal tender quality has already been rel