The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1880-01-10
EgY TELEGRAPH.
THE CAPITOL.
GEN. CHAMBERLAIN ASSUMES
SUPREME COMMAND.
The Council Turned Out and
The Chamber. Locked Up.
THE GENERAL REFUSES TO
RECOGNIZE LAMSON AS
ACTING GOVERNOR.
The Fusionists in a Sad d.
lemma.
THEIR MEMBERS REFUSED
PAY BY THE STATE
TREASURER.
Representative SprouI ito Sue
PiIIsbury for Libel.
No Quorum in the House and No
| Business Transacted.
THEIR MEMBERS REFUSED
PAY BY THE STATE
TREASURER.
Representative SprouI ito Sue
PiIIsbury for Libel.
No Quorum in the House and No
Business Transacted.
Especial Despatch to the Press

Especial Despatch to the Press
AUGUSTA, Jan. 9.-Long before the Legisla-
ture convened this forenoon crowds of people
occupied the rotunda and lined the stairways
leading to the halls of legislation. AT about
quarter to ten o'clock there were certain sus-
picious movements on the part of Mark Har-
den, the messenger of the late Governor and
Council. lie was seen to come out of the
Council Room with a package, which he de-
posted i'll closet, and which might have con-
tanned the returns of the September election
OF IL 1Hishs-h"Ss ~antained ''plunder and
| booty" AS he aid all other,HS,.-~had any,
| piri-s do with the Council Chamber were g
der surveillance, all his movements were
carefully noted.
Gen. Chamberlain Assumes Control.
AT an early hour Gen. Chamberlain vas in
formed by persons representing both political
parties that coup de main was to be attempt
ed In order to bring test question upon him
to see whether he would recognize pretended
Governor or another organization of the Legis-
lature. Gen. Chamberlain at once made ar
rangements to arrest all parties in the act or at
titude of breaking the peace. Learning that
there were unauthorized persons in the Execu-
tive Chamber and Council room, and that the
public archives therein were in danger of mo-
lestation, and having reason to apprehend
that public occupation of those chambers
might be attempted, he proceeded without any
delay in person to them and ordered all per-
sons he found there to their proper places. At
ter the Executive Chamber was vacated he
locked the door and took possession of the key.
He gave permission to retiring Councillors to
adjust the papers remaining in their desks and
to remove private property. He then placed a
guard detailed from the Augusta police force
at the door with orders to admit no person
whatsoever to go in or come out without Gen.
Chamberlains written order or personal pres
ence
About this time there waAgreat excitement
for a while among the throng in the rotunda.
Gen. Chamberlain appeared before the crowd
and enjoined all persons present to keep the
peace and to make no forcible movements to-
wards any of the public rooms He told them
that all persons who had business by right or
courtesy would be allowed to pass to all public
rooms except those which he had felt it neces-
sary to close to protect the archives. He fur
ther called upon all citizens to be patient, as
surfing them that all their rights should be re-
spected and every privilege given them which
the nature of the situation would allow.
In the midst of this excitement Lamson,
President of the Senate, sent for Gen. Cham
berlain in great haste and excitement, and
shortly afterwards was seen to hold long and
earnest conversation with the General. The
purport of this talk was not understood by the
crowd who INDUCED in all sorts of surmises and
speculations afterwards, while all sorts of sem
sational reports respecting what was happen
ing were sent over the wires.
Gen. Chamberlain Refuses TO Recognize
LamSon.
The object of Lamson's interview with Gen.
Chamberlain was to ask him whether he
Lamson, could safely assume the Office of
Governor. AT any rate the hero of Little
Round Top was heard to tell him in firm and
decided tone of voice that he could not recog-
nize him officially as acting Governor, or as
President Of the Senatei He would recognize
him as Senator-elect and, at present, only in
that capacity.
Lamson appeared to acquiesce perfectly in
Gen. Chamberlain's decision. He then apollo
gized to the General for not coming to his Of
flee, but stated that he did not dare to leave
the Senate.
Gen. Chamberlain's Arrangements.
This forenoon throngs of citizens called at
the Generals headquarters, asking and urging
all manner of things. Under the circumstan-
ces it is wonder how he was able to main
tain his usual composure. Finally he was
obliged to put guard at his door so that he
oht ha hla to mt
siblities resting upon his shoulders in the pres
ent critical juncture. He has perfectly orga-
nized his systems of communication, both with
the military and the judicial powers 1t is
evident that he does not intend to be caught |
mapping. Gen. John Marshall Brown of Port
land and Col. j. W. Spaulding of Richmond,
two Of the ablest officers of his staff, reached
here to-day at his Geographic request
Gen. Chamberlains command of the situa- |
ton is perfect. Apprehending that an at
tempt might be made to order the militia over |
his head he is sending orders directing military
organizations to beware how they recognize |
any other authority than his own, which is
supreme until there is q legal Governor to be |
qualified! He has peremptorily dismissed all |
persons pretending to be in SER
vice about the State House, of whom there |
was one of the greatest crowd of bummers ever
collected on the same surface of territory The |
hummer guard was sent off so quietly that they |
could scarcely realize that their occupation |
was gone.
Up to the present time Gen. Chamberlain
has ordered no military force whatever to
move, but rests the entire protection of the
nil ri in ha bon Of
police force, sufficient number being detailed
for duty in the State House. Gen. Chamber
ain is determined to settle matters under the
civil order and in accordance with forms of
aw, rather than to resort to his privilege of
putting everything under martial discipline.
Gen. Chamberlain feels that there is law md
authority enough for the qualification of a
egal Governor. Our citizens need not fear
hat there is any likelihood that military force
will be resorted to. The moral force of the
present dispositions he has made will be ample
20 protect the peace Of the State.
The Council Chamber Locked.
Under special orders issued to-day by Gen.
Chamberlain, the Council Chamber and the
legislative halls as soon as vacated were locked,
md will so remain until tomorrow morning
1t 0 o'clock, and sufficient guard has been
placed over them. Gen. Brown has been
charged with the duty of examining the
several public rooms with view to their secu-
rity, and by Gen. Chamberlains authority he
mas made arrangements for guards tonight as
deemed necessary for the protection of public
property. At the request of State Treasurer
White vigilant force was furnished for the
Of the treasury AT 8 o'clock this