The Portland daily press., 1880-01-26


and that it was his duty under the circnm-
stances to call on them The militia was Or
ganiZed for that purpose. As to the question of
economy, it cost great deal less money than
it did to employ policemen, and it was
the only legal force we could command.
The information received from all parts of the
State led us to believe that there was an or
ganized force being prepared to come here up
ON tie orders of Smith, the fusion governor,
and through his staff acting at different points
in in the state.
Threats were made through the newspaper
of Col Blood, one of Smiths staff, to seize
the State property. Blood and a man named
Davis of Bddeford, Charming of Fairfield,
Folsom of Oldtown and Black of this city, all
ON Smith s staff, it is known were very active
in different parts of the State in organizing
men to sustain the bogus government, claim
ing that they would be the militia of the
State We have facts in our possession show
ing the orders from these men have been is
sued to our militia which were not obeyed. L
know that Governor Davis was justified in
taking the course he did by ordering the mill
tia here. The Fusion talk of a scare is all
bosh with us but reality with them as this
action has disconnected all their plans.
ITO the AssociatedPress.l
Evidence shows that there was preconcert-
ed plan to capture the State House last night,
but wise precautionary measures prevented.
The government was just twenty four hours
ahead of the conspirators. Coils. Blood and
Davis, of Smiths staff, have recruited 200 men
in Bddeford and Portland, and intended to
send them to this city by the Pullman train,
but the Governor ordered the Biddeford COM
pany to take the same train in case the Fusion
lists came, which meant to stop them there and
probably they wont come. The Fusionists
7 ricta
late tonight show they abandoned the plan.
The Governor has received congratulatory
and complimentary dispatches from the Gov
errors of Mississippi, New York and New Jer-
sey, and set of resolutions from Grant club
i'll New York. Congratulations are being re-
ceived by the Governor from all sections of
the country on sustaining free government
in Maine, and that the government vas strong
enough to sustain itself The action of the
court is warmly commended for the able de-
cision that would serve as landmarks in the
future and as bulwarks of republican govern
ment everywhere.
The presence of the military in the State
House somewhat excites the populace, who
murmur at military rules and any indications
of movement to intimidate, but if The public
were as familiar with the situation of affairs as
are Gov. Davis, Gen. Beal, Mayor Nash and
the military officials generally, there wonld not
be the least complaint, as indeed there is not
among the thinking masses. The Republi-
cans claim that it was the presence of troops
that brought the Fusionists to their senses and
induced them to refer their cause to the Su-
preme Court.
Patrols are about town, watching carefully
suspicious movements, and good men are post
ed in every town to give instant information
in case of any suspicious movement The
public may rest assured that the military and
executive are both in readiness for any move
ments that may transpire.
A runner, who has just passed through
Maine, says that he sold to parties in Augusta
two hundred reyolvers and fifty Springfield
rifles.
AUGUSTA, Jan. 25.-The Governor and Gen.
Beal had the fullest justification for placing
troops in the State House, las information every
day received is to the effect that the fusionists
are making preparations for an attack. The
list of the company enlisted in Augusta, con-
tanning 100 names, has neen obatined. Mem
bers of Smiths staff had enlisted men in Bid
deford and at Lewiston. Documentary and
other evidence sustaining these statements will
be brought before the legislative committee
on the subject. The aggregate number of men
raised for this purpose is about $500. The
first orders that were issued by the so-caled
Gov. Smith were to call out three companies
Of militia. The reports of fusion movements
were duly authenticated. Even A. p Gould
of Thomaston, who had been the legal advisor
of Gov. Garcelon, had advised Smith to stand
by his position regardless of the opinion of the
court. The following letter was written by
Mr.. Goald to Smith on PRONUNCIATION of the
decision of the court:
THoMAsToN, Jan. $780,
Dear Governor-I am too sick to go to you.
The opinion is not worthy of respect. 1t is SO
partisan that all our people will denounce it.
We might just as we'll have no constitution if
this opinion is sound advise you to pay no
attention. to it. 1t is not worthy of it. Let
your action stand. The whole matter is now
before the legislature. This opinion will then
be properly examined and answered. Protect
all who hold your summons in their right to
seats in the chambers of the House and SEN
ate. l am too sick to write more, having been
awake all night in pain.
(Sgned) A. z. GOULD.
The Associatiated Press reporter must be in
error. This letter bears conclusive internal
evidence of having been addressed to Garce-
lon, not Smith.
From all the evidence adduced the authori-
ties took the precautionary measures that have
been taken and called upon the only force the
State had at its command People of the
State would have held them to account had
they permitted the State House to be captured
through any laxity on their part. The military
is under perfect discipline and comfortably
quartered at the State House. Religious SER
vices were held there this afternoon; preach
ing by Rev. Mr.. Tilden.
Letters are constantly flowing in upon the
Governor from legislatures, various organiza-
tons and leading men in different parts of the
country, sending congratulations and uphold
ing tho opiAion of the court and that it would
have weight, not only in the State but through
out the country. He received to-day letters
from the Governors of Illinois and Minnesota
The following will be the routine of garri-
son duty at the State House until further Or
ders; a. NJ, reveille; 7.30 a. M, breakfast;
1890 p. M; dinner; 6 p. m. supper; p. M,
guard mounting; OPP M, tattoo; $50 p. M.
tapS