The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1880-01-15
THE TROUBLES IN MAINE.


Greenback-L Labor Party will be held at Chi
cago on the 9th of June next.
THE TROUBLES IN MAINE.
Thomas B. Swan Of Minat and Moses Har-
riman Of Kennebunk, Fusion members elect
of the Maine Legislature, on the 9th made
affidavit that they had been approached by
Republican agents and offered money if they
would sign certain papers disappearing Of
the action of the Governor and Council and
refusing to accept seats in the House; that
in order to unmask this attempt at bribery,
they say, after consultation with friends,
they decided to and did accept the money
offered, which was $1,000 apiece; and that it
was stated to one of them that enough Flu
sion members had been induced to stay away
so as to prevent quorum being present.
The Maine Legislature formally organized
on the 9TH. In the House, Assistant Clerk
Gibbs called the certified roll of members,
and rs answered to their names. Eugene
Hale, Republican, stated that the names of
certain elected members were not on the
roll, and moved that they be included,
Objections were made, and the
Clerk refused to put the mo-
ton, whereupon the Republicans, with
the exception of Hale, withdrew in body.
Upon notification that the House was then
ready to organize, Governor Garcelon APP
peared and qualified the members. He an
nounced that rs members, being quorum,
had taken and subscribed the necessary
oath, and were regularly and duly consti-
tuted the House of Representatives. This
announcement wss received with applause
from the outside. Governor Garcelon
said he would now put into their hands
the opinion of the Supreme Court
as well as the petition of the gentlemen from
certain cities claiming seats, and invoked
their careful consideration of the same.
Three Fusionists, Sproul, Voter and Snow,
refused to participate in the proceedings.
The House then completed its organization
by the election of John G. Talbot as Speak
er and Wingate T.. Gibbs as Clerk. The Sem
ate organized by the election of Fusion Off
GERS. The State house was densely packed
with spectators, but no disturbance oc-
Cured.
The Maine Republicans assert that the
published affidavits of Swan and Harrim an,
declaring that money was paid Fusion men,.
bers of the Legislature to prevent a quorum
from appearing, are unsupported by evil
dence, and challenge the opposition to pro-
duce the names of the Republicans alleged
to have paid the money.
No event of Importance occurred in the
Maine Legislature on the Sth, further than
the appointment of joint select committee
to investigate the alleged bribery and intim-
idation of members. Mr.. Hale announced
in the House that the Republican members
were now ready to be sworn in, but the
Governor not being present the House ad-
journeG.
At the opening of the Senate on the 9th
but one Republican took his seat-Locke of
Cumberland. In the House not single
Republican was present, and therefore no
quorum. Swan of Minat arose and made a
statement that 81 900 had been paid him not
to appear at the organization of the Legis-
lature. Wallace r. White of Win
threp was the man who paid him
The money. Mr.. Swan produced a draft
which he said he had purchased with the
81, 900 as soon as it came into his possession,
and which he now declared himself ready to
claim upon it. A similar statement was
made by Hartman of Kennebunk, who dis
played the bills he had received. Clark
of Nobleboro said he had been approached
for the same purpose Blaine pub
lished a card denying unequivocally the re-
ports that he was concerned in or had any
knowledge of any attempt to bride mem
bers Of the Legislature.-The official
term Of Gov. Garcelon having expired
by limitation, during the inter-
regnum Gen. Chamberlain, Command
erin Chief of the military forces, tempora-
rily assumed the direction of affairs in
cident to the protection of State property.
The President of the Senate announced
that there being no vacancy in the Office of
Governor such as is contemplated by the
Constitution, ne had no authority to assume
the Governors prerogative of swearing in
members. .gfft 3a 0 l.f9
Neither house of the Legislature had
quorum on the 10th, and after brief sessions
both adjourned till Monday.-James d.
Lamison, President of the Senate, announced
that he had assumed the duties of
Governor to- fill the present vacancy
LII tnaI oIhce, as aliInorlZeu anu required
by law.-Wallace r. White, charged by Swsn
and Hartman with paying them $1,000 each
for purposes of bribery, published a. card
declaring the charges absolutely, unquali-
fiedly and maliciously false" so far
as they referred to him. He declines, how
ever, to. be investigated by the present
House of Representatives, whom he terms
the SEQ -conspirators of Swan and Harri-
man."