The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1880-01-16
Gen. Chamberlain Refuses to Recognize the Aus

Gen. Chamberlain Refuses to Recognize the Aus
thority of Acting Governor LamSon.
AUGUsYA, ME-, January l3.-The following
orders has just been issued:
Executive DEPARTMENT,
AUGUSTA, ME., January Il.
To Joshua L. Chamberlain, Mai jor General
commanding: Having entered upon the duties
of Governor Of Maine under critical circum-
stances, it is important for me to understand
whether you are prepared to recognize my au-
thOrity US such. Respectfully,
JAMES d. LAMsON,
Governor Of the State of Maine.
iugusta, Maine, January 49,.
TO Hon. james ID. Lompson-Sr: Your in
quiry virtually calls upon me TO decide ques-
ZION of constitutional law which is matter fall
ing not at all within tlIe province OF my oepart-
mcut. The Constitution declares that the JUS
tceS of the Supreme Judicial Court shall be
Obliged TO give their opinion upon important
questions OF law and upon solemn occasions,
when required by the civil branches of the gov
crnmcmt hut.that privilege ~ not accorded to
the military department. Supported 5y de-
cision of the Court | should obey without u mo-
mcnts hesitation, but sulemnly believing That
if mt this juuciure abandon my trust there Will
be no barrier against anarchy and bloodshcd,
cannot under the present circumstances recoS-
nizc your authority as Governor of Maine.
There arc two ways of sct,liug the question
ton now at issuc--by foiowing strictly the con-
stitution and laws, or hy revolution and blood
shed. In this alternative and standing where
| must he justified by God and man, ] can only
hold fast in nv place and implore those who
| have power to do so to decide these questions
| by appeal to the peaceful course of Law.
| J. l.. CuAMpERLAlN;
| Major rGcneral
Orvillc d. Baker, counsel for the Republican
| Advisory Committee, has made report to
them in which he takes the ground that the
State has no legal or acting Governor; shat Lam
son was not legally elected President OF Il con-
stitutional Senate; that the Senate was not
legally organized body. and never had quorum,
and that the term of office OF the executive COM
mittcc, secretary of State, treasurer and other
State officers expired on Wednesday, January 8,
and all those offices are vacant.
TIE DEApLocE IL MAINE.-Augusta, Me-,
January ll.-Ebeuczcr Sproul has brought suit
against L. y. rhil!sbury, proprietor of the
.YIine StURdayd, for libel. The action is based
on an article in rill,burys paper charging
SprOul with bribery.
1t is in,imatcd tonight that the programme
of the fusonists will be to have either Eugene
Hale or Professor Young arrested 10y the
| gcInt alarms and brought to the House TO make
quorum. 1t now seems utterly impossible to
| get quorum without the aid of the Ecpubli-
| cruS, and the failure to DO 50 thus far has only
| strengthened the Republicans in their position.
The rusionsts will exhaust every means of lc-
| gally cccting the Governor and Council, but
| how such an election can be had, or how if had
it will Gc regarded 10y GEN Chamberlain, is not
known. There is u general impression that the
| members from the disfranchiscd cities will soon
| be allowed to take their seats. Prominent Fu-
siunsts applied to Gen. Chamberlain on Satur-
day for thc discharge from duiy Of tie Augusta
| police III charge of the iutc-ilousc, expressing
| the belief that the public property was not in
| danger. Gen. Chamberlain replied that If he
discharged the police he should order two com-
pamies OF militia to take their place, and the
| gentlemen thcrcupon withdrew their request.
| NEITEwAsHiNG SENATOR DlAINE.--JaHuary
| 1.-THE agent Of the Associated Press at Au-
gusta, i'll explanation Of the circumstances at
tending Mr.. Blaiuc's denial Of the charge of
completely in the bribery OF thc fuSion mem
Gcrs, says MIR. EiaincS house has been constant =
~ filled every lay FROM breakfast till midnight
with crowd OF fifty ur one hundred persons
AMI has been The general headquarters lOr Re
| publican members 0iihc Legislature. S"that i!r.
whites alleged cali There. II true is without the
Significance 1t might otherwise have La,. Mr..
White denies seeing Mir. Blaine lurin" The en-
tire day III question, except while the latter was
| passing Euvr!ciiy trOm one rOuin TO acu,Icr.