Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-01-14
The Maine UsurpatlOn.

and shameful methods. Equally in disre
gard of all rights and in defiance of all par
liamentary law, they carried their point by
sheer brute force. The scenes in the houst
on Wednesday were disgraceful in the ex
treme. The roll was called by Assistant
Clerk Gibbs; and Ex Congressman Hale, who
was elected a member of the house, did hi.
best to induce the members to admit the
twelve representatives of the DISTINGUISHED
cities, but was ruled out of order. The
clerk also ruled that motion to adjourn was
out of order, whereupon Hale leaped upon a
bench and amid the greatest confusion put
the question himself. This was followed by
the departure of every Republican member
from the room except Hale, who remained
to still farther confuse and resist the usurp-
ers. They, however, carried out their plans
in spite of his efforts. The governor was
called in to administer the oath, and de-
clared that seventy-six-the number neces-
sary to make a quorum-were present and
qualified. The house consists altogether Of
one hundred and fifty-one members. A
quorum requires seventy.six. Certificates
were issued to seventy-seven Fusionists, and
it is known that three were absent. That
left but seventy-four, and Eugene Hale, the
one Republican on guard made seventyfve
That was one short of a quorum. The vote
on speaker showed total of only seventy
two, and on clerk of seventy-four. Thus
there was no quorum at any time. Every
act was illegal, as will unquestionably be
shown by the decision of the supreme court,
whose clearly-expressed opinion the fusion
lists have thus aagrantly trampled under
their feet The governor, while administer
ing the oath of office, was Kissed and cheered,
and scene Of Babel-like confusion followed.
Garcelon's term of office expired on We'd
nesday, and as the Legislature did not select
successor, the president of the senate is
acting-governor. He, however, refused to
administer the oath to the Republican men,
bers of the house who did not qualify be-
fore Garcelon, on the ground that they must
qualify before the governor and council,
and there being no council that act cannot
be performed. As the house now stands,
therefore, there is no quorum of qualified
members, and nothing can be done. Not
even can there be an election of state off.
GERS. How the problem will be solved is one
OF the mysteries for the present. General
Chamberlain, who commands the militia of
the state, has assumed custody of the state
property, by virtue of an order issued by
Governor Garcelon just before his term ex-
pired, and has issued notice to that eff
feet, SO that Maine is virtually under the
control of military governor, and will be
till an executive is chosen and qualified.
To add to the excitement aud perplexity
two of the members of the house have made
affidavit that they were paid $1,000 each by
one Daniel r. White, prominent Republi
can, to resign their certificates before that
body assembled. But he denies it stoutly,
and says he shall demand full investiga
ton when they have legally constituted
legislature.
On Monday the oaths of office were ad-
ministered to Mr.. Lamson, as acting gov.
ernor, before sixteen senators and not over
sixty-five representatives. Thereupon Gen
eral Chamberlain issued an order directing
all military organizations and all persons
liable to military service to obey no orders
coming from any person other than himself. |
1t is claimed that General Chamberlain will
refuse to recognize the Fusionist govern.
ment, and SO a conflict of authority seems
inevitable. In this grave exigency it is
some consolation to know that General Cham
berlain is conceded to be both brave and
wise man.
P. S.-Monday evening brought radical
change in the programme BY precon-
certed movement the Republican members
elect (entited to seats under the late opinion
OF the supreme courD took possession of the
state house, and proceeded to organize the
legislature. In the senate, jeremiah Ding
ley, Jr., called to order and Austin Harris
was called to the chair. Prayer was offered
by the Rev. DIR. Butler, member of the
house. Charles Turner, assistant secretary
senators responded to the call quorum
was announced present, all being Repub-
licans, who proceeded to qualify, the oath
being administered by William Stratton.
Andrew Smith was declared the senator
from Lincoln county on the face of the re-
turns. Joseph Locke was chosen president,
receiving all the votes thrown-nineteen.
Charles Tilden was chosen secretary. The
following resolution was passed at is
ordered that committee consisting of three
members of the senate be appointed by the
president to report to the senate for its
action, whether the senate shall call upon
the justices of the supreme court for their
opinion touching the legal organization of
the senate for the fifty-ninth legislature,
aud report for the action of the senate such
questions as the law aud facts require in the
premises"
The members of the house were called TO
order by Hale. Wentworth of Kittery was
made temporary chairman, and Ormandal
Smith, clerk, who called the roll of mem.
bers elect. All the Republicans responded
but the fusionists did not Eighty-fve mem.
bers of the house responded to the call and
were qualified by William Stratton, clerk of
the court of Kennebec county. Subse-
quently six members who were by the face
of the returns elected, on account of defects
which were amended under the law of 1877,
were admitted by resolution. George Weeks
of Augusta was elected speaker. After the
organization Hale offered similar resolu-
ton to that passed by the senate. In offer
ing the resolution, Hale spoke of the ex.
traordinary circumstances under which they
met. lie said the object of the organiza
ton was to settle vital objections affecting
the organization of the legislature and state
government. Hale's resolution was adopted
unanimously and the committee duly APP
pointed. The house will obey the decision
of the court.
The national temperance society has re-
Gently urged the board of education of New
York city to adopt the Temperance Lesson
Book" by DIR. b. w. Richardson of London,
as one Of their text books. They have &C.
cordingly voted to place it upon their "Sup.