New-York tribune., 1880-01-06
Tile SITUATTON IN MINE.

The Maine controversy has passed through
so many phases since the country was first
astounded with the news of the contingent
that many have no doubt forgotten the exact
relations OF the two political parties I'D the
Legislature, and the grounds on which Is
based the hope of preventing the consumma-
ton of this shameful fraud. 1t will do no
harm to recount these facts briefly, inasmucb
as the Legislature meets, and the struggle
begins, tomorrow.
The Legislature OF Maine, which runs to odd
numbers. consists of 81 Senators and 15l
REPRESENTATIVES. Upon the popular vote last
Fall the Republicans clearly elected 10 SeDa-
tors, the Opposition 12; giving the Republi-
cans a majority of z. To the House the
Republicans elected 80 members, the
Opposition 81; giving the Republicans n
majority of 29 and majority on joint ballot
of SO. Governor Garcelon and his official ac-
completes counted out eight Republican Sena-
tors and filled their places with Fuslonlsts,
giving the latter 20 Senators, and the
Republicans H. This gave the Fusionists a
majority of 8 in the Senate. In the
House 20 Republicans were counted out,
and in II cases their places were filed with
Republicans, while in II cases vacancy was
declared This caused the House to stand as
follows: Fusionists 7S; Republicans, 81
vacancies l2j FusiOnlst majority, II; Flu
siopst majority on joint ballot. 26.
quorum of the Senate. it has been de
cided by the courts, Is sixteen. AS the
Fusionists have twenty Senators. it would be
necessary in order to prevent the Organiza-
ton of that body in the interest of fraud.
that five of them should decline to serve
in the places which the Supreme Court
has said do not belong TO them. or
should act with the Republicans. Two
counted-in Senators declared before the
decision OF the Court that they should not ac-
cept their seats in the face of an adverse de-
cision; but nothing has been definitely stated
before or since the decision to warrant the
expectation that there will be as many as live
Senators of this mind. But in the House
the margin is narrower and the pros
pect of popular triumph 30 much
the greater Seventy-six members consti-
tute a quorum; the Fusionists, including
both those honestly and those dishonesty
elected. number 7S. If three of the counted
in members have the manliness to refuse to
profit by crime, and adhere to this position,
the Republicans, by aDsenting themselves and
causipg these members to follow their ex-
ample. can prevent the organization OF the
House. The d. patches this morning represent
that there are fire Fusionists who can be
depended upon to stay out but it is not dis
t;nct,v stated whether these are all mem
hers of the House, or include some members
of the Senate. But to prevent the organlza-
ton of the House will be only tbe beginning
Of the struggle though the Republicans are
now hopeful that they will be in conGrol of
both branches of the Legislature oy Thursday
night.
There are many contingencies 20 be consid-
cred. however The courts have decided that
the House can compel the attendance of mem
hers declared elected as well before they are
sworn IN as after. 1t may be also that some
of the Fusionist members who are now
coupted against the fraud will give
way to the pressure of party opinion.
For it is certain that that pressure
will be brought The Governor declares
that the fraudulent certificates OF election
cannot now be constitutonally recalled. and
t.e wish is father to the belief. A number
of the counted-out Republicans have demanded
the,r certificates, but it is certain
that they will not receive them. Evil
IDENTIFY the contest will be fought out
within the Legislature. In this strange condition
of affairs. the issue must be doubtful; but
the country Will put its faith in the strength
that always belongs to the right, and in the
| American reverence for the solemn decision
OF court.