The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1880-01-13

Governor and Council to those net chosel
were not legal and the acts passed by suci
O body would not be recognized by th'
courts or obeyed by the people.
Messrs. Barker and Strickland replied
claiming that to all intents and purposes
this Is q legal legislature. the member
holding certificates from the Governor
and Council. They meant, as honorable
gentlemen, TO do the fair thing when thu
Investigation should take place before thu
proper committee Of the Legislature.
The Joint Convention was formed ant
in the presence OF the Secretary OF STATE
and several members OF the Council Johr
B. Lamson took the oath and was pro
claimed the acting Governor OF the State
There were but sixty members present
in the House and 1t adjourned without
transacting any business.
THE REPUBLICANS TAKE POSSESSION OF TIL
STATE HOUSE.
AUGUSTA, January l2.-At twenty min
utes to six this evening the Republican
members Of the Senate and House OF Rep
resentatiyes proceeded to the State House
for the purpose Of organizing the Legisla'
ture. The movement was entirely un'
known to the Fusionists, and but few Re-
publicans outside OF the immediate mem,
bers were aware Of the position OF affairs.
The news that the Republicans had taken
possession OF the State House spread rap
idly and caused great rejoicing among the
Republicans who have been impatient to
have just this result brosght about. Mr..
Lamson, President Of the Senate, when he
saw the people assembling, proceeded to
Gen. Chamberlin's headquarters and ex-
citedly said: 81 protest against these men
coming in" The General informed Lam.
son that he should permit the men to come
in and stay as long as they pleased. There
was no forcible resistance whatever. The
halls were lighted by the minor officers OF
the previous Legislature, familiar with the
premises, who took hold and rendered
their assistance.
In the Senate Hon. jeremiah Dingley,
Jr., called the meeting to order and Austin
Harris was called to the chair. Prayer was
offered by Rev. DR.. Butler, member Of
the House, and Charles W. Turner, As
sistant Secretary OF the last Senate called
the roll and eighteen Senators responded
to the call. A quorum was announced
present, all being Republicans, who pro-
ceeded to qualify, the oath being admins.
tered by Hon. VIM. NJ. Stratton. Andrew
R. S. Smith was declared Senator from
Lincoln county on the face OF tho returns.
Jos. A. Locke was chosen President, re-
ceiving all votes thrown-19. Charles w.
Tilden was chosen Secretary, and George
L. Bracket, OF Belfast, Assistant Secretary.
The following order was passed: Order
ed that q committee consisting OF three
Of the Senate be appointed BY
the President 10 report to 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 seth Legislature, and re-
port for the action OF the Senate such
questions as law and facts require in the
premises.
WHAT THE HOUSE DID.
The members OF the House were called
to order by Mr.. Hale. Mr.. Wentworth,
Of Kit.ery. was made temporary Chair
man, and Mr.. Smith Clerk, who called
the roll OF the members elect. All the
responded, but the Fusion
lists did not. Eighty.fve members Of the
House responded to the call and were
qualified by William Strattor, Clerk OF
the Court Of Kennebec county. Subse-
quently six members who were not by
the face OF the returns elected on account
OF defects, which were amended under
the law OF 1877, were admitted by reso-
luton submitted by Mr.. Strout. Geo. E.
Weeks, OF Augusta, was elected Speaker.
After organization Mr.. Hale offered
similar resolution to that passed by the
Senate, calling for the appointment Of a
to request the opinion OF the
Supreme Judicial Court as to the legality
OF the organization OF the House. In
making his resolution Mr.. Hale spoke OF
the extraordinary circumstances under
which they met, and said the object OF the
organization was to settle the question
affecting the organization OF the House
and the State government The House
will obey the decision OF the Court.
THE BRIBERY CHARGES.
The House Committee to inyesti-
gate the charges Of attempted bribery, met
in the Representatives hall. H. R. White
was summoned to appear, but did not res.
pond heIdeclined to recognize the author
ity Of tue committee. Swan and Hartman
reiterated the substance OF their affidavits
and statements in the House, with some
additional particulars. Swan said he first
learned Of bribery through ]. o. White, q
relation OF FL. r. White.
solon Chase testified that Swan called
on him at midnight on 9th inst, at the
residence OF his cousin, v. B. Chase, and
consulted him in regard to the transaction
and drew up a statement that he was 60
ing to take the $1,000 and promise to do
what he was asked to, for the sake OF ex-
posing the transaction. Chase advised him
TO go ahead. 1t appeared that no other.
parties witnessed the transaction in either
case.
Hartman testified that he at first hesi-
tated about going into the business, but
after consulting Cove and others, con-
cluded to do SO. The investigation will be
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