Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-01-17
REPUBLICAN
UNSEATED.
FREAK III The FUSION
RANKS.
ELECTION OF A SHAM GOV
ERNOR AND STATE
OFFICERS.
NO DANGER OF COLLISION At THE STATE
HOUSE TO-DAY.

nOUSC IO-Onus
The first rumor afloat yesterday was brought
M hy the dummy from Gardiner, that the
Richards Light Infantry had received orders
at ) \. NJ. to report at their armory at
o'clock in full dress. 1t was then conceded
bv the fusionists that they were going to elect
and qualify Smith for Governor and thus
cause a collision between him and Gen.
Chamberlain: accordingly it was thought that
this precaution was taken in case of an emer-
gency.
The crowds who were in the city began to
move towards the
state House
at an early hour, there if possible TO witness
the scenes of the day. But the orders issued
Thursday by Mayor Nash had the desired eff
feet. and only small and gentlemanly audi
ence secured admission.
The First Business
of TIE day was to listen to the report of the
election committee on unseating DIR. Butler
of Nassalboro. The impartis. Dickey at
tempted 10 IOTtc tus iheHSutt
ont giving the reasons for such an act, when
it was objected TO. Then upon the motion of
reconsideration. Dickey explained in the
most partizan manner why Murray should
be seated. He acted more the part Of Council
defending a client than Il chairman of an i'm
partial examining committee, and simply
told the facts upon one side Of the question,
without stating single argument in favor
of Butler. Having previously canvassed the
House and, us they said. found &c members
present, the vote was then considered as
conclusive, and resulted in titty-five voting
to unseat Butler and three voting in the
negative.
Nash and Flye
on every subsequent motion refused to act
with the tusionists, and for such an honor
able course secured the rdicule of the leading
conspirators upon the floor.
They were accused openly of having been
tempered with and of being bought OFT.
The qualifying of Murray gave the fusion
lists the necessary quorum which they desired
Elect their State Officers,
and papers from the Senate announced that
the gubernatorial vote had been canvassed. so
that Immediately the discussion commenced
whether they should elect their Governor
at once or wait. Ingalls, of Wiscasset
arose and with a short but forcble speech adj
vocated that they pause and consider the
matter further ''Thcrc were strong reasons
why the motion should pass, he said, ''few
still stronger why it should not" These but
and well chosen words had not the slightest
weight with men already prepared to act and
the speech of Plaisted seemed to voice the SEN
timent of the majority of the fusionists 1t
was one OF the most inhammatory that des-
peratc man could give. His vocabulary of
epithcts seemed to fail him when he spoke of
Gen. Chamberlain and Mayor Nash and
scowled at the inoffensive visitors in the
gallery. Bribery, fraud and intimidation
were few of the accusations against the
republicans. At one moment inveighing
against his opponents he would defy them
and their power, at the next he would en-
tangle himself in some figure of speech. as
for instance, when referring to Mr. Blaine. he
spoke Of the distinguished gentleman in the
little cottage under the knoll" His criticism
of the republicans introduced him into
the bloody part of his Grafton. They
had made three great mistakes; first. in
thinking the fusirnists were dishonest. second.
ly that they lacked ability, and lastly that they
wanted courage. If one should Judge from
his remark, single handed he was WILLING to
hgh the whole republican party. II would
be useless to devote more words TO sucb RI.
marks though spoken in little better lanou,oo
throughout they resembled the furious talk Of
some OF Capt. Blacks slnms. Yet it seemed
Just what was needed to reach the mult;tudo
for when the vote was taken the maior;tv of
the votes were in favor of electing a povernor
The votes which were distributed had ,b,.
names of Smith and Garcelon upon them
probably the latter was mentioned becanse b..
had served the party so well in the past Th.
manner in which they
"'e" Tor Their Governor and Council. |
illustrates their mode of proceeding az
well that it would be worth while r., |
give an account of it. In the first nI.c,. I,
1t was asserted that - members wer..
present; practical impossibility, for only n
'usionists act with them and with the two rece,,
y counted in their number is only II. But
THIS assertion was made because they knew tho, |
two at least of their number would not co.on
crate with them. 1t is stated by persons win,
watched those whom the fusionists could M,
lfus' 'ha' m'ee OF them did not vote, thus re-
'"cins the majority to "a. The returns of the
committee sho~ed that 7G exactly had voted
HON was this accomplished: Why. the com.
niftee in the most Unprecedented manner
passed the ballot boxes among the mon .na
'eeeiVed votes from as many, and in such
iuonf'f'ss as they desired. Last wear ..,,.