The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1880-01-24
THE CAPITAL GUARDS AND
GARDINER LIGHT IN
PANTRY IN THE
STATE HOUSE.
The Auburn Light Infantry
on their Way.
THE CONSPIRATORS TO BE
= HUNTED DOWN AND
PUNISHED.

AUGUSTA, Jan. 23-It is the general opinion
that matters are in more critical condition
than they have been for some time. 1t seems
a lull just before a storm. There are suspicious
circumstances which lead to the alarm, in the
crowds of men collecting at various points and
from information received from abroad. The
warrant for this alarm lies in the continuance
of the organization of the Fuficnists, the
raising of money to sustain them in their
action, the activity of Maj. J. L. Smith, the
holding out of Sawyer who claims to be the
Secretary of State, the drilling of secret clans
of armed men, the incendiary talk of the
Decentralization Chronicle of Auburn that
the State House must be taken though it costs
a thousand lives, and other evidence that am
not at liberty to state.
Those who imagine the Fusonlsts are mac
tive and have abandoned their cause are labor
ing under mistake. While the government
is not alarmed, they fully grasp the situation
and will make the State House perfectly im-
pregnable. The first military company that
ever entered the State House marched in at
midnight tonight-the Capital Guards. Pills
bury, Blood, Charming and others are known
to be enrolling men in every county in the
State. Men are collected in the country towns
ready for j. L. Smiths call. Capt. Black, of
Augusta is drilling men in Augusta nightly.
Mayor Nash addressed the following note to
Gov. Davis tonight, in view of the threatening
attitude Of persons hostile to the present gov
eminent of the State:
feel constrained to say to your Excellency
that fear my civil police force will be unable
to sufficiently protect the public property at
the capital, or even possession OF the building
itself, against such force as the public enc
mics seem to be willing and able to bring
against it.
(Signed) CHAs. e, NASH.
From consultation with the military author
tiles, Gov. Davis became fully convinced of
the gravity of the situation, and that the posi-
ton of Mayor Nash is perfectly sound. He
has therefore ordered to the State House the
Capital Guards and the Richards Light Infan-
try. who at one o'clock this morning were
there. The Auburn Light Infantry will leave
that place for the capital at 2 O'Clock this
morning, and other military force will be
brought here if necessary. Information of the
operation of the Fusionsts comes from reliable
men in each county. The design is to take
the State House Pillsbury's last hope. Tne
honest country members of the Fusion Legisla-
.ara have seen aeooivod by sthesscounted IN
members. The prompt action of Gov. Davis
will avoid trouble. The conspirators are to be
hunted down if it takes all the force at Davis
command. Men are known to be ready at the
call of Smith from Lincoln and Somerset
counties, who are to take sleighs across the
country. The prompt attention of Col. Peakes
prevented movements in Piscataquis county.
GARDINER, Jan. M.-Richards Light Infan-
try, located in this city, received marching
orders about II p. M, Capt Berry, formerly
on Gen. Chamberlain's staff, coming down
from the State House. The company left for
Augusta in teams at 1880 a. m. Capt Berry
being interviewed, declined giving any infor-