The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1880-01-16
Gen. Chamberlain Refuses to Recognise the Aus
thority of Acting GoYerntr Lamson.

6en Cnamperlaih hetubeS 70 neCoBnizo INC nVe
thority of Acting Governor Lamson.
AUGUSTA, ME-, January 13.-The following
orders has just been issued:
ExECUTIvE DEPARTMENT,
AUGUSTA, Me-, January r.
To Joshua l.. Chamberlain, Major, General
commanding: Having entered upon the duties
of Governor of Maine under critical crcum-
stances, it is important for me to understand
whether you are prepared to recognize my au-
thority as such. Respectfully,
JAMES ID. LAMsoN,
Governor of the State of Maine.
Augusta, Maine, January 49,.
To Hon. james ID. Lampson-Sir: Your in
quiry virtually calls upon me 10 decide a ques-
lion of constitutional law which is matter fall
ing not at all within tire province of my depart
ment. The Constitution declares that tho JUS
tces of the Supreme Judicial Court shall be
obliged TO give their opinion upon important
questions OF law and upon solemn occasions,
when required by the civil branches of the gov
ernment. butthat privilege is not accorded TO
the military department. Supported by de-
cision of the Court should obey without mo-
ments hesitation, but solemnly believing that
if at this junc,ure abandon my trust there will
be no barrier against anarchy and bloodshed, l
cannot under the present circumstances recog-
nize your authority as Governor of Maine.
There two ways of scttliug the question
ton now at issue-by following strictly the con-
shed. In this alternative, and standing where
| must be justified by God and man, l can only
hold fast in my place and implOre those who
| hayo power to DO so to decide these questions
| by appeal to the peaceful course of law .
| J. l.. CHAMBERLAiS,
Maj Generals
| Orville d. Baker, counsel for the Republican
| Advisory Committee, has made report to
| them in which he takes the ground that tho
State has no legal or acting Governor; that Lam
son was not legally elected President of con-
sttutional Senate that the Senate was not
| legally organized body, and never had quorum,
and that the term of office of the executive COM
| mittee, secretary of State, treasurer and other
State officers expired on Wednesday, January 8,
and oil those offices are now vacant.
| TIE DEADLOCK IN MAINE.-Augusta, Me-,
January l1.-Ebenczer Sproul has brought suit
against l.. I. Phillsbury, proprietor of the
.uaine STANDARD, for libel. The action is based
on an article in Pillsbury's paper charging
| Sproul with bribery.
1t is intimatcd tonight that the programme
Of the Fusionists will be to have either Eugene
| Hale or Professor Young arrested by the SER
| geant alarms and brought TO the House to make
n quorum. lt.now seems utterly impossible to
get quorum without the aid Of the Republi-
| cans, and the failure to do so thus far has only
strengthened the Republicans in their position
The Fusion!sts will exhaust every means of le-
gally clecting the Governor and Council, but
| how such an election can be had, or how if had
it will be regarded by Gen. Chamberlain, is not
known. There is general impression that the
members from the DISTINGUISHED cities will soon
be allowed to take their seats. Prominent Fu-
| sionists applied to Gen. Chamberlain on Satur-
day for the discharge from duty Of the Augusta
police in charge of the State House, expressing
the belief that the public property was not in
danger. Gen. Chamberlain replied that if he
discharged the police he should order two com-
| In tak hair p1n md tbn
| gentlemen thcreupon withdrew their request.
| WHITEwAsnING SENATOR DLAINE.-January
| ll.-Thc agent of the Associated Press at Au-
gusta, in explanation of the circumstances at
tending Mr.. Blane's denial of the charge of
| completely in the bribery of the Fusion mem
| bcrs, says Mr.. Blainc's house has been constant =
ly filled every day from breakfast till midnight
| with crowd of fifty or one hundred persons,
and has been the general headquarters for Re-
| publican members ofthe Legislature, So hat Mr..
Whiles alleged call there, if true, is without the
significance it might otherwise have had. Mr.
White denies seeing MIR. Blaine during the en-
tire day in question, except while the latter was
passing hurriedIy from one room to aro,her.