The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1880-01-15
seemed to me to hold semi-military position
without any legal authority. l investigated
the matter and


| the matter and
| BECAME CONVINCED
that they ought to be discharged at once, and
| they were dismissed by the Governor and the
adiutant general. l found also large quanti-
ties of arms and ammunition stored in the
committee rooms of the building. This fact
led me to believe that the liberties OF the peo-
| pie were, to some extent, ieopardized, for
| found no warrant for the use of arms against
the citizens of the State of Maine by these men.
1 insisted that these evidences of an attempt
TO menace the members of the Legislature
| should be removed at once to a place of safe
keeping, and my suggestions were at once car
ried out Afterward had consultations with
the mayor and the city marshal, and they
cheerfully complied with my request for body
of police sufficient to protect the public prop
erty and preserve the peace. / will say this
for Governor Garcelon, that he seemed to be
deeply impressed with the gravity of the stua-
tion.. and that he cheerfully seconded all my
efforts to place the State officers and the State
property on footing within the constitution.
He was desirous, too, am convinced OF abid-
ing by the decision of the Supreme Court, ON
the questions submitted by Mr.. Morrill,, but he
was overruled by his Council If he had had
his own way l am inclined to believe that the
DEPLoRABLE CONDITION OF AFFAIRS
under which we now exist would never have
arisen"
"What do you consider your duty under the
order Of G avernor Garcelon?''
''Weli, my tAa1ry from the first, and it was
strengthened by tne explanation of the Cover
nor, was, that when assumed the command
of the militia and accepted the trust of holding
the State property, was not to decide ques-
tion of law, but to defend all persons who had
rights, or appeared to have rights, from inter-
IL Al
functions of their office. L wanted, also to
avoid making any demonstration of military
power, and declined to call around me even
small force of the enrolled militia. l kept
away from the halls of legislation myself, and
was particularly careful that no exhibition of
arms or ammunition should offend the Legis-
lators or others who had business to transact at
the State House. i received q good deal of
gratutous advice from men on both sides,
from lawyers and others who were interested,
but kept strictly to what believed to be
THE SIMPLE LINE OF DUTY
marked out by the order and my own iudg-
ment on the situation NV relations with the
men who claimed to be officers of the so-called
Legislature, were free and frank. / did not
recognize their claims, because did not think
it was my duty; and treated the other side in
precisely the same manner. have not lent
myself to any party or faction.in this matter,
and do not propose to do So"
Under Governor Garcelons order, do you
believe that you have discretionary power or
authority to decide who is legally elected Gov
ernor?'
''No, do not; do not so construe the order
and know that the Governor did not intend
to confer any such power l was called to the
command of the military, and placed in charge
of the State institutions, because there was
grave danger Of anarchy, because there was
serious dispute about the succession, which
would take perhaps considerable time to settle.
Gov. Garcelon's wisdom was seen in this, as in
other measures He meant, am convinced,
to do right Jrom the outset and, if he failed, it
was because he was badly advised and per-
suaded to do things, the nature of which he
did not clearly understand. When his term of
office expired l found myself in position
where the utmost caution was required, lest
the sensibilities of the people might be offended
L found, Also that no Governor could be chosen
who would have the support of both wings of
the Legislature, that doubt would be cast on
the legitimacy of the election. The only way
to settle the matter, it appeared to me, was to
go to the courts. could not ask the court to de-
eide such question, because the constitution
does not give the military branch of the govern
ment the right to go to that body for any such
purpose But, while had no authority to ask
the court for an opinion, 1 had authority to ask
the claimant to adopt that course. 1 think
had the right, and think / have it still, to
ask that any man who claims to be the legal
successor of Gov Garcelon shall at least show
that his title is clear, and that the law ques-
tions in dispute have been
SETTLED BY THE PROPER TRIBUNAL.
have told Mr.. Lamson, who claims to be
Governor by virtue of his office as President of
the alleged Senate, that there was peaceable
method of solving the problem. / did not ask
him to adopt it, but refused to recognize him
as Governor until he does. l feel that if l
were to resign the Office to which was elected
and abandon the trust reposed in me while
there was dispute about the legitimacy of a
Governors election the State would be
plunged into anarchy aud bloodshed. And I
have good reasons for believing that Mr.. Lam
son agrees with me in that opinion"
"Would you recognize Mr. Lamson il the
Supreme Court Should declare the Fusion Sem
81 should report 10 nIrn ~,svyy-
said the general.
1t will be seen from this statement that the
question is to be finally settled by the courts,
and that the Republicans have the advantage
at present. Gen. Chamberlain wished to have
it stated that he was indignant at the careless
statements and misrepresentation that have
been made regarding his relations with Mr..
Lamson, and the conduct of that gentleman
here. $50 far" said the general, from OBJ
structing or embarrassing ME, he has approved
of every important step have taken within
the last few days, and 1 believe he has done all
in his power to promote peaceful and lawful
settlement of existing difficulties"