New-York tribune., 1880-01-01

true that it is the intent Of the Constitution and
voters in S eanS pHds District Of t tile State
shall decide who shall represent them at Augusta;
This manifest intent the Governor and his Council
have set ut nanght BY their strict adherence to the
letter of the Constitutions and law. IN defiance of
thcir spirit
Republicans in Washington expect to Zee their
friends in Maine take advantage of this new feat
nre Of the situation. and hold Governor Garcelon
responsible as n usurpcr and nsurrectionist il he
undertakes to exercise any Of the functions OF the
has been suggested that the President of the Senate,
until neHs and tha that ra 1t
to the place If he should do SO there
might possibly arise a case within the next few
days and before the meeting OF the Legislature OF
Name for the interference of the President OF tho
United States in suppressing an lnsurrection against
the alleged constituted authorities Of the State.
Then Mr.. Hayes would have to decide first. whether
the trouble was of such aseriOus and threatening
character to warrant Justify his interference.
and, secondly. which side le would assist, His
not be questioned. If the President of the United
States dec1ed that the President of the Senate was
the lawful Governor, that act would make him 80.
1t is not of course to be supposed that the Presi-
dent of tho United States would make any decision
which would not be sustained BY the Constitution
and laws of the State.
The Administration here, while It has expressed
the opinion that the people of Maine would settle
their troubles themselves, has at the same time
been looking the S. ths PSS
the law passed in pursuance of them, as we'll as the
precedents and legal interpretations, and has caused
them to be cOdiicd for use. 1t has been suggested
to-day that it was in anticipation OF Just such
contingency as is new likely to arise that this ex-
animation has been made. and that whatever tho
President may do If he Is called upon to act hc will
he able to do without much delay. 1t isconhdentN
expected here that there will be interesting news
from Name within the next two days.
The first and only Constitution of Maine was
ratified by the people IN 1920 Since then several amend
been ratified by the people hut no new Con-
stitution has been adopted In the original Constitu
top. Section OF Article l., Part 1st, reads follows
The Governor shall be elected by the qualified electors,
and shall hold his Office for year, from the first
Wednesday Of January in each year" The frs Wednes
day IN January at that tme now the time fixed
for the meeting Of the legislature In 1s46 the follow
ing amen dmcnt to the Constitution was ratified Tho
annual meeting Of the Legislature shall be tho second
Wednesday OF May in each year and the Governor and
other State officers elected for the political year
mencnG the first Wednesday OF January in the
year OF our Lord 1S45. shall hold their
Offices ill the second Wednesday OF May In the Of
four Lord 194G.' In 1881 thcse provisions were an
nulied by the adoption OF the following amendment ::
'"The annual meeting OF ptIe Legislature shall he on
the frst Wednesday Of January In ench year ard
the Governor and other State officers elected
for the political year commencing on the
shall hold their Offices t the Hr- wed csd.! OF Jam
nary. IN the OF our Lord lSo2" The inVariahlr
practice IN Name has been 10 have The ovcrnors term
continue until tue close Of the political yCUr.