American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1880-01-24
THE MAINE TROUBLES.

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quorum on the 10th, and after brief sessions
both adjourned till Monday.-James ID
| Lamson, President of the Senate, announced
that he had assumed the duties of Governor
to fill the present vacancy in that office, a
authorized and required by law.-Wallacs
r. White, charged by Swan and Harri
man with paying them $1,000 each fol
purposes of bribery, published a card declar-
ing the charges absolutely, unqualifedly
and maliciously false :" SO far as they refer tc
MIN. He declines, however, to be investi-
gated by the present House of Represent
atives, whom he terms the " co -conspirators
of Swan and Hartmann
President Lamson of the Senate hav-
ing assumed the duties of Governor and been
formally sworn in, on the 18th Senator Ellis
was chosen President pro TEN. 1t appeared
from the report Of the Committee on Guber-
Material votes that the four persons receiv-
ing the highest number of votes, and there
fore eligible to the executive office, were
Daniel F. Davis, Joseph L. Smith, Alonzo
Garcelon and Bion Bradbury. But go
members of the House were present,
and it adjourned without transacting
any business.-About o'clock on the even
ing of the 18th the Republican Senators and
Representatives elect quietly proceeded
TO the State-house and took possession
Of the same without opposition. Up
on learning that the movement was
in progress, Acting Governor Lamson pro-
eeeded to Gen. Chamberlain's headquarters
and protested against his permitting them
to come in. Gen. Chamberlain is reported
to have said in reply that he should permit
them to come in and to stay as long as they
pleased" The Senate was then organized
by the election of Joseph A. Locke, Presi-
dent, and a full set of officers, all Republi-
cans A quorum of IS Senators was de-
clared present, one of whom, however, An
drew r. Smith of Lincoln County, did not
hold any certificate of election, but was de-
clared elected "on the face Of the returns,
The House was called to order by Eugene
Hale. Eighty-five members answered to
their names on roll call and were qualified
and six more alleged counted out members
were subsequently admitted by resolution.
Geo +. Weeks of Augusta was chosen
Speaker A committee was appointed, to
cooperate with a similar committee of the
Senate, to ascertain the opinion of the SUI
preme Judicial Court as to the legality of the
organization of the Legislature.
The Fusion Legislature quietly as
sembled in the State house on the morning
of the 18th, and as quietly adjourned with
out doing any business.-The Republican
Legislature occupied the Legislative Cham
bers in the afternoon and adopted series of
questions to submit. to the Supreme Court,
after which they adjourned to Sat
uday, the 17th.-Jas. d. Lamson adj
dressed communication to Gen.
Chamberlain, Commander in Chief, stat
ing that he had entered upon the duties
of Governor under critical circumstances,
and asking the latter if he was prepared to
recognize his authority. Gen. Chamberlain
replied that in the present attitude Of affairs
he could not recognize Lamson as Governor,
but would hold fast to his place as a barrier
against anarchy and bloodshed, and urge
both parties to submit their claims to the
highest legal tribunal.
The Fusion Senate met on the 18th and
after brief session adjourned.-The House
appointed a Committee on Ele ctions which
subsequently reported that IS members Ger
tilted by the Governor and Council had APP
peared and were qualified. The Com
mittee also reported in favor of I'M
seating DonneIl CRep.) of Westbrook
on account of illegal votes, and seating Mer-
rift w. Styles (Dem.) in his place. A num-
Der Of members opposed unseating Dunnell
without further investigation of the merits
of the case, and the report was recommitted
by a vote of more than two to one. The
House then adjourned.
The only business done in the Fusion
Legislature on the 18th was the adoption by
the House of the report of the Committee
on Elections, unseating Donnell, Republican,
in favor Of Styles, Democrat.-The Bribery
Committee of the House took some addi-
tional testimony cenfirmatory of that of
Swan and Harrfman.-On the previous
night about 80 Republicans from Bangor,
under command of Captain Whitmore, came
into Augusta, under the impression that a
conflict was imminent.-At the request of
Acting Governor Lamson, Gen. Chamberlain
reduced the police force at the State house
Gen. Chamberlain issued an address to the
people of the State, advising all to keep pa
tient until the pending political and legal
questions could be calmly considered, and
giving assurance that in his belief calm coun-
sells would ultimately prevail. He says in
conclusion: "My attitude towards Hon.
Mr.. Lamson, as a matter of duty, has been
made known in my reply to his inquiry, ad-
dressed me on the 18th day of January. At
the same time / regard him as in n
position to contribute in high degree to
the efforts to save us from anarchy
and ruin, and justice requires me to say
he has by all means in his power
aided in keeping the field clear for
the lawful and peaceful solution of matters
in issue. "-Acting Governor Lamson ad-
dressed communication to the Justices of
the Supreme Judicial Court, setting forth
briefly the facts upon which the Fusion
Government based its claims, and denounc-
ing the Republican Legislature as ian lille
gal and revolutionary assembly Of persons,
Both Houses of the Fusion Legisla-
trIre met ut 10 a. IN. The House adopted
the report OF the Committee on Elections,
declaring Murray, Fusionist, OF Vassalboro,
entitled to a seat instead of the Rev. Nathan
iel Butler, Republican, and Murray was
sworn in, thus bringing the number of mem
bers of the House up to 70. The House
then proceeded to select two candidates for
Governor, and sent TO the Senate the names
OF Joseph l.. Smith and Alonzo Garcelon.
The Senate unanimously elected Smith Gov
ernor, IL votes being cast. Members Of the