Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-01-17
THE EVENING STAR.
DOUBLE SHEET.
The Maine MuddIe.


CRITICAL SITUATION OF AFPAIRS-THE SUPREME
COURT SUSTAINS THE REPUBLICAN POSITION.
dispatch from Bangor says:-The supreme
judicial court will send TO the republican legiS-
lature to-day its reply to the questions submit
ted by that body touching the legality of the
organization of the fusion legislature. The de-
cision generally sustains the republican posi-
ton They say: An election has been had by
several persons voted for depends upon the
votes cast in accordance with the constitution
and laws OF the state. 1t was the duty of the
governor and council thus to declare 1t. Any
declaration OF the vote not thus aScertained and
declared Is unauthorized and void. The COVER
nor and council examined the returns and I'M
dertook TO declare the result as appeared by the
returns. Various questions involving the true
construction of the constitution and statutes
relative thereto arose, and the governor by vir-
the court for its opinion upon the questions pro-
pounded By the provisions Of the constitution
the provisions of the constitution and statutes
involved. 1t gave full answers to these ques-
tions. The opinion of the court was thus OBJ
tanned in one OF the modes provided in the con-
stitution for an authoritative determination OF
important questions OF law. The law thus de-
termined is the conclusive guide Of the governor
and council in the performance OF their minis
mining the vote as it appears by the returns is
In violation of the provisions of the constitu-
zion and law. thus declared is a usurpation of
mains to apply those principles to the subjects
embraced in the questions propounded." On
illtS DstSlS LIE GOult duSWtlS ldNOIdDtS W lilt
republicans the various questions.
GOV. SMITH ISSUES AN ORDER RELIEVING GEN.
CHAMBERLAIN FROM COMMAND.
special dispatch from Augusta to the Bos-
ton Herald says: The whole aspect of affairs
has changed, and the hopes of the peaceable So
luton OF the dispute by the decision OF the SUI
preme court are blown to the winds by the
Of the supreme court decision were received
from Bangor the leading fusionists had a con-
sultation with Governor Smith and his staff
Iafn psf1apvx
issued:
STATE OF MAINE
acknowledgements OFFICE,
AUGUSTA, Jan. IL, 1880.
Special order No 2.-General Order No. 4, da-
ted November 1, 1879. assigning General Joshua
L. Chamberlain to the command of the volun-
teer militia, is hereby revoked. General Order
No. 70, dated January S. 1880, assigning General
Joshua L. Chamberlain to duty as commander
of the first division of the Maine militia and re-
quiring the commanding officers of all the mill
tary organizations of the state to report to him.
is hereby revoked. Special Order No. As, dated
January 5, 1880, directing General Chamberlain
to protect the public property and institutions
of the state, is hereby revoked. The command
ing officers of all the military organizations &C.
cepted into the service of the state are required
to report to the commander-in-chief.
JOSEPH L. SMITH.
This order was taken to General Chamberlain
by Generals Folsom and Black of the COVER
nOr'S staff. The General received it and re-
piled that he would return his answer this
morning.
Orders have been sent to the commanding Off
Ger in every military company In the state,
signed by Joseph L. Smith, announcing that
Chamberlain is relieved from command and
directing them to obey no orders except from
Smith. 1t is likely that Smith will neglect no
means to assert his authority. The republic
cans will be as little inclined to yield as their
opponents.
GOV. SMITH IN HIS MESSAGE
sets forth the duty of the legislature, as deter
mined by the rule of strict and earnest endea-
TO cOmn1V with the will Of the npOnp and
to promote the welfare of the state. 'Taking
that as guide" he continues, $50 long az we
do not seek to evade s Or oppose It's evident re-
ferred, we cannot go astray, OF at least be de-
prived Of the consciousness OF an honest endea-
vor to subserve the best interests of our fellow
citizens" He refers to various state and gene
raj interests, and regards the present improve
| ment in business as but temporary. A prime
| evil is the depression In ship-building. The
charges OF violence and intimidation In state
| elections in Maine are dwelt upon. They are
sustained by evidence, he says, too strong and
| direct to admit of reasonable doubt. Gov
notorious to deny that not content with the
| employment Of such criminal methods as
| charged in our elections, there was de-
yised and actually put IN operation scheme to
trate In the constitutional and legal discharge of
| the duties of his high office The firm and dig
n1fled manner in which he and his councillors
under abuse and indignities heaped upon them
discharged their responsible duties in conformity
with the constitution, laws and precedents estab-
| hshed by his predecessors in Office is worthy OF
and will receive the highest encomiums of ali
| citizens who truly have the welfare OF the state
| at heart The practical denial Of the free right
| of suffrage, or undue influence over the exercise
| OF that right, whether effected by brides by
| actual or threatened personal Violence or by
! threats of withdrawal OF employment or patron
mend that you first see that our own laws ale 50
framed to protect the purity of the lllot- box
in our own state, and. second, that you express
legislature in that behalf" The balance of the
message refers to the national finances, and
favOrs the stOppage OF contraction and the In
| crease of the circulating medium, and is mainly
devoted to the exposition of the greenback
financial policy as applied to our national cur:
| rency.