National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1880-01-20
A GOVERNMENT IN MAINE.
The Legislature of the People lr
Regular Session.
Tho Farce of the Fusionists Ended-A Laugh
able session--1teetIng on the sidewalk
--Presiding Onicers Perched ON
the Fence-Smiths Boast of
Ten Thousand Lambs to
support His Claim.
Quiet Morning In Augusta.

AUGUSTA Jan. 10--All was quiet at the
Siate.house this morning, the building being
In charge of Major +. l.. Nye, acting assistant
hdjutant- General, who rendered such efficient
service on General ChamberlaIn's staff Tho
General left for Brunswick on the first train
this morning. All passes issued prior to to-
day are rejected, but persons authorized to re-
ceive them are granted new ones.
SESSION OF THE LEGISLATURE.
Both Houses of the regular legislature as.
sembled at 11:3O a. M, and after routine busi-
ness appointed Mr.. Sprague, of Anson, State
printer The oath of Office was administered
in joint convention TO tho Executive Council
ors Henry b. Cloaves, Of Portland, was
elected Attorney General and General George
s. Beal, of Portland, Adjutant-General, the
Republican caucus this morning having sub
stiiuted the name of the latter gentleman for
that of Major Gallagher, nominated OH Satur-
day. At o'clock both Houses adjourned to
10 q. IN. tomorrow.
TEST OF MILITARY LOYALTY.
BOSTON, jan 19.-The Journals Augusta
special says: Governor Davis telegraphed this
morning to all the military companies of the
State to test their feeling. The purport of the
order was that commanding officers of compa-
nies should report at headquarters every morn
ing and If at any time the telegraph wires
were cut to start with their companies for
Augusta by mil. Ono of tho first companies
TO respond was the Montgomery Guard, one
of the Portland companies, composed of Irish
Americans, who are Democrats, Captain Lynch
commanding who reports that he recognizes
the powers that he. The aching Adjutant-
General has secured possession of tho bills
and payroll Of the armed guard placed over
the State. house."
The Heralds Biddeford special says: "The
Biddeford Light Infantry received orders
carly this morning to be in readiness to 60 to
Augusta at moments notice. Fifty mon
volunteered to join the company If allowed"
AsIDEwALK LEGISLATURE.
AUGUSTA, Me, Jan. 19.-Governor Joseph
J.. Smith at 4 o'clock this afternoon advanced
to the gateway of the capitol, accompanied by
some fifty persons, representing themselves as
the legislature, and demanded an entrance
Admission was denied them, and Smith was
informed that If he would put his request in
writing 1t would bo presented to the COM
mander. The Senate and House then proceeded
TO transact their business on the sidewalk,
there being eight Senators and 35 members of
the House present. The reading of the records
was dispensed with, and without transacting
any business Of importance the legislature ad-
journed to meet at Union Hall at 10
o'clock tomorrow morning. The crowd
then dispersed. There WAS great complaint
on the part of the Fusionists, but no serious
disturbance occurred. Admttance was denied
to all political parties but the reporters were
SLOWED to enter.
Governor Davis has just made the following
nominations: For superintendent of public
schools, w. A. Luce; for railroad commissioner,
Asa w, Wilson, for State librarian, John b..
Myrick.
The State Treasurer to-day issued an order
instructing subordinates in his office not to
honor any demand for payment Of money
from the treasury emanating from or issued
Al
claiming to be the legislature of the State
until further advised by him.
DETAILS OF THE STREET MEETING.
Boston, Jan. 10.-The Herald's dispatch
from Augusta says: At $40 this p. IN. Mr..
Wilson, of Orono, a member of tho Fusionist
House, arrived at the gate, and simultaneously
Mayor Nash came down from the State-house.
Mr.. Wilson demanded admittance and was
refused.
"By whose ORDER" asked he? "By order of
Governor Davis" replied the mayor. "Gov.
ernor Davis has ordered the State-housc closed,
because no business Is being transacted in any
of tho departments neither tho treasury, the
Secretary Of States Office, nor either of tho
Houses of the legislature" But" expos
tulated Mr.. Wilson, II have come for vslua-
bic papers in my desk which l must have"
Mayor Nash replied, II am sorry sir but l
am only obeying the Governors orders in
Strickland came up, Can l so in?" he
asked. NO sir" was the mayors reply.
"I ask admission as member of the
Senate of the State Of Maine. My name is
Strickland, and can show my credentials"
81 am ordered not to admit any one" was
Mayor Nash's reply, by whose orders p
was the response. "If you have any com
munication to mako in writing will forward
Il to the Governor" mo sir" said the Sena-
tor, II have no communication to make. ]
am satisfied"
Al 3;45 Mr. Lamson, president of tho Eusion
Senate, and Mr.. Talbot, president Of the Fusion
House, appeared with the secretary and clerk
of these bodies and demanded admission at the
gate. On being refused by the mayor they
asked for entrance as members of the legisa-
ture. only TO have 1t again denied them
They put the same questions that Senator
Strickland did and received similar answers.
A few minutes later Governor Smith came
up and attempted to pass without asking any
questions. He was stopped by the officers
arm, and when he said, II demand admit
tance as Governor" his authority was not
recognized, and he was turned back. At this
time about 1000 persons had gathered at the
Rato and the throng swRyed to and fro, en-
deavoring to hear what was going on rep.
resontative, supposed to be Mr.. Knowles OF
Bradford who has sat but not acted with the
Republican House, began u speech, in which
he denounced the authorities IL the strongest
terms for refusing TO admit him Presently a
new diversion occurred, and a cheer drew
everybody's attention to the tall form Of Mr..
Talbot Speaker of the Fusion House, who was
posted on the fence OF tho State.house
yard. Clerk Gibbs stood at his feet
with the record book aud sundry
papers. Mr.. Talbot spoke substantially as
follows: "Slnce we are not permitted to
enter the legislative halls by usurping and
Illegal Governor, 1t becomes my duty TO call
the House of Representatives here, on the
nearest possible spot Gentlemen Of the
House of Representatives, you will please
come to order"
The reading Of tho journal was dispensed
with and all order was offered Ey Mr.. Plaisted
of Lincoln that the House adjourn to meet
At Union Hall, Augusta, tomorrow,
Mr.. Talbot began the reading of the order
"State of Maine Houses Of Representatives
us near as possible" which created laughter
In the crowd
He declared the order adopted, and the
House accordingly adjourned.
Mr. LumsOn, President of the Fusion Senate
who had also climbed upon the fence, removed
his hat and said "The gentlemen of the
Senate will please come to order"
Mr.. Plastcd's order was then taken up and
declared adopted in concurrence, and Mr
Lamson declared the Senate adjourned.
The members Of the Fusion legislature then
started down State street, followed by the
crowd An INDIGNATION meeting Was organ