The daily gazette., 1880-01-12
SECOND EDITION
G0rceJOn's order.
WHY GENERAL CHAMBERLAIN OCCUPIES
HIS PRESENT POSITION.


HIS PRESENT POSITION.
AUGUSTA, January 1I.-In response to
q request for some explanation Of the
fsct OF General Cham berlain having as
sumed the functions of "S+overnor and
Commander-in-Chief it may he stated
that ON the 9th instant Governor Garce-
lon, anticipating the expiration Of his
term OF office according to law, and also
some delay In the choice of his successor
issued Especial order No. As" 10 Major
General Chamberlain. authorizing and
dlrecfing him ITO protect the public
property aud institutions of the State
until my lGarcelon'sl successor is duly
appointed" Then, on the evening Of
the 9Th instant, or early next morning,
General Cham berlain, in pursuance OF
these orders, announced that he had as
sumed his present position ; though this
step was taken after Mr.. LamsOn, Presi.
dent Of the Senate, had declined to quail
fy, an Acting Governor.
Yesterday both Houses adjourneduntil
Monday the HI use having don. nothing
and the Senate traDsacting some routine
business. Many OF the members are now
at their homes, but what TO morrow may
bring forth it is impossible to indicate.
Ihe-hepu0llcan newspapers, OF course,
threaten storm, and many individuals
of the same party echo this on the street;
but the coolheaded men of the party do
not believe that anything is to be done,
and regard these wrathful outpourings
as expressiuns Of chargin over the nm.
happy state of affairs in which they find
their party placed by the biunder Of Eu.
gene Hale and Professor Young in Civ
ing the Fusionists a legal quorum on
Wednesday last.
Some of the republican members elect
who have been sworn in, have gone
home rather tired Offollowipg the order
OF leaders, and In instances they bitter
ly. complain of the behest by which
they were compelled to refuse to qualify
on wednesday at the opening of the
session, as very many legal gentlemen
have no doubt of the tact that both
branches Of the Legislature have been
constitutionally organized, and the
point that when seventy tx "a quorum
OF the House when completely are pres.
eDt they must all vote is not sustai ned
either by language Or by the recent de
cision of the Supreme Court, which says
th lt "if a a. Drum be presten that Is, sew
ty SIX members-a majority of that mum
Der, thirty nine, may enact law"
There is hardly doubt anywhere
about the organization of the Senate,
though it is stated that Senator Blaine
claims that neither House Is legally con-
stituted or organized; that General
Cham berlain would not recognize either
the President of the Senate or the
Speaker of the House, nor would he re-
cognize Governor If elected by the
present Legislature. On the other hand,
Mr.. K. f. Pillsbury is confident Of com
p.ete victory in the end aud a successful
ele 3tion of Governor by the Fuslo uists,
and he claims that Mr.. Lamsom is now
the acting Governor of the State OF
Maine.
The language of the Constitution OF
Maine is "Whenever the Office of G ov.
ernor shall become vacant by death
resignation, removal from office, oil
, other wise, the President of the Senate
shall exercise the office of Governor
, until another Governor shall be duly
qualified" eic.
However, it now appears that Mr.
Lambson, after diligent search and care
ful investigation on the part of his coun
sci, has changed his mind. and has come
TO the conclusion that he is, by virtue Of
bis office, the only person who can acl
as Governor, and he will tomorrow no.
tify the Republican members elect thai
he is ready to qualify them; and, If Gen.
eral Chamberlain refuses to recognize
him as Governor, of course there will be
conflict, though of what character time
alone will show