Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-01-14
The Maine MIDDLE.
GOV. CHAMBERLAIN REFUSES TO RECOGNIZE TIL
Authority OF ACTING GOVERNOR LAWSON.

GOV. CHAMBERLAIN REFUSES TO RECOGNIZE THE
AUTHORITY OF ACTING GOVERNOR LANSoN.
The situation in Maine continues complex and
interesting. The speaker of the senate James
ID. Lamson, signing himself as acting governor,
yesterday sent the following letter to Gen.
Chamberlain commanding the Maine militia
Having entered on the duties or governor OF
Maine under critical circumstances il is tlnDor-
tant for me to understand whether you are pre-
pared to recognize my authority as SUCH
Gen. Chamberlain, in reply. quotes the orler
OF the late Gov. Garcelon assigning him u prn-
tect the public property in the state. aud SAYS:
I'm the attitude which things have now taken
the responsibility resting on me under this o d -
involves the liberties OF the people. their most
sacred property, and the stability of conStitu-
tional government, their highest institution. |
am thankful that you feel and understand this
and realize equally with myself the Importance
OF your proceeding with caution. Your ina liry
virtually calls upon me TO decide a question OF
constitutional law, which is matter falling not
at all within the province of my department.
In my military capacity have not the privilege
of submitting such questions to the only tlibu-
nal competent TO decide them. The constitution
declares that justices of the supreme judicial
court shall be obliged to give their opinion upon
important questions OF law, and upon solemn
occasions, when required by the civil branches
or the government, but that privilege is not ac-
corded to the military department. Supported
by decision OF the court should obey. without
a moments hesitation, but SOlemnly believing
that If, at this juncture, abandon my trust.
there viii be no barrier against anarchy and
bloOdshed, cannot, under the present circunl-
stances, recognize your authority as governor
OF Maine. There are only two ways to settle
The questions now at issue, and agltating the
public mind: By following strictly the conStitu-
ton and the laws. or by revolution and blood
shed. In this alternative, and standing where
must be judged by my God and man. / can only
hold fast in my place and implore those who
have power to decide these questions by appeal
to the peaceful course OF law
OPINION OF REPUBLICAN COUNSEL.
Orv1lle ID. Baker, counsel for the republican
a m non
in which he takes the ground that the state has
now no legal or acting governor, because. if the
Office OF governor had become vacant under the
constitution LamSOn was not legally elected as
the president of constitutional senate; that
the fusion senate was not a legal body or legally
organized because it has no quorum without
the vote of its members who were not, in fact,
elected. and did not even appear to be elected
on the face of the returns, and therefore the
certificates they hold are Unconstitutional and
void, and the governor and council exceeded
their power in issuing them since they are com
PEELED by the constitution to issue certificates to
those who appear by the returns to be elected
Such certificates, MI. Baker urged, are void, as
II issued to persons for whom no votes at all
were cast or returned, For the same reason the
fusion house of representatives has no legal
status, and for the added reason that that house
has never had quorum voting on any motion
or measure, or on the election of any officer
even counting all the members with fraudulent
certificates. Baker contends also, and Illus
trateS by comparison OF the constitution as
originally passed in 1920, with the various
amendments SINCE that the term Of Office of the
executive council, secretary OF state, treasurer,
and other state officers expired ON Wednesday
January s, and that all those offices are now
vacant.
RESIGNATION OF A REGISTER.
Register OF Probate Caleb A. Chaplin OF Port
land, who was counted in and who took his
seat January 1, resigned yesterday. This leaves
only one counted in county officer who still
holds his seat.
THE BRIBERY COMMITTEE
OF the house held a session this afternoon. J.
c. White, OF Wilton, made clear and unqual-
flied statement OF offers made him In the nature
of brides. He said the party Offering was w. II.
White, his cousin. Mr.. Wentworth, of South
Berwick, testified that one Kicker tried to in
duce him to remain at home from the legisa-
ture, Offering him 5000 If he would remain at
nUuie the lIrst two days of the session. and
afterwards offered him $500 down and SO day
for 30 days. Mr.. Kicker is a democrat. Mr.
CUshman testified that his son, who thought il
was disgrace for him to take his seat, tried to
induce him to remain at home
The published statement that Mt. LamSon
objected TO the republicans entering the state
house was mistake. 1t was Mr.. Lancaster
superintendent of public buildings who offered
Tie objection. Gen. Chamberlain regrets that
such report was circulated. When the arms
were removed to Bangor Mr.. LamSon gave his
full consent. 1t is announced that the fusion
ISIS Will choose governor to-day.