The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1880-01-27
AUGUSTA.
GOOD RESULTS Of GOV.
DAVIS ACTION.
Quiet and Good Order Prevailing
at the Capital.
Fusionists Pretending They
Never Intended a Raid
on the Capitol.
The Bogus Legislature Destined to
Soon Go to Pieces.
The Bogus Legislature Destined to
Soon Go to Pieces.
rspecial Dispatch to the Press !

| the fusion governor, Smith, addressed to the
people of Maine, which appeared this morning
| in his official organ, did not excite half as
much interest as if the same had come from
Daniel Pratt, or had been Illuminated by
| the late Emperor Norton of San Francisco,
| who, in the calenture of his brain, believed
that he was the ruler of the people of the
United States. The proclamation which, it
will be seen, is not attested by the fusion Sec
rotary of State, and did not bean the impress
| or ornamentation of the States coat of arms,
was laughed at by some, treated with con-
tempt by others between the eating of chops
and the slipping of coffee, and poor Smith was
made the subject of lampoons and reprobation
| for his dishonest, knavish and fraudulent con-
ct.The charge that the Republicans who are
running legal government are guilty of mil
itary usurpation'' by occupying the capitol
! with body Of troops for lawful purposes falls
still-born.
! Governor Davis.
The prevalent opinion, so far as am able to
discover, is that Gov. Davis has adopted pol
icy that is heartily endorsed, and here would
| stop moment to say that since Gov. Davis
was placed in the gubernatorial chair he has
| developed traits of character that eminently
| qualify him toact as chief magistrate in an
| exciting ordeal such as the present, and one
| which was unknown to any of his predecessors
in office. He is indeed the man to be Cover
nor in these critical and trying times He
| makes no show of authority, goes here and
| there unattended by any official, is calm and
| dignifed, is polite and courteous to all who
| call upon him, and nothing that he says can
| possibly be tortured or construed into being
| offensive or aggressive utterances. He seems
| to realize fully in all its length and breadth
| the magnitude of affairs and proposes to act
| with frmness, tempered with moderation
| and wisdom. In short, Honest Frank Davis"
as heis Familiarity called, is proving himself in
his administration of affairs, "a bigger man.
as one of his ardent admirers told me this
morning, ethan we supposed he was, although
we always knew that he was good deal of a
man. This emergency is just showing the
stuff he is made Of"
The Militia in the State House.
OF course the fusionists take the ground that
the placing of troops in the State House is
rash, ill-advised step, big blunder, and that
there was no necessity for it; that Gov. Davis
has lost his head, and that if the Republicans
ever had any sympathy or moral support from
the people this one act of military usurpa-
ton" has wiped it out completely. Before
three days expire they claim that Gov. Davis
will be the butt of ridcule throughout the
country. And more, that his impeachment
will be demanded. But of course these fus-
ionists only see things from their own stand
point. 1t is well understood by those who
know the bottom facts that the calling out of
the military was a necessity that could not be
avoided if the capitol and public property were
to be saved from the revolutionary hands of
the fusionists. 1t was what the French term
derrier resort, warranted by reliable informa-
ton that dash was to be attempted to
seize the State House, and that in the event
of an aggressive movement the police would
be powerless in its defence. The strong arm
of the military power was absolutely essential
to hold possession. The legality of the gov
eminent must be sustained at all hazards.
There should be no trif1ing The business in
terests of the State were at standstill; in
many localities completely Frustrated Bust
ness men were alarmed at the threats of civil
disorder. The time had come when the au-
thority of the State should be shown.
AT first Gov. Davis was loath to have the
soldiery called here, and as I understand, so
told his advisers. But when he became salts
fed as he did by accumuating evidence, that
the fusioliists meant to get possession of the
State House if they could, at the point of the
bayonet, and that as he was situated it would
be an utter impossibility for the legal authori-
ties to prevent being ousted, then it was that
felt that he was justified and would be vindi-
Gated in so doing There is no doubt but what
the wisdom of the act has proved the means of
quoting all apprehensions of danger, and
caused better feeling of security than has
been witnessed here before in this turbulent
pc iod. If Gov. Davis became unnecessarily
alarmed or scared as the fusionists say, and
erred in calling out the troops, he erred on the
side of law and order. His only purpose in
exercising his prerogative as commander-in-
chief, was to act in accordance with the sacred
oath he had taken when he entered upon the
grave and responsible duties of chief magis-
trate, and swore to uphold and maintain the
supremacy of the laws and the constitution.
This he will do at all hazards and in so doing
he will he sustained by all law-loying and law
abiding citizens, irrespective of politics, from |
the centre to the circumference of the state
and beyond the geographical boundaries of the |
state
The Crisis Probably Passed.
The situation, as it appears today, looks as if |
the danger Of any collision has passed, and |
that there will be a peaceful solution of the |
trouble. The day for the fusionsts to inaugu-
rate civil strife has gone; they have lost their
last chance. The bellicose Fogg may buster
and storm and rave; and Smith, Pillsbury and
the rest of the leaders may talk of military |
threaten the impeachment of Gov. /
Davis for high treason, and utter divers other
menaces, but all their Nominations will be as
a Pope's bull against comet. Their pas
qunades and their more serious mutterings
will fall on listless ears and be disregarded by
their own followers. And when the time
comes in the near future, these wicked leaders
will find that they will not escape the guillo-
tine of condemnation among the very men
they have duped and deceived.
Congratulations to the Governorn-.
1t has been already stated LOU NV Da'i'
has received cor4.--"ei''ioiiS iioli VIC ooveln-
e,s'N mississippi, Illinois, Minnesota New
York and New Jersey. 1t may be we'll to note
the fact however, that the chief magistrate Of
the latter state is Gen. Geo. B. Mcclellan. He
has sent Gov Davis copy of his message with
his compliments. and as he addressed him by
his official title, it shows that he recognizes
him as legal Governor.
Indignant j. L. Smith.
1t is reported from sem-oficial sources that
ihe so-caled Fusion Governor resents with in
iignation the charge that he attempted to
order out the militia through Major Folsom,
his Adjutant General; but his denial doesn't
,eem to hold water. The elasticity of Smiths
may he such that it may be appar-
entity an easy matter for him to brush away
he accusation by simple denial, and make it
appear that it is gross imputation on his Off
,ial conduct One of these days he may be af-
orded an opportunity of confronting in his
,wn hand writing and that of Major Folsom,
evidence showing that by his denial he is in
lined to step outside of the periphery OF truth
Fusion Denials Of Meditated Violence.
The attempts Of the Fusonists to make light
If their designs to capture the State House,
,1vr l11% AlNosr A1,0x,