Fayette County herald. [volume] (Washington [Washington Court House], Fayette County, O. [Ohio]) 1860-1???, 1880-01-15

Senate, called the roll ana elghteeI
Senators responded to the call. A quo
rum was announced as present, al
being Republicans, who proceeded tt
qualify, the oath being administered By
Hon. Wm. M. StrattOn. Andrew r.. S
Smith was declared the Senator from
Lincoln county on the face of the re-
turns. Joseph A. Locke was chosen
President, receiving all the votes
thrown (nineteen); Charles w. Tilder
was chosen Secretary; Geo. e. Brickett!
of Belfest, Assistant Secretary.
The following order was passed:
"0rdered, that a committee, consis.
ting of three members of the Senate,
be appointed by the President to report
to the Senate for its action whether the
Senate shall call upon the Justices Of
the Supreme Court for their opinion
touching the legal organization of the
Senate for the Fifty-ninth Legislature,
and to report for the action Of the SEN
ate such questions as the law and facts
required in the premises"
The members of the House were call
ed to order by Mr.. Eugene Hale, and
Mr.. Wentworth, of Kittery, was made
temporary Chairman, and Mr.. Smith
Clerk, who called the roll of members
elect. All the Republicans responded,
but the Fusionists did not. Eighty-1ive
members of the House responded to
the call, and were qualified by VIM.
StrattOn, Clerk of the Court Of Kenne-
bee county. Subsequently six men,
bers who were not by the face Of the
returns elected, on account of defects
which were amended under the law of
1877, were admitted by resolution sub
mitted by Mr.. StrouC. Geo. E. Weeks,
of Augusta, was elected Speaker.
After the organization Mr.. Hale Of
fered a similar resolution to that passed
by the Senate, calling for the appoint
ment of a committee to request the
opinion of the Supreme Judicial Court
as to the legality of the organization of
the House. In making the resolve, Mr..
Hale spoke Of the extraordinary Cir
cumstances under which they met, and
said the object of the organization was
to settle vital question affecting the
organization of the Legislature and
State government. The House will obey
the decision of the court.
Mr.. jHale's resolution was adopted
unanimously, and A. A. Strout, of
Portland, L. Hutchison, of Lewiston,
and 6ilas G. Hatch, of Bangor were ap-
pointed as the committee.
On Tuesday morning, at :45 O'Clock,
the committee of the Republican House,
appointed to submit questions to the
court, submitted a series of questions,
which were adopted, after which both
branches of the Legislature adjourned
to Saturday, to await the decision Of
the court, which the Republicans win
abide by.
The Fusion Legislature assembled on
Tuesday, but was not disposed to take
any action until after the decision of
the Supreme Court is received,
Mr.. Lamison, who announced his as
Of the duties Of Governor by
virtue Of his Office of President of the
Fusion Legislature, addressed COM
to General Chamberlain,
who has assumed control of the State
under an order from Governor Garce-
Ion, issued just before he went out of
office, inQuiring whether he was pre-
pared to recognize him as Governor, to
which General Chamberlain replied as
follows:
In the attitude which things have
now taken, the responsibility resting
on me under this order involves the
liberties Of the people, their most sa-
cred property, and the stability of a
constitutional government, their high
est institution. am thankful that you
feel and understand this, and realize
equally with myself the importance of
our proceeding with caution. Your in
quiry virtually calls upon me to decide
the question Of the constitutional law,
which is q matter falling not at all
within the province of my department.
In my military capacity | have not the
Of submitting questions to the
only tribunal competent to decide them.
The Constitution declares that the JUS
tees 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 of the govern
ment, but that privilege is not accorded
10 the military department. Supported
by the decision of that court | should
obey without moments hesitation
but solemnly believing that if, at this
abandon my trust there will
DO no barrier against anarchy and
/ can not, under the present
circumstances, recognize your authority
rs Governor Of Maine.
"There are only two ways to settle
he questions now at issue and agitating
he public mind-by following strictly |
,he Constitution and laws, or by reVo-
ution and blood. In this alternative, |
Ind standing where / must be judged |
~ God and man, / can only hold fast !
n my place and implore those who have
he power to decide these questions by |
IN appeal to the peaceful course Of law.
Believing that this answer must COM
mend itself to your Judgment as the
,nly one possible for me to give, and,
With the highest respect and esteem, |
lave the honor to be
"Rour obedient servant,
81. i. CHAMBERLAIN,
"Major-General."
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