The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1880-01-27
be found, and that the whole Of their time was


occupied in connecting scares for the Republi-
cans When the Legislative committee of in
vestigation goes to work, as it will in few
days, the Fusionists will find an array Of facts
brought to light which will show that they
meant to take Capitol by an armed force if it
were possible. Additional evidence of this
fact and of their enrolment of men continues
to come in daily. To-day word came
from Bridgton for example, that the Fusion
lists there meditated the seizure Of stand of
arms belonging to the state in the hands of a
post of the Grand Army of the Republic. Ad-
iutant General Beal promptly telegraphed to
have the arms taken care of at once,
Tenders Of Men to Adjutant Beal.
Adjutant General Beal is almost deluged
with letters proffering assistance for the de-
fence of the Capitol. Tenders of men come
from all parts of the state. From Portland,
Saco, Biddeford and other places in the wes-
tern section of the state, enough old veterans
who know full well how to deploy as Skin
mishers, have volunteered to come here, as
would make regiment of itself. This is a sig
nifcant straw and shows the drift of public
sentiment. Gen. Beal says that he could
bring to the Capitol from three to five thou
sand men at short notice.
The State Treasury.
The finance committee will undertake to ex-
anime the accounts and books of the fusion
State Treasurer tomorrow, when Mr.. Hol-
brook, his successor, will also be qualified and
demand possession of the Treasury. Mr.. Hol-
brook has procured very strong bond. 1t is
understood that Mr.. White still adheres to his
determination to force tho Republicans to re-
sort to legal measures in the way of a manda-
mus to get p ossession of his Office.
State Valuation.
The committee on State valuation will pro-
badly recommend the appointment of a spec
ial committee OF commission Of one from each
county into whose hands the work will be
placed. The work will be entered upon with
little delay as possible, as it is one of, if not
the most, important measure that will be
brought to the attention of the Legislature
during the session. Assessors are responding
promptly in forwarding their returns to the
Secretary of States office.
Gov. Davis left in the afternoon train for a
short visit to his family in Corinth, from whom
he has been absent for several weeks. His Off
cial labors have been of such an arduous char
acter thai brief respite will enable him to
recuperate and return with fresh vigor and
renewed strength.
The Fusion Caucus.
The fusion legislature has dwindled down to
handful of members. They met this after
noon, called their bogus caucus to order and
then adjourned. The fusionists talk Of hav-
ing rowing commission appointed to visit
every county in the State with view of in
vestigating election frauds for capital for the
next political campaign. They also talk of is
suing State bonds. seeming to be oblivious of
the fact that the constitution of the State,
which they profess to hold in such reverence,
limits the amount Of State Indebtedness ex-
cept for war purposes and to renew a loan.
The Court and the Questions.
The prevalent opinion is that the Supreme
Court will substantially in decided but
dignified and courteous manner, re-affirm their
opinion of the legality of the Republican Leg
islature in their answer to the fusionists. If
this shall be their answer the fair-minded
fusonists will accept it with resignation and
take their seats with the Republicans in the
State House. The rest may then undertake to
appeal to the Supreme Court of the United
States, with the hope of having the decision
overruled, OF they may adjourn their bogus
legislature subject to the call of their pretend
ed Governor.
Commissions were issued today to the staff
officers of Gov. Davis.
ITO the Associated Press
AUGUSTA, Jan. 26--This has been all ex-
tremely dull day in Augusta, there being
nothing of special interest to report. State
Treasurer Holbrook will be qualified tomorrow
having filed his bond and then will demand of
Treasurer White the Office and keys thereof,
Should he refuse and mandamus be served it
would take until May to settle the question,
unless special act is passed by the legislature.
1t is thought that White will not hold out
should the decision Of the court be against him.
The fusionists seem to remain firm, but will
not attempt to transact business, but will meet
and adjourn from day to day until the decision
of the court is received. Should it sustain the
Republicans, most of them would take, seats in
the legislature. 1t is thought that every Sena-
tor, with the possible exception OF one, Will
take his seat.
The Legislature will enter at once on the
despatch of important business before them
without further preliminaries
The troops will remain here until the fusion
legislature breaks up and matters settle down
to peace basis.
information from various sources shows that
the people generally endorse the action of the
Governor in defending the State House. Gov.
Davis went to Bangor today and will return
tomorrow.