The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1880-01-29
AFFAIRs IN MAINE.


Thomas B. Swan of Minat and Moses Har-
riman of Kennebunk, Fusion members ELECT
of the Maine Legislature, on the 9Th, made
affidavit that they had been approached by
Republican agents and offered money if they
would sign certain papers disappearing of
the action of the Governor and Council and
refusing to accept seats in the House; that
in order to unmask this attempt at bribery
they say, after consultation with friends,
they decided to and did accept the money
offered, which was 81 900 apiece; and that it
was stated to one of them that enough Flu
sion members had been induced to stay away
so as to prevent a quorum being present.
The Maine Legislature formally organized
on the 7th In the House, Assistant Clerk
Gibbs called the certified roll of members,
and 76 answered to their names. Eugene
Hale, Republican, stated that the names Of
certain elected members were not on the
roll, and moved that they be included. OBJ
jections were made, and the Clerk
refused to put the motion, where
upon the Republicans, with the
| exception of Hale, Withdrew in a body.
Upon notification that the House was then
| ready to organize, Governor GarcelOn ap-
| peared and qualified the members. He an
nounced that 76 members, being quorum,
had taken and subscribed the necessary
! oath, and were regularly and duly consti-
tuted the House of Representatives. This
announcement was received with applause
from the outside. Governor Garcelon
said he would now put into their hands
| the opinion of the Supreme Court
as well as the petition of the gentlemen from
] certain cities claiming seats, and invoked
| their careful consideration of the same.
| rTbrnp EusiOY,icfs STro41T VofaT opd
refused to participate in the proceedings
The House then completed its organization
by the election of John c. Talbot, as Speak
er and Wingate Z. Gibbs as Clerk. The Sem
ate organized by the election of Fusion Off
GERS. The State-house was densely packed
with spectators, but no disturbance oc-
| CURED.
The Maine Republicans assert that the
published affidavits of Swan and Hartman
declaring that money was paid Fusion mem
bers of the Legislature to prevent quorum
| from appearing, are unsupported BY evi
dence, and challenge the opposition to pro.
duce the names of the Republicans alleged
to have paid the money.
No event Of importance occurred in tn,
! Maine Legislature on the Sth, further
than the appointment of joint select com
mittee to investigate the alleged bribery anC
| intimidation of members. Mr.. Hale an
nounced in the House that the Republican
members were now ready to be sworn in
but the Governor not being present tn
House adjourned.
/ At the opening of the Senate on the 9tl
but one Republican took his seat-LOcke o
Cumberland. In the House not a single Re
publican was present, and therefore n
quorum. Swan Of BIinat arose and made
statement that 1000 had been pai
, him not to appear at the organization
of the Legislature. Wallace R. White O
Winthrop he said was the man who pai
him the money. Mr.. Swan produced drai
which he said he had purchase
/ with the $1,000 as soon as it cam
into his possession, and whic
he now declared himself ready to turn owe
to White as he (Swan) had no claims upo
it. a similar statement was made by HaI
/, riman Of Kennebunk, who displaye
D the bills he had received. CIar
{ of NObleboro said he had been al
/ preached for the same purpose
: Senator Blaine published card denying ur
: equivOcaiIy the reports that he was cor
n cerned in or had any knowledge Of any a
: tempt to bribe members Of the Legisl;