The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-01-19
THE MAINE WAR.
The Situation up TO Saturday Night.

THE DECISION OF THE SUPREME COURT-THE
REPUBLICANS SUsTAINED-LEGALITY OF THE
FUSION ORGANIZATION DENIED-GOvERNOR
SMITH REvOKES GENERAL CHAMBERLAIN'S
APPOINTMENT - GENERAL CHAMBERLAIN's
RESPONSE.
BANGOR. Me-, January 1.-THE Supreme
Judicial Court sent to the Republican Le-
cislature to-day its reply to questions sub
mitted by that body touching the legality
OF the organization OF the Fusion Legisla-
ture. The decision generally suslans the
Republican position. They say:
"An election has been bad by the electors
OF this State. The rights Of several per-
sons voted for depends upon the votes cast
in accordance with the Constitution and
laws OF the State. 1t was the duty OF the
Governor and Council thus 10 declare it.
Anv declaration OF the vote not thus ascer-
tanned and declared Is unauthorized and
void. The Governor and Council examined
the returns and undertook TO declare the
result as appeared by the returns. various
questions involving The true construction OF
the Constitution and statutes relative thereto
arose, and the Governor, by virtue OF and
by his constitutional prerogative, called
upon the court for its opinion upon the
questions propOunded.
"By the provisions Of the Constitution the
Court was required to eXpound and con-
strue the provisions OF the Constitution and
statute involved. 1t gave full answers to
these questions. The opinion of the Court
was thus obtained as one OF the modes pro-
yided in the Constitution for an authorita-
tive determination OF important questions
Of law. The law thus determined i a con-
elusive guide of the Governor and Council
in the performance Of their ministerial du-
ties. ANY action on their part in determin-
ing the vote, as IL appears by the returns, Is
in violation of the provisions of the Consti-
tuition, aud the law thus declared is a
usurpation of authority, and must be held
void. 1t only remains &c apply these princl-
pies to the subjects embraced in the ques-
tons propounded."
On this basis the Court answers favorably
to the Republicans the various questions.
HOPES OF A PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT BLOWN TO
THE wINDs-ORDERS REVOKED.
BosToN. January ia special from Au-
custa saws the whole aspect OF affairs has
changed, and hopes OF peaceful soltl-
ton OF the dispute by the decision OF the
Supreme Court are blown TO the winds by
the action taken by the FusiOnisis last
NIGHT. Soon after the points OF the decision
were received from Bangor the leading
Fusionists had consultation with Gov
ernOr Smith and staff, and the following or
der was issued:
State Of Maine, Adjutant Generals Office,
AuquStd, January 16, lSS0.-Speclal Order
No. 2.-General Order No. 4, dated Novem-
Der |, 1879, assigning General Joshua L..
Chamberlain TO the command OF the yolun-
teer militia, is hereby revoked. General Or
der No. II, dated January D, 1880. assign
ing General Joshua l.. Chamberlain to duty
as commander OF the First division OF
Maine militia, and requiring commanding
officers OF all military organizations OF the
Slate 10 report to him, is hereby revoked.
Special Order No. 4j, dated January 8,
1880. directing General Chamberlain to pro-
tect public property and institutions OF tue
State, is hereby revoked.
Commanding officers OF all military or
CARNATIONS which have been accepted into
the service OF the State are required to re-
mort 10 the Commander. in Chief, Joseph l..
Smith.
This order was taken to Chamberlain by
Generals Falsom and Black, OF the Govern.
or's s.aff. The General read 1t, and replied
that he would return an answer this morn
ing.
Orders have been sent to the command
ing officers of every military company in
the State announcing that Chamberlain has
been relieved from his command, aud di-
recting them to obey no order except from
Smith.
BACgBOyE-NAIYE's EXAMPLE TO OTHER
PEOPLE.
AUGUSTA, January 17.-General Chamber.
lain will pay no attention 10 the order OF
Governor Smith taking away the command
Of the militia from him. He will hold TO
bis drsi-apnounced position. and will re-