National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1880-01-14
THE SITUATION IN MAINE.
A Way Out of the Complications
Opened.
The Matter Submitted to judicial Decision
A Result Expected by saturday-Mr.
Iamson Testing His Authority
Legality of His Claim to be
Governor Questioned by
Gen. Chamberlain.
The Supreme Court Appealed to.

Supreme court Mr.. Hale, In his remarks
relative to the order submitting questions
to the Supreme court, said the representatives
assembled here did not desire a control which
the law did not give them, and did not wish
to ride rougl-shod over any one, as they
might have done days ago but for the main
purpose and great purpose indicated In the
ORDER and when the court shall decide the
question, the people of Maine will take that
decision as final exposition of the law upon
the question Of organization, and it will be ex-
pected that everybody in tho hall will accept
II as laid down by the court
THE FUsIoNIsTs.
The Fusion members the halls of the two
Houses having been vacated by tho adjourn.
mentofthe Republican legislature, reassembled
at noon without disturbance, there being no
quorum In the House, where no attempt was
made to transact business, and recess was
taken till 2 p. m. In the Senate u petition
for bridge was presented The Fusionists
seem paralyzed by the movements of last night
and are very reticent apparently waiting for
developments. The Idea of electing State off
GERS seems to have been abandoned for the
present. Indications now are that but little
will be done until the decision of tho court is
rendered.
IMPORTANT CORRESPONDENCE.
AUGUSTA, Me, Jan. 13.-The following orders
have just been issued:
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
AUGUSTA, January IL, 1880.
Joshua l.. Chamberlain, MdjOr. General Commanding.
DEAR SIR Having entered on the duties of
Governor of Maine under critical circumstances
it is important for me to understand whether you
nre prepared to recognize my authority us SUCH
Respectfully JAMES D. LAMsON,
Governor State of Maine.
AUGUSTA, Me, January 10.
Hon. James d. Lamson:
SIR ] have the honor to acknowledge the re.
aAfn 1fU Ian ttnNN f,,E,R
you have entered upon the duties of Governor
and desiring to know II am prepared TO recognize
your authority as such. The gravity of the siua-
lion and the importance Of my answer to your
question demand that should give to It the most
earnest attention. am acting under the authority
deVolfeu upon me by virtue OF the following order:
STATE OF MAINE,
AUGUSTA, January 8, 1880. I
SPECIAL ORDER No. 45-Mnjor-CIeneral J. l..
Chamberlain Is hereby authorized and directed to
protect the public property and institutions Of the
State until my successor is duly qualified.
"s, D. LrAvITT, Adjutant. General"
In the attitude which thlngsihave now taken the
responsibility resting on me under this order in.
wolves the liberties Of the people their most sacred
property and the stability OF constitutional govern.
ment, their highest institutions.
am thankful that you feel and understand this
your proceeding with caution. Your inquiry vir-
tually calls upon me to decide a question ofconst.
tutional law, which is matter falling not at all
within the province OF my department
In my military capacity have not the privilege
orsubniting such questions to the only tribunal
clares that justices Of the Supreme Judicial court
shall be obliged to give their opinion upon import
ant questions Of law and upon solemn occasions
when required by the civil branches of the govern.
ment, but that privilege is not accorded TO the mill
tary department, Supported by decision of the
court, should obey without moments hesitation
bnt solemnly believing that II, at this juncture /
abandon my trust, there will be no barrier against
anarchy and bloodshed cannot, under the present
ernOr of Maine.
There are only two ways of settling the question
now at Issue and agitoting tho public mind-by
following strictly the constitution and laws or by
revolution and boodshed. In this alternative and
htandng where must be justified by God and man.
u can only hold iastin my place and implore those
who have power 10 decide these questions by ap-
peal TO the peaceful course of law.
Believing that this answer must commend itself
10 give, and with the highest respect and esteem /
have the honor Of being your obedient servant,
j. l.. CHAMBERLAIN, Major-General
THE BRIBERY COMMITTEE.
AUGUSTA, ME-. Jan. 13.-The bribery COM
mittee OF the House held n session this after
noon. ]. c. White, of Weltou, made clear
and unqualified statement Of offers made him
sn the nature of bribes. Ho said tho party Of
gering was w. r. White, his cousin. Mr..
Wentworth, of South Berwick, testified that one
Kicker tried to induce him to remain at home
fom the legislature, offering him 500 if ho
would remain at homo for the first two days
of the session, and afterwards offered him
$500 down and $40 day for forty days. Mr.
Kicker Is II Democrat. Mr.. Cushman testi-
fed that his son, who thought 1t WAS dis
grace for him TO take his seat, tried
to induce him 10 remain at home
FUsIoNIsTs PREPARING NEW PLANS
The Fusionists held meeting this after
noon TO devise plan of operation for to-mor-
row. committee on the subject was ap-
pointed consisting of Jennings, of Bangor
Pillsbury, of Augusta, and Solon Chase.
A sensational rumor is rife that A. p. Gould,
OF Thomaston, this evening telegraphed to
General Chamberlain that unless he recog.
nzed Lamson as Governor lie was guilty of
treason.
The published statement that Lanson OBJ.
jcctcd to the Republicans entering the State.
house was u mistake. 1t was Mr.. Lancaster,
superintendent of public buildings, who
offered the objection. General Chamberlain re-
grets that such report was circulated Whom
the arms were removed to Bangor Mr.. Lam
son gave his full consent.
The questions to the Supreme court will not
be made public until tomorrow. They will
be cent to Bangor in the morning by special
messenger. IL is announced that the Fusion
lists will choose Governor tomorrow.
RESIGNATION OF A CoUNTED-IN OFFICER.
PORTLAND, Me, Jan. l3.--Rogster of Pro
bate Caleb A. Chaplin, who was counted in
aud who took his seat January l2, resigned
to-day. This leaves only one counted.in
county officer who still holds his seat.
THE LEGAL ASPECT OF THE CASE.
AUGUSTA, ME-, Jan. l3-Orvile d. Baker
counsel for the Republican advisory commit
tee, has made report to them, in which he
takes the ground that the State has now no
legal OF acting Governor, because II the office
of Governor had become vacant under tho con-
shtutOn Lamson was not legally elected ~
the president Of constitutional Senate; that
the Fusionists were not legal body or legally
organized, because it has no quorum without
the vote OF the members, who wero not, Ia fact,
and did not even appear TO be, elected on tho
face Of tue returns, and therefore the certih-
Gates they hold are unconstitutional and void,
and the Governor aud Council exceeded their
power in Issuing them, since they are com
PEELED by the constitution TO Issue GER
tihCates TO those who appear by the re-
turns to be. elected. Such certificates
Mr. Baker urged, are void If issued to persons
for whom no votes at all were cast or returned.
For the ganla ransom the EusiOn HOuse of Rem.