The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1880-03-11
BY TELEGRAPH.
AUGUSTA.
Sawyer Concludes to Make A
Martyr Of Himself.
He Is Locked Up to Think Over
His Folly.
Especial Dispatch to the Press

toPSSi"A ASSS3
AUGUSTA, March 1O.-This morning Prince
A. Sawyer appeared before the investigating
committee on loss of State seal election returns
and other State property The committee at
once came to order, when Chairman Halves
remarked:
We came together by appointment to hear
the testimony of Mr.. Sawyer. Mr.. Sawyer is
present. / will ask him if he is ready to testi-
fly.
Mr.. Sawyer replied: No, / believe have
considered the matter carefully and have
weighed the question. think I shall adhere
to my former position.
Chairman Hawes--That is, you refuse to
testify?
Mr.. Sawyer-Yes; that might be construed
that way, perhaps.
Chairman Hawes-Well, that is the answer
is it?
Mr.. Sawyer-Yes sir.
Chairman Hawes-Well then you will con-
slider yourself in the custody of the Messenger,
while we report to the House for instructions?
Mr.. Sawyer will consider it, and stay
about here.
The contumacious Sawyer then retired with
the Messenger.
Chairman Halves to the committee-What
action will the committee take in this matter?
Senator Bradford-Perhaps the proper way
will be to report to the Honse. I move the
committee to go into secret session.
The committee then went into secret session
and prepared their report to the House setting
forth that Sawyer refused to testify and had
been remanded to the custody of the Messenger
This report was made to the House during its
morning session, but was laid over until the
afternoon session when it was considered.
1t was an unusual scene when Sawyer, the
recusant witness was arraigned before the bal
of the House. Only once before in the history
of the State has such an event happened, and
that was in 1853. There were large number
of spectators present, and when Sawyer, &C.
companed by the seargeant-at-arms, marched
down the middle aisle of the House and stood
before the clerks desk, every eye was directed
at him, there was, for the nonce, buzz OF
excitement. He looked pale and bit his lip in
answering the questions propounded to him
AS was expected he declined to purge himself
of contempt and was ordered to the charge Of
the messenger to be closely kept and confined
until he was ready to testify. The vote to
commit Sawyer was IS to IS.
ingalls, of Wiscasset was the only Fusionist
who voted to commit Sawyer. All the others
who were present did not vote at all or voted
no.
Mr.. Sawyer when remanded to the custody
of the Sergeant-at-Arms by the Speaker was
placed in committee room No II, in the north
end of the State House, under the Senate
Chamber. He takes his confinement easy, but
evidently thinks he is martyr. This even
ing he was permitted to take his supper at the
Cony House, but will pass the night in his
place of confinement where he will be provided
with bed. After tonight he will be strictly
confined to his quarters at the Capitol.
The bribery committee will probably be
able to make their report on Friday or Satur-
day next. There will be minority report by
the Fusion members of the committee, and a
motion TO substitute it for the majority report
will be made and undoubtedly will provoke a
lively debate. The Hale committee on investi-
eating election returns will probably be able
to report by Tuesday of next week.
Adverse legislation will be reported to-mor-
row on order of inquiry relating to amending
section 81, chapter of the Revised Statutes
relating to the duties of Plantation clerks, and
also on bill to repeal part of section 49, chapter
of the Revised Statutes relating to returns
of voters from Plantations.