Democratic Sentinel, Volume 3, Number 49, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 January 1880 — MAINE. [ARTICLE]

MAINE.

Meeting of the Legislature, There was considerable excitement at Augusta, Me., on the 7th inst, the day set apart for the convening of the Legislature. Dispatches state that the largest crowd that ever made ita way to the State House began to move thitherward as early as 8 o’clock a. m. The police at the Capitol were without badges, and had no appearaneo of bearing arms. There Was a perfect jam in the corridors and halls and stairways, and it was with great difficulty that those allowed to enter the legislative halls pushed their way thither. There were very many va--cant seats in the House, as the Republicans carried out their programme, and kept away, a few only moving about in tbe rear of the hall. There was no disturbance whatever. The principal interest centered in the popular branch, tho proceedings in the Senate hardly reaching a ripple of excitement' In * the House, after the catling of the roll, Eugene Hale, the Republican leader, claimed that certain elected members from cities were not on the roll, and moved that they be included. He supported his motion in a long speech. Objections were made to the motion from the other side, and Mr. Hale was ruled out of order by the Assistant Clerk, who refused to pnt the motioD, on which the Republicans withdrew from participating in the proceedings. A message was then seat to the Governor and Council, stating that a quorum of the members of the House was present, ready to be qualified. Great excitement prevailed during Mr. Hale’s remarks, and uproarious applause followed. After the notification to the Governor that a qup rum wan present, the Governor appeared and'qualified tno members. He then announced that seventy-six members,being - a quorum, had taken and subscribed to tbe necessary oaths, and were regularly and duly constituted the House of Representatives. This announcement was received with wild applause from the outside. Gov. Garcelon said ho now put into their hands the opinion of the Supreme Court, as well as tho petition of gentlemen from certain cities claiming seats, and invoked their oareful consideration of the same. Three cheers were given for Gov. Garcelon, followed by prolonged hisses. The quorum is made of seventy-five Fusionists and one Republican, Eugene Halo. The Fusionists not participating are Sprout, of Veazie; Voter, of Farmington, and Snow, of Skowhegan. Tho House proceeded to organize by the election of John C. Talbott as Bpeaker by a vote of 73. The protest of members from five cities was presented by Mr. Hale, who moved tint the House go into committee of-the whole and consider the cases. The Farmington and other cases were also referred. Mr. Dickey remarked that the Supreme Court had nothing to do with the .action of the Legislature, which drew forth a plea from Mr. Hale defending the court, and asking that constitutional barriers be not swept away. Ho said that the election of officers under laws passed by this body, as now constituted, would not be legal. In the Senate,-thero was little of interest to the enormous crowd which thronr.od tho CapitoL

* But little of interest or importance transpired at Augusta on the Bth. Both, branohes of the Legislature held brief sessions. In the House, the Republican members bolding certificates, sixty in number, presented themselves and asked to bo sworn in, but the Clerk refused to administer the oath just at present, as ho did not exactly know tho extent of his powers in that direction, but should inform himself. “In statu quo” expresses the condition of affairs at the Maine capital on the 9th. The House was in session all day without a quorum at aDy time. Not a single Republican member appeared on the floor. Messrs. Swann and Harriman, the members who made affidavit that attempts were made by the R'publicans to bribe them, gave details of the r negotiations with the corrupt solicitor, from their seat 3in the House. The man who paid the money was stated to be Wallace R. White, of Winthrop. Gen. Chamberlain, of the militia, issued a proclamation, notifying the people that he had taken charge of all public property, and would faithfully guard it until a Governor-and other State officers --had been elected. Matters wore a quiet look at the Maine capital on Saturday and Sunday, the 10th and 11th. The House adjourned early on Saturday for want of a quorum, all the Republicans being absent. The State Treasurer refused to pay out any money, and declined to honor two orders passed by the Senate. Eight armed men were discovered in the library of the State House, apparently concealed, and guarding a quantity of arms and ammunition. At the demand of the police authorities these men were removed. The arms taken from Bangor to Augusta were returned. William R. White, of Winthrop, who was charged by Representatives Swann and Harriman with attempting to bribe them to stay away from the Legislature, issued a card making a positive denial of any such transaction. James D. Lamson, President of the Senate, assumed the duties of Governor pending the election of a successor to Garcelon, whose term expired on the 9th.