Democratic Sentinel, Volume 3, Number 50, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 January 1880 — THE MAINE MUDDLE. [ARTICLE]

THE MAINE MUDDLE.

Gen. Chamberlain, commander of the State militia of Maine, iseued a proclamation on the 12th inst., ref using to recognize the President of the Senate as actiDg Governor of the State. He also issued a proclamation creating “ the military division of Maine,” de-iguating himself asCommander-in-Chi' f, warning allarmod bodies of men not regularly enrolled as militia to disperse, reproducing the order of ex-Gov. Garcelon, in which he authorized Chamberlain to protect the property and institutions of tho State until his successor was duly qualified. The Republican members of the Legislature were greatly encouraged by these two manifestoes, and in the evening they filed into the Capitol and quietly took possession of it. Both houses were duly organized, and resolutions passed in each appointing a committee to wait on the Supreme ‘kinrt and ask its opinion as to the legality of the proceedings. The Fusionist Legislature had a brief session on tho 13tb, but made no attempt to transact business. Tire Republican members were not in session, having adjourned at an early hour in the morning, after an a’l-night sossion, until the 17tli.- The FuSionist committee appointed to investigate the bribery charge) mot and took considerable testimony. A cousin of William R. While swore that ane ffort was made by the latter to bribe, him, and that he himself told White that Swann cou’d be bought. White refused to obey a summons to appear before the investigating committee, alleging that it was rot legally o ganized, and had no authority to acimirister orihs or compel the attondane3cf witnesses. Maj. Gen. Chamberlain was formally called on to recognizq tho authority o' Acting-Gov. Lams m, but refused, basing k : s action on the order of Garcelon ditecting h : m to ta' e charge of tho institutions and property of the State. O. D. Baker, counsel for the Republican Advisory Committee, delivered au opinion to the effect that there was no ActiDg Governor, as Lamson, the claimant, was not President of a constitutional Senate. The situation at Augusta was virtually unchanged on the 14th. The Legislature met at the usual hour, the Republicans remaining away. The Bribery Committee met, but transacted little business. The Election Committee reported in favor of unseating Dunnell, Republican member from Westbrook, and the seating of Stiles, Democrat, on the ground that Dunnell had but twe majority, and three men at least voted for h m who had no right to do so. Action on the report was postponed. Everything was quiet at Augusta on the 15th. In the House tho Committee on Elections reported, giving the seat of Donnells, of Weetbrooke, Republican, to Merritt W. Stiles, Democrat The report waa carried without opposition, and Stiles qualified and took Ilia seat* Acting Governor Lamson issued an order to the Sheriff of Kennebec county, informing him that bis deputies were no. longer required to protect the public buildirgs, and directing him to dismiss them. The Sheriff refused to obey the order. The House Bribery Committee continued its investigations, but elicited nothing of importance.

Tlte Maine Supreme Court, on tho 16th inst., answered all the interrogations submitted to it by the Legislature. Tho decision was in favo* of tho Republicans and adverse to the Fusionists upon overy point. The Legislature Went into tue eleciion of a Governor, the choice falling on Maj. Joseph L. Smith. Other State officers were also chosen. In the House, tho report of the Election Committee declaring William Murray, Fusionist, of Vassalboro, elected to a seat * instead of Rev. Dr. Nathaniel Butler, Republican, was adopted, thus bringing tbe members of the House to 77. Gov. Smith delivered a brief inaugural address} and also issued an order relieving Gen. Chamberlain from the command of the State militia. The Briboiy Committee continued its investigation. Thomas B. Swann repeated in greater detail the statements previously made by him in regard to the methods adopted by Wallace R. White to induce him to stay away from the House.or resign his seat. Solon Chase corroborated Swann's tostimonv in certain particulars. James O. White, member of the Legislature and cousin of Wallace R. White, testified that the latter offered him SI,OOJ to stay away from the Legislature. Wentworth and Cushman, members of the House, swore that efforts were made to bribe them to absent themselves from the State House. Saturday,-the 17th of January, was a lively day at the Maine State capital. The Fusion Legislature met in the forenoon, and, after the appointment of committees by both the Senate and House to take into consideration the situation of affairs and report upon the best mode of procedure, adjourned until Monday, tho 19th. Immediately after the Funionist's disEersed the Republican members of the legislature took possession of the State House and elected Daniel F. Davis Governor, 8. J. Chadborne Secretary of State, J. W. Foglor Treasurer, H. B. Cleaves Attorney General and 8. J. Gallaghan Adjutant General. Davis was sworn in as Governor and delivered an inaugural address, 1 After the transaction of some routine business both houses quietly adjourned. During the session Blaine came upon the floor of the House and was received with the wildest demonstrations of applause.