Democratic Sentinel, Volume 3, Number 51, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 January 1880 — THE MAINE MUDDLE. [ARTICLE]

THE MAINE MUDDLE.

The Republican Assembly held a brief session at Augusta op the 19th inst., but did nothing of importance. After the adjournment Gov. Davis gave orders to exclude the Fusionists from the State House. In the afternoon the latter, he.ided by Gov. Smith, presented themselves at tho gateway of the Capitol, but admission was denied them, and they proceeded to organize and transaot their business on the sidewalk. After a very short soision, at which it was determined to secure Union Hall and continue their sessions from day to day, they adjourned. Tho Secretary of State and Governor secured rooms in the same building. Money enough, it ii said, has been guaranteed to run their Legislature all winter, and pay every man his salary. They say they intend to appeal to Congress, and will soon have a committee there to investigate matters. The Fusioniots were very indignant at their exclusion from the Capitol. They say Gov. Smith could have had 10,000 men in readiness at a moment’s notice, but hiß counsel has been for peace, and has prevailed. The State Treasurer issued an order instructing tho subordinates of his office not to honor any demand for the payment of money from the treasury emanating from, or issued by, the authority of either of the Legislatures until further advised by him.

The Republican Legislature, at its session on the 20th, adopted a resolution denouncing the Fusion body as bogus, and acting in violation of the constitution and laws of the State, and directing the Judiciary Committee to inquire what legislation is necessary to puniih them. It was ordered that the Secretary of State be directed to procure a suitable seal, which shall be acknowledged as the seal of the State. Four Fusiomsts went over to the Republicans during the day. The Fusionists met in Union Hall. The committee appointed to report upon a plan of procedure recommended submitting a series of questions to the Supreme Court After a good deal of talk an adjournment was voted without action on the report. The Republicans forced open the safe of the Secretary of State’s office; there were no valuable papers in it, nor the seal of the State, or official election returns. It iv conjectured that the returns have been destroyed. ■ Matters wore a quiet look at Augusta on the 21st The Republican Legislature showed a disposition to conciliate the Fusionists by giving them places on the most important committees appointed, but the latter held severely aloof. Samuel A. Holbrook was elected State Treasurer. The Fusion Legislature met at Union Hall, and voted to draw up a statement of facts and a series of questions, to be submitted to the members, who will decide whether to send them to the Supreme Court or not The Fusionists established a State Department in a business blook, and the Secretary of State issued the following: “We have returned to first principles. We have a pine table and chairs. The great seal of the State is in possession of the only legally elected and qualified Secretary of State. The Capital Guards and other companies have been ordered to their armory as a precautionary measure.” A Republican mass meeting was held in the evening at which Senator Blaine was the chief speaker. Nothing of interest transpired at the Maine State capital, on the 22d. The Fusionist Legislature discussed the propriety of removing to Biadeford, the Mayor of that city having offered to protect the’ Legislature, should it hold its sessions there. Ia the Republican House resolutions were introduced and referred providing for the election of a Governor, beginning with this year, by a plurality instead of a majority vote, The

Fnsioniata were Btill in possession of the Treasury Department, and the Republicans were counseling together regarding what course they should pursue to get possession of the money-bags. Nearly all the available State funds being deposited in a Boston bank, subject to the order of the Fusion Treasurer, it would require the signature of that functionary to draw any of them out. The Republicans at the Maine capital were somewhat excited on the 23d by reports that, the Fasionists intended to forcibly seize and occupy the State House, and Gov. Davis called out three companies of militia, with which he garrisoned the Capitol. The Republican Legislature adopted the resolutions providing for an amendment to tbe constitution making a plurality sufficient to elect in gubernatorial contests. The Fusion Legislature tabled the proposition to submit questions to the Supreme Court. The Republicans were concentrating a large militia force at the Capital, and there were reports that the Fusj&nists were to be dispersed at the point of the bayonet. The situation at Augusta, Me., as outlined in the dispatches of Jan. 24 and 25, was about as follows: Republican Gov. Davis had garrisoned the State Capitol thoroughly, and had a Gatling gun commanding the entrance. The Republicans claimed that the Fusionists were organizing a force for capturing the State House, and were drilling in te- - cret. The Republican Legislature adopted measures looking toward the repression of the Fusionists. The Fusionists claimed that all these preparations were made witnout ground, and that the scare was caused by a lot of boys pasting up three-cornered pieces of paper as a practical joke. Fusionist Gov. Smith issued a proclamation stating that his supporters contemplated no violence, and stating that the placing of troops and artillery in the State House was but another act in the military ursurpation under which tbe State was languishing. He claimed that he was the legal Governor, and expressed the belief that his authirity would soon be' recognized by all good citizens. Both houses of the Fusion Legislature voted to send a series of questions to tho Supreme Court.