Rensselaer Republican, Volume 12, Number 18, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 January 1880 — The Maine Legislature. [ARTICLE]

The Maine Legislature.

The following is the Associated Press account of the first and second days* Sroceedings in the Maine Legislature, anuary 7 and 6: The largest crowd that ever made Its way to the State House began to move thitherward as early as eight o’clock this morning. The police at the Capitol were without badges, and had no appearance of bearing arms. Thero was a perfect jam In the corridors and halls and stairways, and It was with great difficulty that those allowed to enter the Legislative nails pushed their way thither. There were very many vacant seats In the House, as the Republicans carried out their programme and kept away, a few only movingabout In the rear of the halL There was no disturbance whatever. IN THIS HOUSE. At a quarter to nine the Assistant Clerk of the House, W. E. Gibbs, called the roll for the selection of seats. The Republicans did not respond to their names; neither did the Fusionists who have been reported as non-afilll-attng. Mr. Hale claimed that certain elected members of the House from cities wore not on the roll, and moved that they be included. He supported his motion In a long speech. Great excitement prevailed during Mr. Hale's remarks, and uproarious applause followed. 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 put the motion, on which the Republicans withdrew from participating In the proceedings. A message was then sent to the Governor and Council, stating that a quorum of the members of the House was present, ready to be qualified. After the notification to the Governor that a quorum was present, the Governor appeared and qualified the members. He then announced that seventy-six members, being a quorum, had taken and subscribed the necessary oaths, and were regularly and duly constituted the House of KeDresentatives. Tbs' announcement was received* with wild apDlause from the outside. Governor Garcelon said he now put into their hands the opinion of the Supreme Court, as well as the petitions of gentlemen from certain cities claiming seats, and Invoked their careful consideration of the same. Three cheers were given for Governor Garcelon, followed by prolonged hisses. The quorum Is made of seventy-five Fusionlsts and one Republican—Eugene Hale. The Fuslonists not participating are Sprout, of Veazie; Voter, of Farmington, and Snow, of Skowbcgan. The House proceeded to organize by the election of John C. Talbot as Speaker by a vote of 72—no quorum. Mr. Hale objected. Overruled, and Mr. Talbot was conducted to the chair. Three cheers were given for Mr. Hale. W. E. Gibbs was chosen Clerk by a vote of 74. Mr. Hale again raised the point that no quorum voted, but was again overruled. The Republicans ol&im fraud in counting a quorum, and that names were signed to the list of persons not present. H. Carlton Cheevor was chosen Assistant Secretary by a vote of 88. Again was the point raised that no quorum voted, and again was it overruled. The question of notifying tho Senate of organization was debated, Mr. Hale taking the ground that there bad been no legal organization of the House and no other bony oould be Informed thereof. Overruled. The protest of members from five cities was presented-by Mr. Hale, who proceeded to address the House in an Impressive and telling speech, urging that the people of Maine are waiting with most intense anxiety for a settlement of these cases. The only way to allay the great excitement prevailing is to admit these members, who are dearly elected according to the expressed decision of the Supreme Court. This course will alone propitiate the people of Maine. He moved that the House go Into Committee of the Wholo and consider the cases. This Legislature ought not to take a single step until even-handed justice Is done. The House refused to go Into Committee of the Whole, five voting In tho affirmative, nnd the matter was referred to the Committee on Elections, when such committee Is appointed. Tho 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 Hale, defending the Court and asking that Constitutional barriers be not swept away. He said that the election of officers and the 'laws passed by this body as now constituted would not be legal. At three p. m. the House adjourned. IN THE SENATE. At ten o’clock the Senators-elect were called to order by Samuel M. Lane, Secretary of the last Senate. Prayer wifeeffered by Rev. Samuel Upjohn. The roll was called, and all the members, responded to their names. £•419 Locke, of Cumberland, at once ■raCTed the hour and read a protest from the Republican members against the Senate proceedings. The Secretary refused to entertain the motion,' and a message was sent to the Governor and Council informing them that the mem-bers-elect were present for the purpose of being qualified. The Governor and Council appeared and the oaths were administered. Senator Locke then renewed his motion, but the Secretary would not entertain it. The election of the President of the Senate then began, the Republicans refusing to serve on committees or participate In the election of the officers. The Senate elected James D. Lamson President. « A protest was put in by the Republican members that the election was not by the legally-elected members. ■ SECOND DAT. __ Both branches assembled at ten o’clock. There was no comparison between the crowd and that of yesterday. Immediately on the opening of the Senate, Senator Hobson, of Lincoln, offered the following: “ Ordered, That a joint select committee of three on the part of the Senate, with such as the House may appoint, be appointed by the Chair to investigate the charges of bribery and Intimidation alleged to have been attempted on members of the Legislature since they received their certificates, with power to send for persons and papers; and that the oommittee be instructed to commence its investigation to-day on the adjournment of this session, and report as soon Rif may be.” This order was opposed by Senators Locke, Harris, Berry and other Republicans, on the ground that there was not even a street rumor for the charge of bribery on the part of the Senate. If so, they would gladly appoint it. If members of the House had been bribed or intimidated, then the Investigation !>h< >uld begin there. The order was passed. On the opening of the House, the Speaker invoked good order, and intimated that the scenes enacted yesterday by outsiders would not be repeated. He had scarcely finished speaking when the doors were opened and the windows thrown up, and the Impatient crowd rushed in. After the people entered, quiet was again restored, but at one time trouble seemed imminent. The records of yesterday were read, and showed the fact that not more than seventytwo votes were thrown for any candidate voted for. Mr. Hale announced the presenoe of sixty certified members, being the Republicans who Withdrew yesterday, who were ready to be They were conducted to the Coun®J} Chamber, but Acting-Governor Lamson defined to qualify them at present, as he did know the extent of his powers In thst direction, but should inform himself. The House then quWtly adjourned.

—The correspondent who asks if there was ever a four-dollar greenback is answered in the negative. Yet we once heard a man sine •• The tv Green.”— Exchange. K