An engraving from Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper (p. 389) portrays Governor Alonzo Garcelon and the Maine State Legislature in session.

The caption reads "Governor Garcelon administering the oath to the senators to whom he had sent certificates of election" and "Maine. -- the organization of the Legislature at the State House, Augusta, January 7th. From Sketches by our Special Artist."

Garcelon, a Democrat, was chosen by the Legislature in 1879 after the election, split three ways, was forced into the Legislature. In 1880, Garcelon's council worked to alter the election results to change the Legislature's majority to Democrats.

The controversy became contentious and former governor Joshua Chamberlain, head of the militia that was called out to keep the peace, mediated a settlement.

Garcelon was a graduate of Bowdoin College, a medical doctor in Lewiston who was Maine's surgeon general during the Civil War, and co-founder of Bates College and the Lewiston Journal.