The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1822-02-08
DTBATISs
SEAT OF GOVERNMENT.


On Wednesday, the Houseof Representatives
took ND the report of the committee on place
of meeting for the next Legislature. The report
| in substance was, that the mkt legislature as
semble in Portland, and that il is not expedient
to choose committee to visit different places
with view 10 establish peHnancnt seat Of 60
Fernment. The report was first read in tue -
nate, and came down TO- the House with rider,
the substance Of which was that il as expedicnt
to Instruct the committee to whom the subject OF
State Prison is committed, to visit different
parts of the State, and ascertain which place IS
most suitable tor permanent seat of govern
ment, and report at the next legislatr r.. The
question was stated from the chair on conLurring
with the Senate in their amendment.
MIR. adams, chairman Of the .cornmittce NJ
whom the subject had been cpnifnitted, made 4
few remarks, and stated few facts, merely &
pening the debate.
He was followed at some length bv
Mr.. SpfasR. The first argument offered bv
this gentleman in favour of the amendment sent
from the Senate, founded on the additional
! eXpence incurred by the state by the meeting
of the legislature in this town in preference ID
llallowcll. His calculations we're made from the
preceding 70 read Il s a1nt sfsf9n Which, S
hc sss interrupted BY
4 - A~NN'~H VI >fOiLdiT, on question order
He observed that the report was one of ;o;,,.
committee, and ought to be taken in eocb bou,e
| as II was Diade; but iastead of do,nq thar bo
said, the house had improperly gone To the die
cusslon OF the amendment proposed 10 tire io5nt
| report I'D the Senate. This course. he observed
was most unparlIsmcntary-he never knew n
DIS "hole experience Of legislation a greater de-
| parture from etiquette, than the course pursued
| III the Senate, OF committing the report 10 a g.
Iect committee, and that the house should take
up their amendment instead Of the Joint renox,
The only question which could with propriety
come up, was, on accepting the report Of the
! Joint committee
The Speaker explained the facts IN the case.
| ana observed, that although il had freopentIy
been the practice in the house when subject
came down under like circumstances with ihc
present, the question had been taken on coacur-
eng with the Senate; bit he agreed with Gel,
Lewis that such proceeding was not strictly par
, liamentarv
Mr.. adams and Mr.. Spragte spoke on the
question Of order--the. latter gentleman said tie
efect was the same, in whichever way the qucs-
tlon came ,up-the point clearly presented ID
lie mouse, was, whether IL was expedient or not,
g instruct committee for a certain purpose
ihe speaker, after accomplishing the course
tne SUBJECT had taken, stated the question before
.i'e mouse to be, the acceptance OF tie report Of
The Joint committee: -
Then on motion of
Mr.. Hayes, Of South Berwick, the report was
amended BY inserting the resolve as il came down
from the senate, 10 instruct the committee Oh
me State Prison, TO enquire As 10 suitable
place for the permanent seat Of government.
Mr. SPrdgue resumed his remarks on tie
uilerehce OF expense, to the State and TO indi-
tiuuais' who resort to the seat of government.
between having it at this place and Haowell.
INC items TO which he particularly referred.
were INC travel OF members, lin which be made
t'ie difference exceed $780, postage. fuel and
ooard. The whole expenses, that to individuals
q wen a. 70 The treasury by tie seat of govern
iients being established in Portland. would ac-
cording to bis calculation. exceed those which
"ouiu DE incurred at IIaowell about S3.27G
annually. He then went hack IN the meeting
OF The Convention. and showed the expense ir n
that Time to the present, which had been paid
oy tue state on account Of the meetings Of tie
government IN Portland. which he stated ~
oe so'o<o. Now. he asked. when IL is consider
~ ~" awe The people are To expenses, an
~" narrowly they watch the treasury, VIII
SANCTION Tins waste OF public money, and bc
salished that not even a committee is raised. IL
JuuSe whether II may not, in future. be avoided:
ii's next argument was. that the goycrn1en.
Dns!i' NOT TO De established in a seaport town
~ I" open 10 the incursions Of public enc
my ana tlie property Of Tie state j thereby eA-
posed 70 loss and this objection had particular
iorce when applied 10 Portland for il harbour
was not deiensrhe, and the public property
oouiu not be protected there, even thoush lle
S,"'e should he at vast expense for tie pt7osr
t t'iu oe' 'ue,' he scat of any government aiwa.s
LAC attraction, hr 49,, wilH ~ e.icu.. u!