The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1823-01-28

rate OF interest by a new loan. also oinilteu
to notice the contested election of Mr.. Vance, OF
Calais. the same person whose election was con-
tested in the convention the objection to his
holding his seat was, that persons had been per-
mitted TO vote, who were not qualified; the com
mittee reported that after rejecting the votes OF
unqualified electors, Mr.. Vance appeared to
have had majority. and that he was entitled 70
his seat the report was accepted. This man i
one Of your standing dcbators: he has the true
cdcoetteS loguendt, and rarely suffers a question
to pass without flashing some ''new light" upon II.
The committee on the Pententiary and the
seat Of government made two dashing reports,
which you have no doubt seen the former was
unquestionabiy drawn up by the ex-judgs, as IS
evident from the swelling stvle and the rotund
periods. 1t was hardly fair to decorate sub
ject of so melancholy a character with so much
poetical and beautiful imagery. Strip the report
of all its meretricious charms, you find recon-
mended the pallet of straw aud the solitary cell !;
it Is an echo of the message of the executive to
the last legislature, and as it regards the mode
OF punishment, corresponds think with public
opinion; it was committed TO standing commit
tee of both houses, who have not reported. The
other report recommending Augusta as the most
suitable place for the location Of the government
was also committed and the committee reported
on Thursday, an echo to the first report it is
limited that thie committee did not fairly repr e.
sent the opinion Of the house, that there were
on it but three out Of the nine, believe, vino
were opposed to the report The committee set
out IN very strong language all the advantages
which Augusta possessed or is supposed to possess
Tor the capital; and that they would give a fine
lot OF land to the state by way of bonus, on
which the buildings might be placed these things
were displayed in a very taking manner, but
the lure did not succeed. The subject was cal
led up on Friday, and very animsted debate
arose on the question of postponement to the
next legislature the motion prevailed by ma
jority Of Is. Williams worked like good adj
vocate, but he was in debate, almost single hand
ed: he had To meet attacks on every quarter,
and although he stood rcsolutely IN the breach
be could not defend it. Next year we are DOOM
ell to see " NonsieUr Ionson come ogain." /
cannot account for two members from York,
Kicker and Prime, being in favour Of Augusta.
10 not see that they or their constituents can
gain any thing BY the removal and certainly it
will put them to some Inconvenience. Walling-
ford and Adams did well, and Parsons as usual
fired with figures that oftentimes is useful am
The lot of land which Augusta has
offered to the state is situated little out Of the
village on the road to Haliowell, and was in.
tended perhaps as an advance to the good will OF
their old rival. 1t is rumoured here that the
members from Somerset and Kennebec agreed
cta niH before the report, to support it in any
event. provided nevertheless, that it should be in
favour OF some part of kennebec.
The Distrcting bill produces considerable
difference of opinion ; the committee made re-
port which divided almost every county, and
poor Oxford was completely Gerrymandered by
having towns from Lincoln tackled on to it. In
the Senate however, this was amended and coun-
ty lines adopted as the basis Of the districts; a
variety Of plans are proposed, but think it very
probable that county lines will be finally adopt
ed According to that mode Cumberland, York,
Lincoln, and Kennebec each form one district:
the other counties wiA be divided as convenient
" az possible. This il a subject Of good deal
Of difficulty, and satisfactory arrangement can
be made only By compromise Of opinion; the
large counties must be willing to give up some
thing in order to be preserved entire.
had almost forgotten to notice the grand
caucus for President: this subject was started
By the discussion which arose out of the election
of Gen Chandler: At FIRST the friends of John
@. Adams only were invited, but the meeting
on that invitation was adjourned and all parties
in the legislature were requested 10 attend at
the adjournment. The meeting was quite full
Mr.. Bond of Hallowell made the report, which
you have seen in the papers an attempt was
made by some influential men to procure an alb
solutc nomination Of Adams, but on the whole il
was thought sufficient TO express their decided
appreciation Of the man and his fitness for the sta
ton, protesting at the same time against their
being in favour Of Crawford the President of
the Senate was decidedly in favour Of thor
ough nonnation the effect probably will be
the same. Holmes and others will undoubtedly
vince at this proceeding and be at loss what
course to pursue, whether to send in their adhc-
sion, or oppose the torrent of public opinion.
The Argus folks were quite undecided in this
embarrassing situation they were on the horns
of dilemma; themselves and their leaders are
in favour of Crawford: the mass of the repubi-
cans in the state have been proved to be in ia
your Of Adams; TO make sudden retreat would
be indelica and perhaps unadvised, to stand
out resolutely in opposition, not to be thought Of
they therefore have parlied with the enemy and
will no doubt attempt some compromise.
There are several schemes up, respecting the
courts; bill has passed the Senate introducing
the nisi prius system there is a strong party
and probably majority of the House, in favour
Of abandoning the Common Pleas &transferring
its duties to the Supreme Court this party has
very much increased, since the result touching
Judge Whitman's salary; for being persuaded
that he will resign, and equally well persuaded
that his place will not be supplied they do not
wish to retrograde to any thing like the old or
der Of things. Judge G. is to be successor Of
Judge W.. under these circumstances it is con-
fdently stated, that there will be general
overthrow Of the system and the newly enter
tanned hopes of the eiderdnt Judge. Another
prniect is rnmnured. and TINT is 10 abolish the