The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1823-02-04

. ell to Philadelphia. tie believed lie impression
| TO have been general, at Washington, that The
removal 10 the interior vas an unfortunate step,
and ever TO be regretted. He hoped, therefore,
that We should not be in haste, and adopt meas
ure, fruitful IN expense, and which we should
afterwards regret.
Mr.. GRAY, Of Fowdoinhan,, was opposed to
tie amendment. lie thought it only an evasion
Of the main question he wished to meet every
subject fairly upon its own merits. fie thought
the present a good time. TO decide tie question,
and to TX upon suitable place for tie estab-
hshment OF the scat Of government, in order that
preparations might be mate for the event. tie
said gentlemen objected 10 the removal on ac-
count OF the expense OF pubic buildings. The
report, as amended by the Senate, obyiates that
objection, for it is prospective in IFS operation,
When the time arrives we snail be i'll situation
to meet the necessary expenses.
Mr.. q. said there was great reason why the
Legislature should meet at Augusta. 1t was about
the centre of travel for the members and great
expense in this item a!oncsyould be saved. MIR.
q. then went into some calculations to show
how mich would be saved in travel by meeting at
a. which lie made about G40O. He SAID that when
it was once determined that Augusta should be
the permanent seat Of government, people in
tending to this point, and thus much travel
would be saved. Fhe convenience OF the ma
jority and tse saving Of expense TO the state
were important considerations to determine the
opinion Of tie House lie believed that il was
for the interest Of the people Of this state that
place should be designated for the seat OF gov
eminent, aud that without delay.
.Hr. Clap thought it his duty 70 correct the
stateHlenis OF the gentlemen from Augusta and
B0wdoiniam relative TO the greater expense at
tending the sessions of the legislature here and
at Augusta. lie repeated what he had before
stated when this question was discussed, con-
corning the difference of travel He said be was
well persuaded that the calculation was correct,
that the travel of members would amount 10 but
$50 miles more to this place than to Augusta,
which, at two dollars for 90 miles would be but
S88, and but Sl66, if You calculate the travel
both ways. The statement OF the gentlemen was
therefore not correct when he affirmed it to he
4 or $500. Mr.. G.. said there seemed to be
among certain people very restless spirit Oh
this question. They have not been content that
the Legislature should remain here single year.
lie SAID, if there was any hope Of gaining any
qni2t BY yielding to their solicitations he would
willingly submit; but, said he, the moment tins
point IS gained we shall be urged to make adj
vanccs ofmonev for p1rblic Buildings. The peO-
pie Of the Kennebec keep their eye steady upon
one point without winling, and until they have
accomplished their object, they will not rest.
Mr. c. said his great OBJ eCtion to adopting the
report was the situation of our treasury. 1t is
not in a situation 10 meet the heavy demands
which must be made upon it, if we fix upon
place for the seat Of government We shall soon
be asked for $40 or $4,000, TO build State Pris-
On. We owe a large debt already and now are
ready e. incur the great expense, in addition
to all this, for the establishment Of seat Of gov
crnmcnt. when there seems to be no great or
urgent reason for tie thing lie thought the
members were not prepared to undertake the
measure.
1t being now one o'clock, the house adjourned
TO Friday morning, at 9 O'Clock.
The question was then taken up again when
Mr.. Adams moved TO amend the amendment
His object was 10 remove from MIR. Parsons
amendment the objection, that it provided that
the legislature should convene in Portland until
1880. Mr.. Adams said, he found some members
wiling 20 vote for the former part of Mr. ar
sons amendment, who were unwilling to give a
pledge that the Legislature should continue in
Portland certain length of time. His object
was to remove from The subject a.tembarrass-
ments, which might cucumber it, that a single
principle might be presented to the House, and
that was, whether they were ready, at this time,
10 designate place for tue permanent seat OF
government seven years hence, or not.
.lir. Wi4lams opposed this amendment it did
not prevail.
Tie question then returned on Mr.. Parsons
anne ndIuent, and It was rejected, 80 10 80.
an attempt was then made to postpone the
subject to the next legislature, which did not
prevail. And the final question was taken on
accepting the report, as amended in the senate,
and decided in the affirmative IS to 46.