Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1854-01-19
eastern Gtmts.
BATH, JANUARY 10, 1864.
The Observation-Disclosures the Matter


as the story goes. 1t is true not much OF the
general legislative business OF the session has
been oeoomplished in the fortnight past-that
is true Of every Legislature for the first month
Of the session. A month is required for the
members TO get the hang Of things and under
a.and each other-and this year on account OF
the combination of heretofore opposing ele-
ments in the House, the Senate has found i,
extremely difficult to get acquainted with that
body. If the popular branch don't find on,
there Is a Senate, and got pretty well aequaint-
ed with the material that enters largely into
its compositinn. before the winter is over, we
shall be mistaken.
No time lost in legislation yet. We havo in
Maine about twice as much as We need, and
the trig that is under the wheels at the Capt.
tol in Vi evils not very great evil after all:
The business of the people can all be done after
the first Of February and inasmueh as the
coalition that rules over tho House of Repre-
sentatives are determined to force. upon the
people of Maine minority Governor again,
we want to see them have hard job of it.
The present House Of Representatives i,
composed of combination determined on the
blowingup Of the democratic party of the
par excellence, dozen free soilers, and the
''great whig party" headed by Noah Smith.
Jr. Esq, admirable guiding spirit for such
motley throng, that branch is somehow or
other impressed with the idea that they can
do up the business of legislation, and give
Maine government for 1854, without the aid
of Senate. They even talk about putting q
wing into the United States Senate, after hav-
ing made Mr. Crosby Governor. Tho wings of
the State have at last got the liquor question
and the free soil question SO completely under
their management and control, for their own
political advantage, that on the very frst day
Of the session thoy wrro prepared for ten
strike. But somehow or other. things don't
go and here we are, after a session of a fort
night, as we are, the wings looking round after
somebody to get them out of bad fix. The
coalition does not seem to work and on Satur-
day night last, not q whig leader was TO be
found in Augusta having left the rank end file
and their allies to Sunday meditation on the
solemnity of their particular and peculiar fate.
But thanks to the democratic voters Of the
State Of Maino, we hare Senate, a democratic
Senate sticking to the right and the constitu-
ton. They are and have been ready to go
into convention to fill the vacancies in two Of
the Senatorial districts. And they are the
judges CT the proper time for convention to
fill the remaining districts. But the Housc Of
Representatives says no. A convention for
the whole or none. We are the popular
branch and We can judge Of your duty. You
are no Senate. Thus it is, that coalition OF
ambitious and designing men in the House I'M
dertake to trample upon the rights of the high
or branch of tho Legislature and the constitu-
ton, and the business Of the session Is delayed.
The people understand it. and will put the
blame where it belongs, on tho hydra head Of
the coalition monster.
On Tuesday. the last day Of the second week
of the session. the majority in the House began
to show signs of desire to get out Of the fix
in which they find themselves placed. Hav-
judging Of the election Of the members Of the
Senate and of the motives and acts of that
branch, powers confded to no other body than
the Senate itself by the constitution, tho House
found out as the evaporation Of the hot zeal
Of new coalition disappeared, that seeing
ourselves as others SEQ us is very advantageous
in emergencies.
In order to get out of this fix in some way,
even if obliged, to use vulgar expression, to
creep through a very small hole, the House
on Tuesday was evidently inclined to cali upon
the Judges of The Supreme Court to exercise
their power of vision, and ascertain if, after all,
there was not in the Senate Chamber body
having some form and semblance to a Maine
Senate. Mr.. Fessenden took occasion 10 make
another speech, in which, though he stuck 10
his doctrine of ''no Senate" he threw out Crap
nels to steady himself in case the decision Of
the Supreme Judges should be against him.
We shall be mistaken if they hold him.
Resignation under difficulties. was plainly
written on the face of every wing. Noah
Smith looked subdued-his muscles did not
play as well as usual. Wiley, the captain of
The free soil force, had suddenly disappeared,
and Cowan, seated by the side of the Clerk of
the House, anxiously looked about for a horn
Of dilemma.
In the Senate a whig Senator went through
q last expiring effort in presenting a minority
report of the committee on elections. The ma
jority allowed him to present it as a paper of
his own getting up, and with solemn counte-
nance, after prayer by Rev. DR.. Tappan, he, the
Senator, went through the reading in tones of
melody. President Cutler quietly
ruled the thing out of ordor. An appeal was
taken, and the President was sustained
The upshot Of the matter is, that the Supreme
Judges are to be Called upon for their opinion
in the case. After delaying the organization of
the government for two weeks, and trampling
upon the constitution, the House is Obliged, be-
cause ashamed to take the back track, to call
upon the Judiciary 10 smooth the way.
1t is fortunate the democratic senators elect
ed are men of nerve. They have stood their
ground nobly under all sorts Of insult and rdi-
cule. Occupying position impregnabIe, they
have been firm, unyiclding, against all assaults
OF bargaining and corrupt set of schemers
VINO happen to have gained a majority inGu-
ence IN the House. An inch of that ground
has not been and will not be given up. Honor,
theh' we say to those who stand on the firm
foundation OF the constitution. Look At tho