The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1857-01-09
The next Legislature.

The Legislature which begins its session
next Wednesday will attract to itself an un-
usual degree OF public attention. The Re-
publican party resumes its sway in the coun-
ellis Of the State, and by an unprecedented
majority that indicates the desire Of the
people to have nothing more to do with such
principles, such measures and such men as
made up Z" the winter of our discomfort " q
year ago q, Augusta. II ever body Of men
was popularity damned lin the sense Of con-
demned), it was the Legislature Of '56-and
the present may DO sure ofavoiding the pos
sibility of its fate by rejecting the least ap-
pearance Of its example.
Coming together. therefore, with such
abundant tokens Unpopular regard, the men,
bers Of the next Legislature will SEQ that
they deserve and perpetuatc the favor
There are difficulties in the way-chief Of
which Is the great strength Of our party
An able minority is always q good thing-it
winnows away the chat of hasty legislation,
drives the majority to their really strong
positions, and makes them agree where they
ought to agree. But we can have nothing
OF this at the coming session-for the demoe-
racy are utterly Insignificant in numbers,
and nearly as bad or in talent. SUPERIOR
prudence and watchfulncss, therefore, in our
ranks must make up for the want Of saluta-
~ opposition. And with such men As Deb
lois, Garcelon, Gilbert, SpofFord and Others
Of the House, with Brown, Scammon. VIII
liams and Magoun Of the Senate, we cannot
doubt that wise discretion Will character.
iIc every part Of the legislative proceedings.
But it is essential for the members to bear
ever in mind their relation to their constitu.
ents. They are the creatures Of the people
and in every event their cardinal thought
should be respecting the wish Of those they
represent. Strong as our party is, it can be
overturned by the doings Of a single Legisla-
ture-and surely ,riH be, il the members 90
down to Augusta to put their faith in mana.
gers, or their own fancies, to the neglect Of
their constituents. But it is very fortunate,
at the present time, that the will of the peo-
pie has been definitely expressed on the most
important topics, thus directing the Lcgisla-
ture. The Maine Law, for instance, is re-
moved from the deliberations Of this session.
As to the more ordinary topics Of legislation,
it would be foreign to the position we have
laid down, for us to undertake to prescribe
the course Of the members. Our banks are
to be rcchartcred, and that will open the
whole subject of banking institutions and
lead to such stationary provisions as sound
experiences may suggest. The public will
want to be guaranteed against the uncertain
validity of the dcings of some of our civil
officers during the past year. Other impor-
tant matters will arise, but not SO many, we
apprehend, as to make the session q long
one.
The distribution Of Offices will be among
the first and most important things to be at
tended to. We have no preferences to ex-
press, however strongly we may feel on the
point out of regard to the good Of the cause.
We only desire that the wishes and convic.
tons of the people may prevail. And We
enioin upon the members to make that the
paramount consideration. 80 far M IL can be
brought to bear, whether it relate to tho
choice Of L. S. Senator, or to any other
elrctiOn, down to that of the humblest OFF,
Ger Of either Legislative branch. Where that
authority may not be apparent, let every
man view the whole ground for himself, and
rely upon his own honest impulses and con-
victions.-Poriiand ADD. Of The 5h.