The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1858-04-02
The legislature.

about the average length Oh the pas' 'en "
fifteen years-lsst year IL lasted lol days. and
tn. previous year lls56l one hundred and
eleven days.
The closing proceedings were unusually
pleasant. and indeed throughout the entire
session there has predominstsd an unusua
amount Of good feeling between the men,
bers, and the debates have been free' TO an
unusual degree. from those acrimonious and
partisan exhibitions 30 apt to come in and In
terrup, the current Of social feeling. and not
unfrequenily to operate most injariOusIy on
legislation.
When the Legislature assembled session
somewhat shorter than has actually taken
place was hoped for, less than the usual
amount Of private business was anticipated
and, with the exception Of the Liquor law.
no interesting question Of general legislation
was expected to come up for discussion and
settlement. In both Of these particulars the
result has shown the public were mistaken
The amount Of private business considered
was fully up to that Of previous years, and
in addition to the Liquor law. the proposed
losning Of the credit Of the State to the
Aroostook Railroad Company as "a matter oil
public policy, to check emigration and pro-
mote the settlement Of the public lands, the
Insolvent law defeated and the Rail road
commissioner question have been before the
two bodies, claiming their time and attention,
as has also change in the policy in respect
to the payment Of costs in criminal proseeu-
tons.
II the session has been few days longer
than was Anticipated. though not beyond the
usual length. it may be safely said that 1t has
been one in which great deal of work has
been done, moss Of il wisely, and has been
brought to close as early as was consistent
with careful consideration Of the public bu-
siness. The interests Of our State are so di-
yersiaed tina, naturally there arises more SUBJ
iests requiring legislative action than there
would otherwise be II we had but one pre-
dominating interest; and We deceive our
selves If we suppose the legislation of the
State can be suitably done in much shorter
time than il has taken this year.
We have kept oYr readers informed Of the
progress Of such Legislative measures, public
and private. rs would be likely to interest
them. Ordinarily some of the most impor-
tant measures before the Legislature are set.
tied definitely in the las, days Of its exist
snee. II was so this year. The contemplated
loan Of the credit of the State. defeated in
the Senate by . vote af l6 to 10. and in the
House by vote of IS yeas to 50 nays, was
finally referred to the next Legislature in
both branches, and the proposed amendment
to the Constitution wen, with IL.
The Bill devolving the costs in criminal
prosecution. passed both branches and is now
the law Of the State. The bill passed the
House on Tuesday by the very decisive vote
Of IS yeas, +3 nays. We trust that the change
viii operate for the public benefit.
Contrary to our expectation, two resolves,
one granting $500 = year for ten years tothe
East Maine Conference Seminary on the con-
tingeney ofthe friends Of tina, institution rais-
ing $4,000. and another giving $500 year
IN the westbrook Seminary on like contingen.
cy, were passed. We should have been glad
to have had il our power to say that like
Justice was done to Limerick academy. Had
the claims of Limerick been earlier presented
and favorable report been obtained from the
committee. as we think 1t might have oooa,
the result might have been different. We
have already stated the grounds on which the
East Maine Conference and Wes,brook Sem
inaries asked for aid. and we will only say
that we are satisfied tina, the action taken BY
the Legislature in behalf of these institutions
isjudicious.
The Liquor Law question is to be submit
ted to vote Of the people the frst Tuesday
in June, in this form-the people are to ex-
press their preferences by choosing either the
''license law Of 1885," or the "prohibi,ory
law of 1883" This manner Of submission
brings up the distinct question Of license or
prohibition, and was approved BY large
majority Of the members Of the republican
party Of both the ultra prohibitionists and the
more liberal. on the superstition that its ten
dency would be to bring out larger popular
vote. While we should have preferred to
have forgotten the existence OF the law Of
1856, as il seems to be forgotten by the peo-
pie. we trust that the expectations of good to
Be derived by this method Of submission will
BE- fully realized.
On Saturday, both branches held three
sessions, the evening session extending into
the late hours Of the night.
On Monday two branches met at half-past
8 A. NJ. and passed upon all business before
them. inserchanged sentiments Of good will.
adopted resolutions Of respect to the presid-
ing officers, listened to their replies. and a,
about eight an adjournment sine dis in both
branches placed the Legislature Of 1855 among
the things ofthc past.
We reserve for future occasion. and for
more convenient season. some further account
Of its history and description Of its prominent
members.