The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1858-02-05
Gbe yniun unh gournul.
FRIDAY MORNING. FEB. 8. 1883.
Editorial Correspondence.

FRIDAY MOHNINQ, FEB o, 1900.
Editorial Correspondence.
AUGUSTA, Jan. 80. 1858.
In looking over the record Of legisla.
tive work for the week as presented in
the TrirWeeklies, Journal and Age,
find little or nothing that will pay for re.
publishing in weekly paper. The de.
.tructive spirit, or the reiormatory spirit,
among the members, has cropped us
pretty extensively in the shape Of divers
and sundry articles, directing the Judic-
larry committee to enquire whether this
or that provision Of the Revised Statutes
would not be improved by certain amend.
ments, or whether the public veal would
not be promoted by some new law. Ill
were novice in these matters, and did
not know that by far the largest part Of
these missels hurled to the Judiciary
committee, originated in the very lauda-
bic and patriotic desire Of the members
who propel them, to let their constituent,
know through the papers that they were
alive, l might think the statutes were to
be torn to shreds, and to cry out in behalf
of the people, one Of whom l am, for
peace for the people and preservation Tor
the laws. Contenting myself, however,
with the lessons Of experience, and peep
ing into the future and seeing those or
ders successfully disappearing in the un-
limited sea OF Legislation incxpclient,"
my only fear is, that the physical strength
OF the reporters will give out under the
wearisomc labor imposed upon them OF
copying orders destined to an ignoble and
early grave. Seriously, however, there
are several grave objections to the multi.
plcation of these orders. Their consid-
Grafton cannot but tend to lengthen tho
session, and in this view the members
who introduce them would do the State
good service by adopting some other
mode of conveying information to their
constituents Of continuing life. have a
very strong conviction that the people
want short session more than alteration
OF the laws, and hope to be allowed con-
tentment for a few years under the laws
embodied in the new revision. Of course
there may be necessity for some chang
es in the laws or legislation in few cas-
es required to correct manifest errors, but
it requires 10 great bravery to hazard the
assertion that no great Inconvenience
would be suffered by the people If the
Legislature should rise without making a
single change in the laws except TO cor
rect manifest errors. There is another
subject Of still graver Importance ofwhich
we have word to say. When the Leg
islature came together, there was settled
conviction in the public mind that the
public necessities did not demand a
heightened session. This conviction was
the result of the well understood fact that
with the exception of the liquor question,
there was no business Of great impor-
lance, and which would require prolong-
cd consideration, to be brought forward.
The state Of the finances of the State was
admonishing short session and there
were other reasons too obvious to require
mention, for speedy adjournment OF the
Legislature. Nothing has occurred to
change the condition of public affairs,
under which the Legislature came to-
gether, yet fear that the just expccta-
tons of the people will be disappointed
il their servants arc not reminded now
and then Of the Importance OF making
their session short one. | notice that
our ncighbor Of the Advertiscrhas touch
ed up the Legislature on this point and
as it is in conformity with the wishes OF
the people, and know perfectly attaina-
bic, Iagree with him in the self evident
propriety of short and working session
of the Legislature.
A very considerable portion Of the time
this week has been worse than wasted in
discussing petition made by citizen Of
Franklin county making some serious
charges Of official corruption against the
County Attorney. The petition desired
that the House should originate measures
for the impeachment Of the County At
torney, but it was very properly contend
ed thst the Courts were open to the pc
toner and he should 90 to them for re
dress il wrong had been committed. The
House after two days discussion referred
the petition to the Judiciary, and there
upon the Age to whom the smallest mat
ter is a godsend, il it will Only diverts at
tention from attempted dcveltrics II