Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1859-02-18
70, the o,6ri Democrat.
lettings From the Capitol.

Many Of tho members were absent on
Monday. - tia, but little was done except
the presentation and reference OF petitions.
Among these were several praying Tor aid
TO we.,hrook Seminary, and Others in favor
ur the Portland Society Of Natural History.
On Tuesday the con,a,,i election case,
between MI. VI G. Shaw. the sitting mem.
Ter. and George L. Howard. the contestant,
came up m 'he House, by assignment. Mr.
Lehroke. Of FoKcroit, made an able and 81.
oqucni speech in favor Of the latter. The
question occupied Tuesday and portion Of
wednesday, when the time appointed for
the consideration Of the subject Of biennial
sessions having arrived, Mr. Burbank ol
Lewiston, spoke At length IN favor Of the
measure. On Thursday the contested seat
came up again. Me'srs. Lebroke, Smart,
Brown. Gilbert. Wells, AID Damn. taking
part in the discussion, alter which the
question was taken, and resulted in favor OF
the sitting member, % against 81.
On Saturday, tie resolve offered by Mr.,
Porter OF Lowell. insiruetins our Represent.
a,,v,- and Senators in Congress, to u.s. their
influence in favor Of tho honorable acqui,i.
ton u Cuba, was taken from the table Oh
motion OF Mr.. Blaine, who offered al
amendment, condemning in the strongest
terms, the proposition Of Mr.. Slitell and
Others. to place thirty millions Of dollars in
the hands OF the President. for IT, purchase.
Mr.. MeCrlllis offered another amendment,
TO the elect. tina, in case the thirty millions
shall be appropriated for the purchase OF
Cuba, an additional thirty millions shall be
appropriated for the purchase Of the British
Provinces. An animated discussion follow
cd. between Mr.. Smart on one side, and
M,s.rs. Blaine. McCrills. and Dow on the
other. Mr.. Blaine Is a clear and logical
debater. and for kconness OF perception and
ready repariec. probably has not bis supe-
rioF in the House. Mr.. Dow made an elo.
quen, speech against cha,tel slavery. and
the acquisition Of Cuba for purposes now
controlling the action Of the South. Mr..
Smart sustained himself we'll. considering
the subject, and his present position in the
democratic party. But As an impromptu
speaker, there is no man in the House that
equals Mr.. McCrillis, Of Bangor. lle has
an eloquent dow Of Language, and his ideas.
which are always to the point, are clearly
and logically expressed. The subject was
finally tabled
The hotels in this city have been crowded
for the pas, week. The people Of saco ana
Biddeiord have been here. making an effort
to have the courts in York County, held a
portion Of the time at BiddefOrd.
Some Of the inhabitants OF Stockton have
had hearing, on petition to set OF por-
ton Of their town, and annex the same TO
Prospect. Petitioners had leave to with
draw.
The citizens Of Lewiston. Auburn. and
Danville, had a hearing before the same
committee, on Friday, ON petition Of the
people in the village in Danville, to he Sc,
of to Auburn. The ease was argued by c.
W. Walton for the petitioners, and by Rob
crt Martin for the remonstrants. The COM
mittec reported leave to bring in bill.
The committee on State printing and
binding, have contracted with Mes'rs. Ste
vens 4 Sayward to do the former, and Hart
ford Smith to do the latter. The work is
TO DO done at n reduction from former
prices.
Several bills Of a private nature have
passed to DO enacted.