Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1859-03-11
Augusta Correspondence.
AUGUSTA, March 8, 1888


Mr.. EDITOR As you say in your last pa
per, it does look as if the Legislature would
''drag its slow length long" 1t has now
been in session more than sixty days; and it
is manifest to all who are familiar with the
Journal of its proceedings, that the amount
of really valuable Legislation done thus far is
small. And still an unusual amount Of
hard work has been done by the members of
this legislature, particularly in committees.
There has been a great deal Of local business
to be attended to. Especially has the divis-
ion Of Counties and Towns been an occa-
sion of great labor and perplexity, in the way
of orders Of notice protracted and complica-
ted hearings, the reports of the committees
being often followed by almost interminable
discussions in the two branches, one or both.
All this Of course consumes time and money,
and makes no great show of business done
by the Legislature. Most matter of this
kind have now been disposed of however and
the time that remains of the session will
probably be devoted to the despatch Of
business of more general interest and impor-
lance.
The appropriations to the literary institu-
tions of Readfeld and Westbrook have oeca-
stoned good deal of controversy, but have
both passed the Resolve in favor Of the Yves
leyan Seminary at Read6eld however, by a
majority of only single vote. These insti-
tutions have both done great work for the
Education of the State; and they are well de-
serving of the aid they receive. The most
perncous and fatal policy that the State
could adopt, would be that of reversing the
policy of our fathers and of the constitution
with regard to the higher institutions of
learning; and adopting the doctrines put
forth by Mr.. Smart, that these institutions
ought to be ssb-support,ng, and the State do
nothing for them at all. This blow would
strike down at once the higher institutions
and the common sch ools, for as we see in
Massachusetts,, they flourish together. and
tend towards perfection together, if at all
Our institutions are presumed to rest on the
intelligence and virtue Of the people; and the
greater their intelligence, the safer are our
institutions.
Last evening there was lecture at Win
throp Hall by apr. Lord formerly French
Canadian Roman Catholic Brother, of the
Order of the Jesults. admission ten cents
On Sunday evening he spoke to large and
dissatisfied audience in the Baptist church.
The performance was of a low, triting and
superficial character. that was felt to be
altogether unworthy of the evening and the
place. We do greatly wonder that such
men should find such easy access to the
class of books in exposition and denunciation
of Romansm. should be so widely read in
christian families, being a. they are, of the
same character, and As corrupt and corrupt
ing as Eugene Sues celebrated mysteries of
Paris. But the DR.. feels that he has
great work to do, that the mantle Of Luther
has fallen upon him, because. forsooth, h,
dreams Of Luther erery Sunday night, cir
eumstance of about the sam Importance as
that of the old lldy's hen that laid an egg
every day and tx eggs sundays
We have had two or three d ,ys of exceed
ingly pleasant, spring-llke weather, but to-
day We are saying, it will storm Soon
There is good deal of snow ON the ground
here and throughout the country above here,
and il it should be carried off suddenly or
with rain, the river may be expected to show
some signs Of Its might.
Oris