The Portland daily press., 1863-01-08
Sketches from the Capital.

AUGUSTA, Jan. Z, 1868.
! To-day is the opening of the annual jubilee
for this head-of-the-tde city on the Kennebec
The great and august General Court COM
mences its constitutional session to-day, when
more formalities win be gone through with
than Rome would witness on the crowning of a
cardinal with his official cap. The several of
ficers nominated last evening, and whose
names yon have had by telegraph, will be
elected. and the ship of State will be put in
sailing trim for another years cruise.
The speakcr-NELsoN DINGLEY, JR., is the
gentlemanly editor and publisher of the Lew
iston Daily Journal. His unanimous nomina-
ton is a compliment to the craft, and to the
editorial fraternity, which they should duly
appreciate. He will make a prompt, faithful
and industrious officer, not so well prepared in
voice and vigor as his predecessor-Mr.
Blaine-to Ali the chair, but equally well pre-
pared in acquaintance with parliamentary
usage, and familiarity with the rules and Or
ders of the House.
The Clerk, CHARLES A. MILLER, is one of
the most accomplished gentlemen for that po-
sition that ever held the Office. He has al
ready filled the place the usual number of
years, but the House seems unwilling to de-
prive itself of so prompt a scribe and so excel
lent reader, merely to carry out ordinary
usage. His chief competitor, VIM. P. Drew,
has been the efficient private Secretary to
Gov. Washburn since the commencement of
the present war, and against any less satislac-
tory man than Mr. Miller, he would probably
have gone handsomely over the course. Mr..
Parcher, the old Messenger, struggled hard to
retain his lucrative position, but after several
ballotings in caucus he had to give way to
new man.
The President of the Senate, Mr. FARwELL,
is an old stager-one of the strong, rough
hewn, but efficient men of the State, who
shows little respect for the rules of the toilet
but who will make his mark by dint of down.
right good sense, indomtable energy and gen.
uine Yankee pluck. He will make an efficient
officer, whose decisions will be prompt, and
who win never hesitate to take the response
bility either to give his opinion or to make
decision when the times and circumstances re-
quire it.
Mr.. Lincoln OF the Bath Sentinel, the old
Secretary of the Senate, was candidate for
reelection, but received in caucus only eleven
votes, his successful competitor, Mr. Brett, re-
ceiying sixteen. 1t was an unooked-for event
to Mr.. L., who is most excellent officer, and
has ever performed his duties in an acceptable
manner. The successful gentleman has here
tofore filed the office of Assistant Secretary,
and it is, perhaps, but exact, though tardy jus
tice that has placed him in the position which
he now occupies. He is a one-armed man,
writes with his left hand, of c,urse-how could
he write with any other ?-and it is no mean
compliment to his qualifications that he should
handsomely come in ahead of so formidable a
competitor as the retiring officer.
Governor Coburn, who is stopping at the
Stanley House-te house of the city, wheth-
er regarded in the arrangement of its rooms,
the superiority of its tables, or the gentleman
y and polite qualities of its popular proprietor,
Col. Kicker, or his accomplished head clerk,
Mr. Shannon-will probably be inaugurated
tomorrow.
The city is not very full OF strangers, and
blue coats and shoulder-straps appear quite
struggling compared with one year ago, when
four full regiments and several batteries were
quartered within long rifle shot of the State
House.
Among the noticeable men present is Hon.
Bion Bradbury, late democratic candidate for
Governor, who leaves in few days for New
Orleans, where he proposes to spend few
months for the benefit of his health. Mr. b.
informs me that he does not expect TO be
counted in"-as Governor this year, but
thinks his chance good for another year.
Nous rerrons.
Senator Peters of Penobscot, took part last
evening in the Republican caucus, and though
he has not much faith in the proclamation, he
says that he shall not quarrel with it, for no
one is more willing than he that good should
come of it. This seems to be his present sta
tus. think he will harmonize fully with the
majority of senators in his legislative action.
Mr.. Blake of Bangor, elected on the Union
ticket, declined to attend the Republican eau
Gus because of his lack of sympathy with the
proclamation. He probably entertains feel
ings kindred to those of his fellow townsman,
than the latter, and is more scrupulous about
small matters and small differences of opinion.
The Democrats held a caucus at the STAN
ley House to make arrangements for the Or
ganization, but i suspect with closed doors,
for up to the present writing | have been una
BILE to find out who are the devoted men Sc
lected to bear off the equivocal honors of their
nominations and their support.
The distinguished representative who halls
from "Forest Home" and who is looked for
ward to as the special guardian of the rights
Of our southern brethren" has not made his
appearance yet. He will probably be on hand
in season to take charge of the special inter-
ests entrusted to his care.
Augusta, in outward appearance, has made
some improvement within the past year. A
beautiful block of five or six stores takes the
place of the one destroyed by fire last winter,
near the bridge, and makes commanding APP
pearance. XERXEs.
The POpe's Bull and the Advertiser.