The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1863-02-07
Letter from the state capital.
AUGUSTA, Feb. 5, 1868.

AUGUSTA reD. %, icoo.
To the Editors of the Daily Press:
A few days ago shrewd, sharp Connecti-
cut Yankee made his appearance at the State
House. with rubber blanket, such as the SOL
diers have, and some brass buttons with hook
attached, which he ostentatiously termed "Put-
MANS Improved Eyelet Hooks" His blanket
was all prepared and he narrated the advant-
ages of this wonderful invention with great ell
oquence. He was simply calling the attention
of members of the Legislature to the simple
yet valuable" invention. Having failed to
secure contract for his wonderful buttons
with the Governor and Council, who thought
they had no authority to purchase even ifthey
thought it desirable, his next battery, fully
charged with buttons, was opened upon the
legislative committee on the Militia and Mill
tary affairs. Here he was more successful, and
last Saturday morning the Chairman of the
Committee reported a resolve in the Senate,
authorizing the Governor and Council to pur-
chase fifty thousand of these beautiful buttons
at the extremely modest price of yfre cents
apiece, or fifty dollars per thousand. This
quietly passed the Senate and came to the
House the same day, where 1t passed hardly
noticed, under suspension of the rules.
The "Button man" was jubilant and made
some rather indiscreet remarks, which coming
to the ears of some of the members caused
them to smell remarkably large "mice," and
Monday morning Mr.. Hammond of Paris
moved a reconsideration Of the vote passing
the aforesaid resolve, making some remarks
not over complimentary to the aforesaid "but-
ton" Mr.. Hayden flew to the rescue, and on
his motion the motion to reconsider was laid
on the table, and assigned for the next day.
Meanwhile the Button man" was taken all
aback. He would rather give fifty dollars
than to be detained here day longer, and as
soon as the Houre adjourned an individual
about his size was seen frantically rushing
about among the members with a rubber
blanket in one hand and the other full of Put
MANS Improved Eylet Hooks. He could con-
vince them in five minutes that his button was
indispensable to the soldier, and it was the
bounden duty of the State to purchase several
bushels thereof But his efforts were vain,
ana on the 1ollowlng DAY the vote was recon-
sidered and the resolve indefinitely postponed
by unanimous vote. The Button man has
gone his way sadder, if not wiser man, hav-
ing learned the lesson that doubtful things
are very uncertain" and that it is never "safe
to crow till one is well out of the woods"
Petitions are being presented from various
parts Of the State for change in the standard
weight of potatoes from 80 to "a pounds. 1t is
contended that the present standard of 60 lbs.
will not "hold out" in any market, and in
consequence, both farmers and dealers are
subjects to serious Inconvenience IL not actual
loss.
Thomas H. Emery, NJ. D., Of Buxton, has
been appointed Assistant physician at the
Maine Insane Hospital, appointment to date
from Dec. Is, 1862.
The levee at Meomian Hall last evening,
by the Ladies OF the Universalist Society. was
well attended. The receipts amounted to
about $3.50. A large attendance is anticipat-
ed this evening
JONATHAN.