The Portland daily press., 1864-01-07
Lights and Shadows at the Capital.

Lights and shadows at the Capital.
AUGUSTA, Jan. 6, 1854.
To-day the august General Court common
ces its annual session, and as q consequence
this city is crowded with officials; officials in
fact and officials elect, officials going in and
officials going out, officials in shoulder straps
and officials in plain attire, while strangers,
lobbyists, agents, contractors, shoddy men id
genus omnes swarm in the snowy streets,
crowd the hotels, jostle the pedestrian upon
the walks and contribute in various ways to
give to the occasion the Importance which an
Gent usage has attached to it.
The train from your city yesterday was won
derfully deliberate in working Its way up to
the 'heart OF the State" being only four hours
behind time. 1t left Portland an hour and a
half late in consequence Of the non-arrival of
the Boston train, and the time thus lost in the
start was constantly added to as the wheels
crunched the falling snow beneath their pom
derous weight. or slipped upon the rails made
greasy by the damp deposites precipitated
from the upper regions. However, all things
have an end-except circle and an Office
seekers aspirations-and so did the trip to
the capital
The Representatives and Senators elect de-
layed the organization of their respective eau
cuses until the western members arrived, when
everything was put through as smoothly as
though the moist snow had fabricated their
ways as well as those of the railroad. The
mil oil ha 10
day, and the "ship of State" will be put off
before the wind in good sailing trim. / have
heard of no movement among the opposition;
indeed, it is doubtful il the copperhead wing
will find itself possessed Of sufficient vitality
to make vigorous show Of opposition.
Tomorrow Gov. CoNY will be inaugurated
and will read his message from the Speakers
chair. learn that it will be about one-third
longer than was Gov. Coburn's last year, for
which fact the newspaper compositors will not
thank the new and decidedly popular chief
magistrate. This evening the nominations for
state officers will be ade,-Land Agent, At
torney General, Secretary of State and Adju-
tant General,-but as you will be informed by
telegraph of the result, will not waste paper
or display my own ignorance by any specula-
tons in relation to a matter yet future. /
have no doubt Of the result myself, but as
'The best laid schemes o'mice an men
Gang an agley,"
| am not disposed to reveal my own convic-
tons when facts will so soon take the place of
all theories upon the subject. Not only the
Shareholders. but the Executive Councillors
will be nominated in caucus tonight
The streets here are pretty well showed up,
but as the snow lays very evenly upon the,
ground the prospects of excellent travelling
were never better. Rare sport is witnessed ON
State street when the ways are good. Augusta
abounds with species Of animals not found
in the forests, yet with eyes more beautiful
than those of the gazele, and with a symme-
try of proportion, grace of motion and a
loftiness of step that would cast in the shade
those of the feetest, the nimblest and the
most graceful of the inhabitants of the will
derness. With such animals in abundance in
a city of snowy streets and brave soldier-boys,
II would not be surprising il 'sleighing the
dears' proved to be among the most attrac-
tive and exciting of our capital winter sports.
One is fayorably impressed with the per-
sonnet Of the legislature elect. The members
are fine looking set of men. In the Senate
is the noble form of the late Chief Justice
Tenney, hearty and spirited, bringing large
and whole heart TO his country's service
In the House looms up the giant proportions
of the two Bath members One of them Geo
F. Patten, Esq, is one of the largest ship
owners in the State, has attained TO good
old-but vigorous-age, and nothing but the
demands Of his country would prompt him to
leave the comforts of his own fireside for the
cxcitements Of legislative life. Mr.. Patten
was once the Wing candidate for Governor.
Farwell Of Rockland, Peters of Bangor, Will
liams of Augusta, Clay of Gardiner and Bar
ker of Stetson, viii be among the strong men
of the House. Your city is well represented.
man Of culture, who win not fail to make his
mark, while Messrs. Woodman and Larrabee
win prove most valuable men in the commit
tee rooms. | may take early occasion to refer
to other gentlemen, particularly in the Senate,
in whichbody Cumberland is ably represented.
The mail Is about to close and so must this,
but not without adding that the Kennebec
Journal is to be issued daily during the ses-
sion, so that loyal men will not be obliged to
imbibe tri-weekly draughts OF treason through
The columns Of the Age.
SPURwINK.