The Portland daily press., 1864-02-02
Lights and Shadows at the State Capital.

Lights and Shadows at the State Capital.
AUGUSTA, Feb. /, 1864.
NY attention has been called to an error in
one OF my former letters, where it was spoken
of as a thing unprecedented to find SO Few
lawyers in the Senate as are found in that body
at the present time, there being but two out
OF the thirty members now holding seats In
that branch of the Legislature. am remind
ed that the Senate of 1860 contained but
single lawyer, Hon. J. II. Drummond, then OF
Kennebec, and he was elected Attorney Cen
cral soon after the session commenced, so that
the upper branch of the General Court was
entirely free from gentlemen Of the green bag
Hon. DAVID ID. STEWART, Of st. Adams, is
one Of the Senators from Somerset. Mr. ;.
is a Lawyer by profession, and though not a
graduate Of any college, he is one oil the best
educated, clearest-headed and best-informed
men in the legislature, and one Of the keenest,
most high-nipded and successful lawyers in
the State. He read law with Mr. Hobbs OF
Bangor. He was born in Corinna, Penobscot
county, and is 40 years of age; stands erect,
five feet, ten inches high, weighs about lao
pounds, was formerly a Democrat, but was
driven by the pro-slayery tendencies Of that
party to ally himself with the Republicans.
He now stands on the Union platform, firm in
purpose for the right, incorporating in his
opposition to slavery and all that savors of the
whip and thumbscrew, and hopeful of the re-
suits to follow from the efforts being made to
put down rebellion and to uphold the coun-
try's honor. Mr. Stewart is in the Senate for
the second term, is Chairman of the Judiciary
Committee, and no bill is allowed to pass
through his hands until it is made so clear and
perspicuous that any man of ordinary inteli-
gence can understand its provisions without
the aid OF legal adviser. Mr.. Stewart was
member Of the House in 1862, and proved him
self there, as he has in the Senate, ready de-
batter, always gentlemanly, but an antagonist
Of great industry and strength. l doubt il
there is a man In either branch who deyotes
more hours OF close attention to the duties Of
the legislature. know nothing of Mr.. Stew
arts political aspirings, but have no doubt
y
usefulness.
Hon. SAMUEL L. SPRING of Portland, is
one Of the Senators from Cumberland. Mr.. S.
is merchant, q gentleman of fortune honestly
acquired, and as successful business man is
probably exceeded by few in the State. He
was born in Brownfeld, and is 81 years of age.
In height he is about five feet ten inches,
weighs about 100 pounds, stands erect, is ner-
vously active, allows no business to flag in his
hands, speaks but seldom on pending ques-
tions but always to the point, and as chairman
of the Committee on Banks and Banking he
is an invaluable member of the Senate. Mr..
Spring has spent about dozen years of his
life in Buenos Ayres where he laid the foun-
dation of his fortune, and now as a Portland
merchant he Is extensively engaged in the
South American trade. As President of Casco
Bank he is regarded as one of the best-in-
formed and most skiful financial officers in
the State. In politics he was Wing, subse-
quentlya Republican, aud now stands un-
dinchingly with the Union party of the State,
the sworn enemy OF rebellion and rebellion
sympathizers, open handed and liberal in the
support Of the government, and ready, at all
times, to aid all enterprises and efforts having
for their object the good of the State or the
interests Of humanity. Such man as Mr..
Spring 10 sure to have enemies,-as all men
will who are capable of drawing around them
devoted friends - for he is no mere creation
M mt " hint - ,f chs.
always has an opinion of his own and is never
backward in avowing it on all suitable occa-
sions. He is frank, straightforward and de-
cided, always meeting foe face to face, and
is never found meanly dealing his blows in the
dark, or stabbing his adversary in the back.
Prominent among the Kennebec Senators is
Hon. DENNIS L. MILLIKEN, of Waterville.
Mr.. N. was born in Scarboro', is 50 years of
age, stands about six feet high, weighs up
wards Of 100 pounds, is compactly built, his
head covered with thick growth of hair up
On which time has made itself busy in scat
tering it, bleaching powder. He is President
OF Waterville Bank and In business is man
ufacturer; he formerly resided in Waldo Coun-
ty, has been in both branches of the Legisla-
ture and three years in the Executive Council.
There are few men Of more practical common
sense than Mr.. NJ, and none of more incor-
fuptible honesty. or who more faithfully at
tend to the duties for which they are sent to
the legislature. He is chairman of the Rail-
road Committee, and in such matters has had
. great deal of practical as well as legislative
experience. In politics Mr.. Milliken is an old
Democrat, Of the Jeiiersonian, Jacksonian
school, but like thousands and tens of thou
sands of others he was obliged to 90 outside
of the so-called Democratic party TO find the
doctrines early taught him represented and
exempli1ed. Oflate he has been Identified
with the Republican party, and OF course now
stands in the ranks Of the great Union party
Of the State.
Hon. THOMAS WARREN Of Deer Isle, one
Of the Senators from Hancock, Is merchant,
is "A years ofage, was born In the town in
which he now resides, is five feet nine or ten
inches in height, weighs about 10 pounds, is
stoutly and compactly built, and is man OF
q great deal of energy, shrewdness and bust
ness tact. He was a member of the House in
1852, and am not aware that he has had any
other legislative experience until the present
winter. Mr.. Warren was not only a Demo-
crat, brought up SO from his youth, but he had
the boldness to hold out after many men of
less nerve or Of less strength of party attach
ment had fallen Off He tells me that he was
4
and "Cosef7' Lane in 1860. Mr.. Warren does