The Portland daily press., 1865-02-02
Glimuses Of the Capitol.
AUGUSTA, Feb. l, 1856;

The proof of the sincerity of the members
Of the Legislature, in resolving to have a
short session, is evidenced by their works.
Resolves are easily made, but when followed
by acts corresponding. the doubt of the result
ceases. On the lstday of February, 1884, the
Legislature had passed to be enacted seuen
acts and resolves; on the same day of the ses-
sion, 1855, they have passed ffty-fce acts and
resolves-and manifested determination to
push on with the same energy. AS much
care is evinced, evidently, this year as last
Indeed, think have observed, as general
thing, more of that estimable quality. There
very likely win not be any larger amount of
important business consummated this year
than last-and this wonderful advance in the
work of the Legislature this year over the
last. is certainly an augury, with abundant
evidence to sustain it, that the Legislature is
determined to fulfil the promises Of reasona-
bly, short session, made at the commence
ment. ~ mY'l A4i Atta NpN AshAel
In the four weeks that have elapsed of the
session, have had pretty good opportunity
to see the working capabilities OF the mem
bers. confess to a doubt. at first, as re-
viewed them in their seats, mostly new men,
whether they would prove more than ordina-
ry working men in this new vocation. The
four weeks observation has happily corrected
that first impression. The "sober second
thought" if may SO termit, has convinced
me that very seldom in my experience have /
found better Legislature for business than
is this. Attention to business-the first great
Qualifications very apparent. Capacity to
perform the work which they were sent to do,
up to this hour has also been very apparent
What they may do hereafter to unsettle this
good opinion, renainst to be seen. But now,
say with great satisfaction, that the evidence
is largely in their favor, as capable, working
men. Hereafter may take pleasure in al
luding more particularly to the leading men
in each branch. At present l must turn to
other matters. g y1s s74Bw moo IS.
The Bill to make valid the doings Of cities
and towns In making provision for the pay
ment of bounties to volunteers, &c, and for
other purposes, met with good many hard
rubs, on bsing called up in the House, after
being printed. Members pounced upon It
without mercy. No less than seven amend
nents were moved in brief space. These
littlesmissives came SO thick that the bill went
to the table again, and the amendments were
ordered to be printed. Z q gsh HAD
The proposition to repay the moneys raised
for bounties in four years, 1t was proposed to
increase to ten years; another was to strike
out the whole section containing this provis-
ion; and yet another was, that the raising Of
all Communication money should be legalized.-
When the bill is through with, its own father
will hardly know it. o o. 81 v5l3Ildl
! The Bill to increase the poll tax from two
to three dollars, was up yesterday forenoon,
and occupied couple of hours. The Senate
amendment. to make the poll tax equal to one
sixth of5the whole tax, was knocked out OF
| the bill, with none to do it honor. The yeas
and nays were taken, and what is very unusual
when the roll Is called, not a vote was thrown
in its favor. The House then debated very
earnestly, on the question as between two
and three dollars. Several attempts were
made to adjourn as the dinner hour was at
hand. But they received no favor. The ma
jority shew their usual disposition to complete
what they had begun, if it were possible. So
at one o'clock the question was called on sus-
tanning the bill increasing the tax to three dol
lars. The yeas and nays were ealled--and the
House evipced its mind on the matter, by the
decided vote of more than two to one in favor
of three dollars as the poll tax. l- t-a. @oos =
A question is now in the committee room,
before the committee on the division of towns
| that, if o bill be granted, viii produce lively
time in the legislature. It's, to set off a strip
of land from Thomaston to Rockland. 1t is
not of much extent, but, as it contains lime
quarries worth as is said about 500, 900, it will
be resisted by Thomaston with all its power.
Indeed, it has produced very lively time al
ready. The committee room was crowded
yesterday afternoon, with Thomaston and
Rockland people, who have come here to fight
over their former quarrels, upon this contest
ed question. The argument in favor of Rock
| land is, that the business of the people who
live on this gore is very largely with that city.
Their post Office, school and church privileges
being all there as well as their business and in
clinations. The session Of the Committee was
continued into the evening. Many witnesses
we're examined, and the most intense interest
manifested by the parties, pro and con-; The
arguments for Thomaston,s have not heard.
No doubt they are numerous. Able counsel
onnaar nm both sides and averv inch of oround