The Portland daily press., 1865-01-28
Glimpses Of the Oapitol.

~AOoCo& ~ onus AN>o0s
The business of the Legislature is being
pushed along with commendable speed Its
no longer doubted that the session will be
made shorter than usual. Probably the month
of February will see the end of it.
5 The question of the contested seat of Mr..
Jordan, of Berwick, is assuming more formid-
able proportions than was dreamed of at first.
The Committee on elections reported upon
his rejection from it, and in favor of the cleo
ton of Mr.. Lord, by unanimous vote, save
one. Aminority report was presented by this
dissenter. Both reports are printed. The
case is in a nutshell. 1t turns upon the mean
ing of the constitution in regardto resideuce
in the State. Jordan was born in the State
and resided here till some time after he was
| twenty-one. He then removed to New Hamp-
shire, and was gone about thirty years. Last
summer he crossed the line again. and the cop
! perheads made him their candidate In Sep
TENDER ana elected him. The constitution
provides that no person shall be eligible as a
State for one year prior to his election. The
| majority report says that year must be i'm
mediately prior. The. minority report CON
tends that it may be any year, no matter how
far removed. - e egs sat e iil sa .qiaos
When the report came up yesterday, Mr..
Crosby of Dexter, opened in gallant style in
favor of the sitting member, and made a long
| argument of facts and "reminiscences touching
the formation of the Constitution, and especi-
ally as to this article, intending to show that
the trainers meant no such thing as resi-
dence Immediately prior, when they made up
that venerable article.
Mr.. Garnsey of Bangor, the Chairman of the
committee, not to be outdone in zeal, defended
his report with spirit and ability. He had not
concluded, when an adjournment was order
ed. From the signs, infer that others on the
Republican side are intending to oppose the
majority report. Mr.. Jordan, whois a lawyer,
looks as though he was not going to give it up
quietly. The signs are portentous of deter
mined debate on the matter. One would sup
pose that all the views on the Representative
question, would have been worked out in ac-
tual cases, in over forty years. But here is
one, that fails Of precedent. predict the
sitting member will have an opportunity
afforded him to ruminate on the banks of the
Saco, in few days. A. man cannot isolate
himself from the affairs and burdens of the
State, for thirty years, and then sweep into
I the Legislature, after few months residence
and he ought not to be allowed to.
The interests of the prospective Agricultur-
al College filled mp the afternoon and evening.
The Committee on Agriculture proposed
hearing on the several schemes intended to,
absorb the donation, in the Hall of the House.
The gathering was very respectable as to
numbers and talent The Board of Aricul-
ture strenuonsly oppose connection of the
College with any institution. Mr.. Goodale,
its Secretary, enforced its views.
President Champlin, of Watervile College,,
madea clear and able speech, in favor of d.
viding the fund among the three Colleges
Bowdoin, Waterville and Bates-letting each
do its proportion in carrying out the will of
Congress as expressed in the grant.
In the evening Professor Bracket of Bow
dom College, President Woods and Hon. j.
w. Bradbury, spoke in favor of connecting
the College with that of that Bowdoin DR..
Holmes, Speaker Dillingham; and others, went
for independece. A further hearing is to be
had next week, when Commiltte of Bow
dom will appear in behalf of the scheme of
that College The matter is exciting good
deal of interest among the farmers and schol-
ars, There is a duty to perform towards the
farmers and mechanics of this State, and it is
an important fact to ascertain which plan will
render them the most effective service.
trust correct solution will be reached
There should be no mistake now, when there
is nest egg provided by Government, which
rightly set can be made to produce so many
chickens.
The salary question is quiet for day or
two. The signs are that 1t will be revived
with spirit before long. Other matters of
minor interest, are passing along without
ripping the surface of the Legislative waters.
4 PELHAM