The Portland daily press., 1865-02-25
Glinpses Of the Capitol.
AUGUSTA, Feb. "a, 1885,


ton of the "third rail' definitely settled. 1t
has been mixed up with the legislation of this
session very materially. Gen. Virgin was
right when he said, in his able speech yester-
day, that it was the most important question
of the session, save that of the constitutional
amendment.
1t was evident Yesterday, when the msjori-
ty report was refused acceptance by vote OF
II to 10, that the Senate We're prepared to put
this extraordinary legislation through, as the
House had done. The opponents of the
measure were jealous and faithful,-but the
fiat was written and could not be changed.
Gen. Virgin made an effort to get incorporat-
ed into the Bill the propelling power ayowed,
which has been SO extensively used-and that
is, the aid to be received from Massachusetts,,
as bonus for breaking down this protective
barrier to the interests of the State. His
amendment was, that the provisions of the
Bill shall not take effect till Massachusetts,
has satisfactorily settled the claims which this
State has against her. This was refused, IL
to IL.
4AAs OA~oO 0AoO tiiCu W SOb q pAOFioAOh oA~o
the third rail should not be laid down without
express legislative leave. But all this was of
no account. The resistless sweep of the
North American Railroad influence, under its
chief engineer, could not be resisted. The
spirit OF last winter had passed over to this.
Nothing must get in the way of that train.
The interests of the western part of the State,
which had been contended for and secured
through much tribulation, and admitted for
years, were stricken at with much GOODNESS,
and the solid reasons behind which they had
been sheltered, were laughed at as unsubstan-
tal as the wind. This is all very fine to some,
and wreathes their faces with smiles. 1t has
been said that the mill grinds slow. Let US
possess our souls in patience. ~
1t is but just to say that this battle has been
well fought by the enemies of this radical
change in the policy of the State. 1t broke
ground in the House, and there our Repre-
sentatives were faithful. Much credit is due
Messrs. Larrabee, Webb, Cram and Miller for
their persistent resistance of the MEASURE
Mr.. Miller, when the debate ensued, went In
to it with zeal and skill. As the youngest
member, it is right to say, as we draw so rap
idly to close, that he has been sedulously at
his post, and carefully watching the proceed
ings and taking part in the debates. Mr..
Webb is an acknowledged leader in the House,
and has won his position by hard service of
two years. Mr.. Larrabee holds his rank as
one of the most reliable members of the
House. Ever watchful, he is rarely out Of
his seat, and keeps the run of the course OF
legislation as closely as any man there. Mr..
Cram, as a member of the Railroad Commit
tee that reported adversely to the measure
was equally on the alert, and by his watchful
ness did much to procure the report which
came from that committee. as
Mr.. Woodman, also of your city, has thrown
his whole soul into the legislation of the SEES
| sion, and has been faithful to his post through
all weathers. He felt as though it devolved up
on him in that branch to look after this bold
innovation. He has acquitted himself WE'LL
Our other Senators, Messrs. Pierce, Holbrook
and Richardson, have been true men in theil
positions. The delegation throughout, whom
have named, it has seemed TO me as have
watched the phases of this measure, have walk
ed up to their duty strait forward in this mat
ter-and am happy to accord them the yer
dict of well done. The fortune Of war was
against them. Portland and the western Sec
tion have had a staggering blow aimed at them
lift doesn't take effect there will be no vote O
thanks due its false friends who have basked
In its favor till they thought they saw more
brilliant sun dawning in the east The orr
entail sun is oftener brighter than the accident
al-but its rays are not SO warming or SO en-
during.
The alteration of the Constitution in order
to punish the skedaddlers from the draft, met
with but poor succers in the Senate. 1t had
tolerable luck till Judge Tenney put his huge
legal paw upon the head of the child. There
was poor chance for it afterwards. Apoplexy
ensued speedily.
The attempt to overthrow the Board Of
Agriculture, was defeated in the House, by ar
overwhelming vote. The committee reported
in favor of abolishing it. After smart de-
bate, the vote was taken by yeas and nays
and by vote OF four to one the report was
rejected. Asagss5
The House was in friendly mood last even.
ing. 1t had an evening session, in order to
push the business along. 1t voted to raise the
salary of the Librarian from 5000 to $1,000. A
bill was passed to allow the Inspectors of the
State Prison, in conjunction with the Cover
nor and Council, to vary the salaries of the
subordinate officers of the prison as circum
stances may require.
The vote rejecting a bill aiding the erection
of a new wing to the Insane Hospital, by al
appropriation of $4,000, was reconsidered
and the bill passed to be engrossed without
opposition.
Itremains to be seen how the Senate will
receive these emotions of liberality and rever
sal ofaction. 'saa
The Senate referred to the next Legislature
the bill for a Department OF Education. Mr.
Richardson, Senator from Cumberland, con
tended that the bill ought to pass-but the
vote was too strong for him. II however, hal
yet to come to the House, and this vote is no
| quite indicative of its fate. The features o
the bill, which are of much importance, gave
| you in a former letter.
The day of adjournment is still an oper
question. Probably it will be among the early
days OF next week. PELHAM.