The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1865-01-12
Glimpses Of the Capitol.

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yesterday. You will have list by this mail.
1t will Indicate by what minds the varied and
vital interests are to be considered before they
undergo the more popular scrutiny.
The business done by the Legislature on
Monday was meagre. Some officers were
sworn in. The Treasurer submitted his annu-
al Report, most important document FOR
meriy, expenditures Of this department. were
reckoned by tens Of thousands now ny mill
inns. The aid rendered to soldiers families
aloue.in 1853. and paid the last year by the
Stain amounts to more than half million Of
dollars | That furnished last year, for the
same purpose, and to be paid this, will exceed
this amount This is to be obtained by taxes on
the people. 1t is but one of the many burdens
which the war has brought upon this people.
These burdens are being borne cheerfully. II
viii coAtinue to be so. 1t must not be judged
by this heroism of enduring, that it is not
burden. One great duty of this Legislature,
Is, to see that these burdens are not increased;
but rather alleviated, it be possible thing.
The Reports of the various Institutions in
printed form are coming in rapidly. The
Bank Commissioners, the Insane Hospital, the
Reform School, the State Prison, all have the
story of their doings for the past year, in neat
form, before the Legislature. One need no
longer resort TO the Boston papers, to learn
the situation of Maine Institutions. That
was one of the anomalies Of this fast age. The
reporter was long stride ahead Of propriety
and the press of Maine very properly felt
jealousy thereat.
The Report on the conGition of the Insane
Hospital, is more than usually interesting. Il
not only records the philanthropic work Of
the State, in behalf of its stricken children
but it also pays tribute of tears to the off,
GERS taken from them by death during the
year. The venerable Chaplain, JOHN b. Inc
RAHAll; the energetic and judicious Steward,
T. G. ALLAN-have fallen in the work. While
the corps of insane keeps its ranks full to over
lowing, from the busy mart, or domestic re-
cesses Of life.
This hospital has been opsn fourteen years,
and 2767 have passedits portals, with "mind
diseased" OF this number 2513 have, been
discharged; 1I4s recovered; 4S4 improved;
AGO unimproved; and 421 died. And still they
press in from the busy world to this quiet re.
treat. There were at the close Of the year.
254. The wards are full. There is no let up
in this struggle of life which leaves SO many
with shattered intellects. The cry is "still they
come" Blessings on the philanthropists of
the State, who opened the way through which
they could come and live. ,asuot a y1s,a
The Trustees say, give US more ROOM
Give us another wing to the building. Plans
have been submitted, expenses estimated; and
the patient, stricken souls who pant for relief,
await the expansion of this noble charity, as
the perishing mariner awaits the coming day.
Most faithful officers, generous appropriations,
lovely situation, the most sedulous care; but
falling of its most enlarged benevolence from
the ever-present want of room. The appeal
comes enforced by suffering forms writhing or
beseeching, with no tongue to plead, but with
wall ofdespair, in every apparent sense,
from which reason has been driven.
The Legislature has been in session week.
That is but seven days-but seven days are
quite long enough to set the members count
ing the cost of living, with gold at one hundred
and thirty per cent. premium, and they work,
ing for two dollars day, payable in paper
currency. So meeting was had, last even
ing as I learn, of some Of the members, to
devise ways and means--not how they should
raise their wages, for that is forbidden by law,
but what is the next best thing, and that Is,
how to shorten the session. The result l. do
not know, as yet. But the object is good, and
whatever motive may impel this retrenchment
Of. time, let us bid this honorable committee
f bfcaatioahr TO bGsiiness may be completed in
forty days as well as in seyenty-hve. If high
prices produce the long sought for "short SEES
sion era" they will have effected some good.
l see by the late English papers, that the
Prince of Wales cannot live on his present
State allowance. 1t is only 100000 per year,
payable in gold. Parliament intends to do
something more for this prudent young man.
II this be true, how is it to be expected that
an independent sovereign of the Maine Legis-
ature, can live at the rate Of seven hundred a
year paper CURRENCY The idea is preposter-
Gus, especially with board from $40 to $40 per
week. Let them contract their session to for
ty days, and they will double their pay, and
halve their expensesl Can any one devise a
better way to increase the pay of the mem
bers? Ifso let him present himself before the
committee just alluded to, and he will I've re-
ceived with all the honors. PELHAM.sa
L lss 4.