The Portland daily press., 1865-02-20
Glimpses Of the Oap;tOl.

AUGUSTA, Feb. 1s, 1860.
The debate in the House yesterday, was
principally on DISTINGUISHING the skedadiers
from the draft. The proposition, as stated
few DAYS since was to change the Constitution
so thatthese fellows could DE reached,-ano
the question was on passing the resolves SUB
hitting the Constitutional amendment to the
neonle The debate was OF the most livery
discretionary up the motives OF these
rupaways, and the difficulty of fastening dis
Ioval reasons upon mau hereafter, who shall lap
near at the polls and claim the right to vote.-
Tae debate was not strictly political. Messls.
Stevens of Augusta, and Cram of Brunswick.
took ground against the passage of the re-
solves.
But the feeling against this mean way of
weakening the country, was SO intense, that
there was no holding in OF the members on the
matter. Mr. Weston, of Gorham, made a
strong speech in favor of the measure. 1t was
the speech on that side. two-thirds vote
was required to put the resolves through
and it was thought it could hardly be obtained.
Bat, when the names were called, and the re-
spouse of yes, rolled upso often, it was soon
seen that the people must pass upon the ques-
lion whether man who would not defend his
country by taking his chance to fight should
vote. Che resolves were passed-SS to "a.
The various petitions for increase Of salary
of public officers from all parts of the State,
were allowed to be Withdrawn yesterday. The
last tussle this session, on that subject, was
probably had on that day, on the salaries of
Judge and Register in Kennebec. After de-
bate, there was hardly bakers dozen voted
for it.
The afternoon session commenced yester-
day. The subject of the third rail between
Portland and Boston, was the order for the
occasion, and was on substituting the minority
report for the majority. The minority recon-
mend the repeal of the section prohibiting a
mixed gauge. Mr.. Williams, of Augusta, one
of the Committee, gave his reasons for signing
the report. Mr.. Miller of Portland, replied
and opposed the motion, advocating the adop-
ton Of the majority report.
Mr.. Crosby of Dexter, took the other ground
and Mr.. Tapley of Saco, followed in favor of
the majority. Mr. T. continued his remarks
up to the hour of adjournment-whi it was
attempted to stave off, in order probably to
close the debate at that time. But test vote,
shew "a in favor of adjourning to 4s against
SO the matter lies over till to-day.
The zeal of the eastern part of the State
especially Bangor and vicinity,-on this sub
ject, is patent to all eyes. Her leading men
are here, and undoubtedly are at work in the
matter. The interests of Portland, and the
western part of the State, are to be sacrificed
-as her shrewdest men believe, by this sub
servient policy. 1t is thought to be an object
worth laboring for. But while the able men
of the east think it worth their while to put
their shoulders to this work-the business men
OF the west, do not seem to think it necessary
to use q proper and legitimate influence to
prevent this disaster. I do not see any of
those familiar forms here, which are wont to
have their proper weight, when exercised in
behalf of the right. Why it is SO, 1 cannot
divine. Before this article is published, the
question may be voted on. If it be not lost,
to your city and vicinity, it will not be for
want Of outside influence from the CASTOR
from any extra help it ia now receiving from
Portland or other parts of the State.
PELHAM.