The Portland daily press., 1867-06-13
Letter from the state Capi,al.


iH,salI ta AUGUSTA, June II, 1867 I
To the Editor of the Press:
The Law Court for the Middle District
which commenced its session in this city on
the 18th ult., adjourned last Saturday after
busy term of eleven days. ....
The chief justise and four associate justices
were in attendance tor the purpose of hearing
arguments. On Thursday last, at noon, the an
nual consultation of the 1ull bench began, and
continued unit. Saturday afternoon, when the
Chief Justice announced about fifty decisions.
No decision was rendered III the case of the
Bowdo oinham robbers, but it is prevailing
opinion, believed to have been reflected from
the court, that a new trial will not be granted.
There were in all 172 actions on the docket, W
new entries having been made the present
term. Those not decided were continued
either for argument or advisement.
The Union Republican Convention for the
nomination of our county officers occurs ON
the 26th of the present month. Some canvass
ing for all the offices is progressing in qUi.t
manner, but the Senatorial contest will, per-
haps, be the most animated Hon. j. I. Wood
ward, of Sidney, will doubtless be renomnat-
ed for the northern part OF the county with
but slight opposition. In the western part the
names of A. p. Morrill,, OF Readfeld, T. Z.
Webb, of Winthrop, and Capt. Smell of Mon
mouth, are prominently mentioned. The Hon.
A.P. Morrill, is well known; the others are
both able and scholarly gentlemen. 1t is said
that Mr.. Morrill, has not allowed his name to
be used, but it is believed, that from sense CT
duty he will not decline, should the convention
give him the nomination. Hon. John l.. Ste
vens OF Augusta, and hon. Jonn Berry OF Gar
diner, Will DE the candidates lor the southern
section. Both are gentlemen OF large leg1sla-
tive experience, and either would be a credit to
,KenneDec in the Senatorial counsels. 1t is
thought that some local considerations will
give the nomination to Mr.. Berry.
s. c. Harley, Esq, of Hanowell, a well-read
and worthy young lawyer, will be candidate
tor county attorney; but the present incum-
bent, Lorenzo Clay, Esq, OF Gardiner, is en-
titled to denomination, not only in obedience
to the usage of the county, but as tribute to
his efficiency as an officer in the two wears
past. 81 rs. ..- ...... ....r.
A new candidate will probably be nominat-
ed for Register of Deeds, and there seems to
be disposition to reward some deserving SOL
dier. The claims of Major Small, of Water
vile, and Capt. Clark, OF Wayne, are strongly
advocated
/ Affairs about the Capitol are very quiet
The returns from the special election are COM
ing in slowly and indicate very light vote
The returns of the municipal authorities,
made by request Of the commissioners ap-
pointed under the Resolves OF 1867 relative to
the assumption by the State of the municipal
war debts, have been coming in at the rate OF
20 day, in rather imperfect shape Itmay at
first seem superhuous to continue this labor,
now that such an assumption has been declar-
ed unconstitutional by our court. But 1t
should be borne in mind that there is possi-
bility of an amendment to our constitution,
that substantially the same facts would be re-
quired in the event Of the assumption by the
National Government, and that the task of
procuring them will become more difficult as
the years roll on. The actors in all those
scenes will soon be passing from the stage;
those who We're cognizant of the facts as they
were transpiring will not be found, and what is
now difficult will soon become impossible
Even as matter of historical interest the
work should not pe abandoned.
The State Pension department., under the
able and judcious management of the chair
man of the Executive Committee, Major E. W.
Stetson, is doing its benefcent work agreeably
to the interest of the law. The disbursements
last year for this purpose amounted to $4,000.
This year the appropriation was $120 900, but
it is believed that the expenditures will not
exceed $4,000. 1t will be remembered that
the Interpretation given to tue law last year
was stigmatized by certain editors as pauper-
izing. But if the law had been administered
according to the views of those gentlemen, it
would have drawn from the State Treasury
$5OO,O0O and perhaps 81, ,OO0,O 900. 1t was design
ed especially to relieve those whose claims tor
United States pensions could notb recognized
for want of sufficient proof, and those for whom
the United States pension should prove insufi-
cient. Mr.. Stetson is giving his whole at.en-
ton to the subject, and has so systematzed his
department that any attempts at fraud and inn
position on the part of applicants can be readi-
ly detected and checked. From 25 to 80 appli-
cations have been coming in daily
The Acts and Resolves Of 1867 are now about
ready for distribution, with them will DC sent
small manual containing all the school laws
of our State, with all the important oeciSions
| IN relation thereto anu "iA ASS'
conveniently arranged and eomphed oy tine
| cnoro+,u,, IS state for the use of school dis
| triets.
p;shop Neely preached an able andimpressive
.on at st. Marks Church last Sabbath, and
SJ,ninistered confirmation to about twenty-five
persons.
There is a general satisfaction at the result
| of the new enforcement of the liquor law. Our
Jail is comparatively empty and our streets are
orderly. A few complaints only are heard,
arising from appetite, pecuniary interest or po-
| litical timidity. ..C F.. .1 .... ..... FL.
! The natural beauty of our city was never
| more marked than in these rare and beautiful
days OF June Every clod seems climbing to
a soul in grass and flowers" and every leaf and
blade is becoming "a happy creatures palace"
| 20 ..a.-H e4 DAMON.
! 1t has been asce1tained by statistical re-
search that the aggregate production OF goid
in the world for eighteen years past is SSo4i'-
100000. The Pacific States and territories
yielded nearly one third of the grand .o'Ai,
and Australia and New Zealand produceu
nearly oue-fourth of the whole amount The
average annual production for the same perl
| -, :: o, OK coo ooQ which shows an actual addl-