Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1868-05-08
Legislature of 1888.
FOURTH PAPER.

| In all the qualities or circumstances
which " ould he required to constitute the
legislative leader Mr.. Hale of Ellsworth
exeelled. He was not only the leader OF
.he house majority. but we can safely
1ward to him the name of legislative lead
er. There were other able men in either
branch. Mr.. Farley of the Senate. a
Democrat from Newcastle, who prides
himself on beng a farmer. though once u
lawyer. p'0fessed a familiarity with the
| tcchnicalitieS of law and politics, aud was
by no means without some ability as de-
batter, which a previous experience of sew.
eral years in the legislature and in Con-
gress, had given him. Mr.. Lindsay. who
was the Chairman of the judiciary commit
tee on the part of the senate, was young
man of great acuteness. Mr.. Ludden is
the first lawyer OF Androscoggin. Mr..
Ding.ry is too well known as a teacher. an
editor. a parliamentarian and q public
speaker to require any notice here
Among the most promising lawyers of the
Cumberland bar is Mr.. Reed of Portland.
who had seat in the house. Messrs. Por-
ter who viii some day be paced in the
governors chair, and Fessenden of the
Androscoggin bar, have before been no.
ticed. Among so able corps of legisla-
tives, any Of which might with honor lead
in deliberative body, Mr.. Hale was the
acknowledged leader. His position az
chairman of the judiciary committee would
Indicate the confidence placed in his abili-
ties. but this would not necessarily give
him precedence Of Mr.. Lindsay. His age
placed him next to the lowest of that com-
mittee. Neither would his disposition
urge him to step forward from his own
proper rank. He never undertook to drill
his party, or lay himself out in caucus, or
force his IDEAS upon his colleagues. Those
who were on tho floor Of the house rccol-
lect that the voice of Messrs. Crane, Por-
ter and others, were more frequently heard
in debate. His mere presence, however,
inspired his party with confidence; and
when din cult question arose, whether it
was point Of law, a constitutional qucs-
tioa. or oint of order, Mr.. Hale was on
hand to unravel, illumine or set the ques-
ton at rest.
In the committee room his capacity for
business and power Of endurance was
most evident. The mind that can anaIyze
and construct and weigh is there readily
appreciated. Mr.. Hale had these qualities.
and his familiarity with the principles and
technicalitles OF law enabled him to use
them to the best advantage. 1t is in the
committee room that the work is accom-
plished. The business there transacted is
brought before the house to be explained
and approved. Here the sentiments Of
persons, the principles of parties and the
motives Of individuals are quite as fre-
qucntly discussed as the merits Of this or
that bill. The speaker doubtless has
great influence in restraining the general
rambling tendency of debate, but during
the session efforts were put forth in this
direction hut rarely. The Ingenuity of the
"Gentleman from Hollis " was especially
exercised in devi:ing methods Of stepping
ont of the rules Of debate to throw mud
at the party obnoxious to him. It was
owing to him that the record Of the De-
mocracy during the war, was ventilated
by couple ofspceches OF more than three
hours length. Mr.. Hale's reply to Mr..
Hubbard was characteristic of its author.
Its intended circulation makes 1t entirely