The Portland daily press., 1868-01-09


To the Editor Of the Press:
In making up the committees OF the legisla-
ture, where the business is first examined be-
fore discussion in the bodies, it is matter OF
some Importance to so average them that each
member shall assist in that sort of business
which his talents and experience best mt him
for. 1t so happens that there are some COM
mittees that do not necessarily need men OF
large calibre among which. is the comtm-
tee on charge of names The speaker this
session had humorously undertaken to raise
the dignity of that committee by appointing
upon it some of the ablest men of the House.
Fessenden as chairman, with Hubbard, Por-
ter, Walker, Bradbury, Dingley and Hale.
Mr.. Porter who always sees where the joke
comes in, took occasion, in the interval be-
tween petitions and the joint convention OF
the two branches for the election of State off,
GERS, to call out the two gentlemen who occu-
Ply the extremes of that committee under color
OF inquiry of the speaker fol- information. Be-
Mr.. Porter of Burlington arose to inquire of
the chair in reference to the making up of the
committee on change of names. He noticed
on that committee the name of one gentleman
who had never caused any young lady to
change her name. He said he understood the
able chairman of that committee, the gentle
man from Auburn, to be somewhat dissatisfied
that this gentleman should be on it, He wish
ed to inquire whether the matter suggested
would be bar to his serving.
Mr.. Hale of Ellsworth said he supposed
himself to be the individual aimed at by the
gentleman from Burlington. 1t was really too
bad. He, modest man, considered it high
honor TO sit on committee of such lofty inn
portance and made of such lofty names. 1t
was not to be expected that he, a plain man,
should have the all-conquering powers in in
fuen,ing any lacy to change her name that
had been sho&n by the eood-looking gentle-
man from Burlington, and the still better
looking gentleman from Auburn.
Mr.. Fessenden was allowed on a question of
this nature to address the chair when absent
from his seat. He said the gentleman from
Burlington mistook in supposing him to have
any objection to the gentleman from Els
worth occupying a position on that committee.
He had q great regard for him. He knew that
if he had never caused any young lady to
change her name, lie soon would. We shall,
said the gentleman, teach him what we all
know, that it is not the herculean task which
he may have imagined. We trust our expert
ence will not be lost upon him. We can as
sure him that the way trod by the rest of the
committee is a way Of pleasantness and all
their paths are peace.
The Speaker, (Hon. I. Woodman) in answer
to the gentleman from Burlington, replied
that not only was there no objection to the
serving of the gentleman from Ellsworth on
that committee but in fact that committee
had been made up with special reference
to his case, in the confident expecta-
ton that gentlemen of so great experience in
the ways of womankind would succeed in ex-
Treating him from the unfortunate position he
had too long occupied. rf ,.-.
This short episode caused much merriment
in the interval of formal business.
' t- STENOs