The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1868-02-24
Portland and Rutland Railroad.
WARM POLITICAL DISCUSSION.
Murder at the Insane Asylum.

Especial Dispatch by the International Linel
AUGUSTA. Feb. 22-After the Speakers desJ
had been relieved of the usual morning bust
ness, on motion Of Mr.. Foster, of Portland
the rules of the House were SUSPENDED. ant
the bill incorporating the Portland 81 Rutland
Railroad Company was introduced and refer
red. This measure comes to the Legislature
at very late hour, but as it is understood to
be favored by the citizens of Portland and all
ether railroad interests, it will be likely to re-
ceive no opposition.
A6 half past 10 Mr.. Hale, of Ellsworth, who
was speaking at the hour Of adjournment yes
teaday, took the floor, and for an hour and
three-quarters was listened to with the closest
attention by the House and large number OF
spectators, who crowded the galleries and all
the available space in the hall, as in his clear
and impassioned speech he reviewed the war
record of the Democratic party, to which he
and every Republican has been SO repeatedly
and so tauntingly invited by the leaders of the
Democratic party in the House. The invita-
ton viii not be likely to be renewed, as one
such exhibition of their traitorous sympathy
with the rebellion must be sufficient to satisfy
the most violent copperhead in all the land.
Mr.. Hale closed his speech with an eloquent
vipdication OF the course of the Republican
party during aud since the rebellion, and on
resuming his seat was greeted with three
rounds of hearty applause.
BY an order of the House fifteen minutes
were now allowed for each speaker. and Mr.
Bradbury, of Hollis, used up the twelve re-
naming before the hour of Adjournment to
little purpose, in attempting to hold the Re-
publicans responsible for the publications. of
the Liberator and the speeches of Wendell
Phillips. On assembling in the afternoon MIR.
Bradbury was allowed fifteen minutes to con-
clude bis speech. He was followed in success
sion by Mr.. Billings, of Freedom, (Rep) HUB
bard, of North Berwick, (Dem.) Fessenden, of
Auburn, Blaisdell, of Otis, Reed of Portland,
and Dlngley, of Lewiston, (Reps.l The re-
marks OF Mr.. Reed, Of your city, were char
acterized by strain of biting sarcasm and
irony seldom equalled in that hall.
have no time to give the points taken by
the several gentlemen. At O'Clock the House
adjourned. Thus ended a political debate
which has occupied nearly three days of the
working time of the Legislature, forced upon
~AS appointments W INC f6DtdUeQ UauntS and
gibes of the gentlemen from Hollis and North
Berwick, whose insufferable arrogance only
increased at the manifest unwillinguess of the
Republicans to depart from the legitimate
business of the Legislature.
The Senate after disposirg of the mo ming
business took up the resolves proposing an
amendment to the Constitution, enabling the
State to assume the war debts of towns, which
after brief discussion passed by vote of %
to 8. Mr.. Dudley, of Aroostook, believing that
great injustice would be done by this extraor
binary legislation, voted against the resolve.
notwithstanding the town he represents would
be the gamer of nearly one hundred thousand
dollars above her war debts. Two of the Cum |
bcrland members voted with the majority to |
saddle upon the county debt of seven hum /
dred and eleven thousand, five hundred and |
Chlrty-two dollars. CUMBERLAND.
ITO Associated Press.l
AUGUSTA, Feb. 23.-About IL O'Clock this /
morning Mrs. Mary A. Peaslee was murdered |
by Miss Catherine Hurley, in the third hall of |
the Insane Asylum here, where they were |
alone together. When discovered Miss Hur- |
ley had hold of her victims hair, and was beat
ing her head against the floor. She was plac- |
ed in close confinement, and was unconscious |
Of the horrible deed. She had been insane |
only six weeks and had previously exhibited |
no signs of violence.