The Portland daily press., 1868-03-12
DAILY PRESS.
PORTLAND.
Thursday Morning, March %, 1868.


HO StohG
! Natl onal affairs have been so pressing tbI,
winter that our legislators at Augusta have
hardly received their proper attention
The honorable member from ''the interior,
who went to Augusta for his first term, ex
pectns to attract the eyes Of the nation tc
himself, must have elt sighted when he
found that the description OF Thad. Stevens
daily ride from his house to the Capitol in an
armchair was more considered than all his
own efforts for the public good. When a
member of Congress calls another tool, as
the custom of Congressman is, we have Wash
inston specials, descriptive of the particular
hue OF fire that flashed from the eve of the
member assaulted. No wonder that the
member of our local legislature should feel
his own winsed-words of truth and soberncss
deserving of some consideration, when so
much IS accorded to the bilingsgate of
Others
| Three hundred and seven acts and one
hundred and one resolves were passed during
the session of the Legislature just closed
| when the legislature assembled its action up
on the liquor question was awaited with the
most curiosity. AS was anticipated, the act
providing for State police has been repeal
| ed The imprisonment clause in the law of
last year is so modified as to leave it discre-
tlonary with the presiding judge to fine OF
lmprison, as he may see fit. The fine
imposed by section seven of the liquor law OF
1858 is fixed at thirty dollars; and the fine in
case OF convictions under sections fourteen,
nineteen and twenty of the same law is fixed
at fifty dollars. These amendments to laws
previously existing are to take effect only in
cases arising subsequent to their passage
Another act provides that the sale of cider
shall be legal in any case, and that unmixed
domestic wines may be sCId for medical and
sacramental purposes. Still another act
makes it the duty of municipal officers and
constables to make complaints against violat-
ors OF the law prohibiting drinking houses,
gambling saloons and houses of ill-fame.
Among the other acts of general interest
is the one equalizing the municipal war debts.
Here the golden mean was duly observed.
The recommendation of the commissionson
assumption, appointed by the last legislature.
was adopted substantially as made Towns
are to receive one hundred dollars for every
three-years man furnished to the army dur
ing the war. This is equitable and proper, but
the proposition of Mr.. Farley, which the sell
fishness Of some towns leads their repre-
sentatives to support, was. palpably unjust
and unwise. To double the one hundred
dollars paid towns for each man, would have
defeated the very object which the bill had in
view.
The act to incorporate the Maine Gen
eral Hospital deserves especial notice.
The efficiency and fame of the Massachu-
sets General Hospital cannot be attained at
once, but there is great satisfaction in know
ing that the initial steps have been taken for
the foundation of an institution that is des-
tined to relieve an incalculable amount of
suffering. The resolves relating to an Asy-
lum for Inebriates and an Industrial School
for Girls belong to the same general branch
of humane legislation, and we can only re-
gret that more decided steps were not taken
toward consummating the projects --l
The acts continuing State pensions to des-
titute soldiers and sailors, and providing for
the issue of certificates of service to persons
who entered the military service during the
late war will be universally commended.
The act providing for the taxation of ma
tional bank stock in the towns where it is
owned, in conformity with recent law of
Congress, will remove a cause of complaint
| vf "i-isl H. nAinnnratS have ayailed them
selves in vain attempt to excite disaffection
against the dominant party. The snspen-
| sion of specie payments is continued in ac-
cordance with the exigencies of the finan-
cial situation. The bill in further aid of the
European and North American Railroad will
| insure the speedy completion Of that great
enterprise, which is of more than local i'm
| portance.
The Legislature kept pretty closely within
its strictly appropriate sphere, and was thus
| enabled to do large amount of work. The
| celebrated debate on national affairs was
| courted by the minority, but short work was
made of it, and its result was just what any
patriotic citizen would wish. The resolves
in relation to impeachment and the rights oil
naturalized citizens sufficiently indicate the
fidelity of the State to correct views on ma
tional topics.
Our demands for legislation of local char
acter were, we believe, all acceded to. The
establishment of a Superior Court in this
county will insure the more prompt admins
tration Of justice, and the legislation relating
to the various railroads in which Portland i:
interested win stimulate those enterprises
We notice with satisfaction that quite mum
Der of Portland business corporations were
chartered.