The Portland daily press., 1868-01-03
Letter from Augusta.

---l.a. ffg-r 7I AUGUSTA. JAM. 2, 1868.
To the Editor of the Press: .....a, 7,rss-
The echoes of the old years footsteps have
all died away, and happy new one has fairly
taken up the march with its new hopes and,
promises. The old political year, too, expired
with us at the same time, and q new one is
just how inaugurated. The representatives of
the people have again gathered here in Legis-i
lature and effected their organization, the po-
sitions of"profit ond honor" have been dspos-
ed of, the Chief Magistrate duly installed, and
the Civil Government of 1868 is already set in
motion. So few changes have been made
among the more important officers that little
or no jar is produced by the transition, and but
tor the unusual numbe rs throDging the hotels.
boarding houses and streets of our little city,
we should scarcely rea lie that a new govern
m ent is being instituted. Nearly the conven-
tional force of Office seekers, with their respec-
tive fuglemen and coadjutors have been in at
tendance standing around in their wo.fsh
gowns begging of Hob and Dick the ne ded
vouchers" and the usual proportion have retir-
ed an hungered and disappointed. Most of the
vanquished, however, have philosophy in
them" and accept their defeat with resigna-
ton, as among the fortunes of political war
fare. a ai -e@a- e5t5t .i--f e
THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
is undoubtedly one of the ablest that
has assembled here for many years. Among
the more prominent members may be
mentioned Fessenden OF Auburn, Ding
ley of Lewiston, Plaisted of Bangor, Hale
of Ellsworth, Robinson of Dover, Walker of
Macb;ae odburv Of Hollis opd T;+oopoh of
Augusta. AS this body comprises larger
numoer of the opposition than for several pre-
vious years, the mettle and calibre of different
members will soon be tested in debate, and
the session will doubtless be one of unusual
interest as well as Importance.
There are some singular condolences or
points OF similarity in the lives of the two
-ea A PRESIDING OFFICERS
Josiah Crosby, of Dexter, of the Senate, and
Theodore q. Woodman, of Bucksport, of the
House, that may be worthy of notice. They
are both natives of New Hampshire, the one
of Dover and other of Rochester, are cousins
to each other, their mothers being sisters, and
are nearly of the same age, the one being 81
and the other 81. They were classmates and
chums in Bowdoin College, from which Mr..
Crosby was graduated in 1885; but Mr.. Wood.
man, having merry disposition at that time
fell into some "unpleasantness" with the fac
ulty, and at their suggestion left at the close
Of the Sd year and graduated at Dartmouth.
They both entered the legal profession, both
attained high positions at the bar and have
had nearly the same experience in political
life; Mr.. Crosby having been three times
member of the House in former years, and a
member of the Senate last year, while Mr..
Woodman has been four years of the House,
and was in Gov. Crosby's Council in 1854. In
mental qualities, however, they differ quite
widely. Mr.. Crosby is essentially radical,
while Mr.. Woodlands mind is of conserva-
tive cast. 81 -rI..--r l,
Neither of them has commanding presence
or fine voice, and probably neither would
strike the stranger entering the Hall of Rep
resentatives or Senate Chamber, as especially
Smart, but both are gentlemen and from the
perfect fairness of mind, characterizing both,
cannot fail to make acceptable presiding off,
GERS. But the mail is going. More anon.
DAMON. .