Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1869-11-26
The SDcdkerShiD.

Several years in the State Legislature
enables me to form something of cor
rect conclusion as to what make up the
qualifications OF good Speaker of the
House of Representatives" 1t is mol
enough, tina. he was born in any partic
ular County, nor is itespecially necessary
that his birth place. should have been
among the Hills of "Old Oxford" He
should be man of full voice, familiar
with the rules of the House. versed IN
Parliamentary law, courteous in hi:
bearing to members, know no majoritie:
or minorities in the house In word be
the Representative Of all interests which
tend to promote the growth and devel'
opemcnt of the industry Of the State. be
they broad or narrow or both.
Now we venture the assertion that II
would be the unanimous affirmation OF
the members of 1869. that Col. a. b.
Farwell of Augusta, exhibited these qnal.
ifications in prominent degree. And
the many times he was called TO the Chair
in he absence of Speaker Drummond,"
was tribute OF significant and decisive
import. Not only was he appreciated as
most acceptable Speaker, but he was
generous and comprehensive in his Leg
isla,ive actions. In fact we hazard moth
ing in saying he had no personal or local
schemes before the Legislature; nor did
he appear as the avowed friend of either
of the rival Rail Road interests, so con-
spicuous in the Legislature oflast winter.
Further we are authorized to say that so
fair were his acts relative to their interests,
that the officers of the Maine Central
Road do not oppose him, while some of
their leading ones openly advocate his
election 10 the spcakership. To be brief,
unless the next House selects speaker
ofrarc aptitude in the dispatch OF business,
the session will be unusually long, and
expensive There are questions OF unusual
and extraordinary Importance, coming
before the next Legislature, which must
prolong it very considerably.
The question oft revision of the Stat
utes, is one demanding the most careful
consideration and scrutiny, and will prob.
bly, occupy the attention of the House for
ten DAYS But perhaps the most important
of any, will be the establishment of the
State Valuation, for the next ten years :;
heretofore th;squestion may not have been
considered of prominent Importance, be.
cause the State WAS free from debt. aud
the tax nominal. Now it'll n debtoftcn
millions. or nearly that, each town will
bc exercised with the most JEALOUS anAic-
~, and will demand explanations OF the
mnuest detail. Fiicea days devoted
to the consideration of this question. will
not be thought An cNtrayigant estimate.
This we may safely assert, that with
an inapt or inexperienced man in the
chair, the session is likely to he more
than less then ninety DAYS; while with a
man If assured dispatch anil familiarity.
they may reasonably hope for an adiorun-
ment in seventy five days This saving
of fifteen to twenty days to two hundred
and thirty mambcrS, with board al from
one to three dollars per day, amounts in
the aggregate Ia say.tcn thousand doil1rs.
For these reasons, it seems la IT, the first
duty of the House 10 cleo, Il faithful and
intelligent man to the "spcakcr>hip. aud
Mm man who will do the work most
speedily consistent with public safely
and return the members soonest to their
homes. An On MEMBER.