Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-01-28

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porate the Riverside Echo Publishing Asso-
citation; an act to set off certain lands IN
Silver Ridge Plantation and annex the same
to the town of Sherman.
Passed 10 be eaacted-An act to incorpor-
ate the Thomaston Savings Bank an act 10
;ncornorate the East Lvermore Camp Meet
inc Association: an act to incorporate the
Baptist Meeting House Society of Belgrade ;
an act TO authorize Robert Crockett to extend
his wharf into the tide waters Of Rockland
harbor; an act 10 amend sec. OF chap. 1914 OF
the laws Of 1858. relating to the continuing
of actions against parties filing petitions in
bankruptcy; an act to authorize John a.
Buck to extend his wharf into tide waters in
Bucksport.
On motion of Mr.. TwTcHELL,
Ordered, That when the House adjourn on
Monday next, it be to the Wednesday follow
| ing.
On motion of Mr. BARRIER, House document
No. 4. containing the order introduced by Mr..
Hume, directing the appointing OF JOINT
special committee to investigate the matter
| referred to in the communication from the
! Adiutant General, contained in sad docu-
ment. was taken from the table.
| Mr.. HtME remarked that the friends of the
measure were not prepared to consider the
subject. and for this reason he moved that the
matter be tabled.
Mr.. FARwEIL hoped the order would not
again go to the table. He was advised that
its present situation was not without embar-
| easements to at least one of the departments OF
the State government. There appears, by
the books of the State Treasury, to be due
from a great number of towns, small sums
of money, VARYING in amounts from two hun
lred to seven thousand dollars, and amount
ing to total of something more than ninety
thousand dollars. This was for bountles ad-
yanced by the State to men enlisted tor such
towns and charged to the towns. There also
appears by the same books, to be due from
the State to numerous towns, just about the
same amount as is due to the State. and In
similar sums for excuses of bounties paid by
towns over and above their quotas.
The law authorizing the equalization OF the
war debts, provides that all the Indebtedness
of state and towns shall be adjusted and can
celled at the time of delivering the bonds.
This the Treasurer has done with many towns,
and was continuing to do so, when this threat
ened investigation is announced. SO long as
such action is promised, prudence will ad-
monish him to ''hold on and see what's in
the wind" Hence promptness is desirable
here.
He understood the order of the gentleman
from Cherryfeld to refer specifically and only
To these communications from the State Treas
urv and Adiutant General. If he was correct.
then they furnished a complete reply. by
statement as plain and simple as Bank ac-
count He suggested therefore that II there
is to be Committee on this matter that it be
appointed at once If this is not the primary
object in view, then let it be withdrawn so far
as it pertains to these communications, that
no hindrances may be put upon progress of
business in the departments. Not only for this
reason, but it is due these two departments
and to former gentlemen who have filled these
Offices that this investigation should be early.
He said this House would remember that the
gentleman accompanied the introduction by
language extreme and violent.
To characterize an official document from
the sworn head of one Of the State Depart
ments as part of scheme of villany as
damnable as had ever been seen by men out
of He'll" is to invite the EXTREMIST parlla-
mentary concessions, and to hold up to I'M
friendly criticism, not only these gentlemen,
but indirectly to impeach the character OF the
past Administration of Maine.
This answer, he said, was complete, direct,
square and positive; an abstract from the
books Therefore he could see no justifca-
ton for these severe, bitter reflections upon
these gentlemen He would not believe that
such statements were the fruits of care or re-
Election. He made no doubt that, i'll his
ripper years, when inexperlence shall give way
TO the aggressive and consderate demands of
maturer judgment; when he shall have grown
into the broader and better proportions of a
completed manhood, then extremes will give
place to reflection, and the sacredness OF
private character and public conduct will find
impartial audience with the gentleman from
Cherryfield. But let me say in passing, that,
- IL, ,bx, hall ton
the bright crest which divides the morning
from the evening of life, and recall what we
know of the past and filter through our mag
ination the misty uncertainties of the future,
no happier angel will pay companonship to
us than the reflection that no brother
man has ever been subjected to dis
honor by our indiscretions. Character has
no companion. 1t stands high and holy
peerless above all things-and he who puts it
in peril without cause, does violence to our
common brotherhood.
The Governor of this State during the
times that these transactions were had, and
during the more bloody years of the war, re-
fectcd unusual lustrc upon our State. 1t
was but the truthful remark that Stanton
made when he said Governor Cony was one
of the four great war governors. When the
Nation is in peril, Cony hears the shrek
and responds without reference to red tape"
Among the grandest records of Maine will be
the part Governor Cony played as its Execu-
tive during the war word as to Gener...
Hodsdon, so long and so faithfully Adjutant
General. He run his department with less
expense, by thousands, than any other similar
officer in the States. When the Convention
of Adjutant Generals was held in 1868, for
devisng plans for making the most perfect
records, and tor facilitating business, and
harmonizing action, it was unanimously de-
termined that Gen. Hodsdon's works should
be considered the standard by which others
would be governed. He did not believe that
more faithful and accomplished officer lived
within the limits of the United States.
He felt bound to say thus much of men
whom he had long known, and whom he made
no doubt would come out of any investigation
as clean and as spotless as the open sky.
These gentlemen tried hard to make their
good State better. and they will come forth
from any enquiry with record indicated and
honor enhanced.
lie hoped that the order would not lie upon
the table, but that the committee would be ap-
pointed, and that they be directed to proceed
at once to the investigation.
Mr.. Hume said he was not prepared to an
swer the very eloquent remarks of the gen
tleman as he was laboring nnder a severe
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