The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1870-03-28
The Legislature Of 1870.


member of the first legislature of our State,
has prepared calculation from our recent
valuation, which shows the comparative
wealth of a resident in either of the several
towns in the county should the taxable prop
erty be distributed among the polls. The
correctness OF the calculation and the neat
appearance of the manuscript indicate that
time has made but little impression upon one
OF our Oldest Legislators. There are but few
of the members OF the House and Senate who
first started the legislative wheels of our noble
State that are alive to-day to witness its ma
terial prosperity. We are able in this section
Of the State to mention the names of but
thee who still are largely enjoying their fac
ulties and a reasonable degree Of health.
Mark bennett of Kittery is "a years old
He is the only surviving member from York
county, and he informs us, shat in about the
same proportion his constituents of tina year
have taken their departure from this life"
He has been the father of fourteen children.
Eleven of that number have died and three
only survive. 1t is always pleasant to read
and reflect on the teachings of old age. We
copy from recent letter which was not in
tended for publication, but we trust our
friend will excuse the liberty taken. It was
written to brother member of the Legisla-
ture Of 1920, which shows that friendships and
remembrances which formed so conspicuous
a part of the sayings and doings of the last
day of each passing session are not idle words
The old Legislator says:
My health is better than I can reasonably
expect at my age. My hearing is very poor /;
but my eye sight very good. l can read by
day light without glasses-my head is very
white.
But feel debility and the infirmities of age
growing upon me. Nevertheless I keep up a
little degree OF activity by some work, walk
ing and riding. consider exercise as promo
tive OF health and activity. think feel CRATE
ful to my Heavenly Father that he has rer-
mitted me to live until can lay aside the
cares and anxieties of Lille and have more
time and opportunity to prepare for higher
and better state OF existence.
Peter c. Virgin, Esq, of Rumford is said to
be the only surviving member from Oxford
County. He is IS yeas old, and is perform
ing the duties of Post Master of that town.
He is gentleman of the old school m an
OF sterling integrity and great moral worth
He is father of Hon. w. w. Virgin of Norway
who has also been conspicuous in the Legisla-
ture OF the State.
There is but one member from Cumberland
County, who is permitted to outlive bis wor-
thy associates; Hon. Toppan Robe of Cor
ham, who had prior to 1920 acquired consid-
cradle experience in the Legislature of Mas
sachusetts, and since been connected with
the Legislative history Of our State in several
positions. The last office which he filed was
that of Councillor during Gov. Kent's ad-
administration in 1888. An old file of the
Daily Eoening Advertiser, has the following
comments on making the announcement of
the selection:
No man stands higher in the community
for intelligence and uprightness or is more
cherished Tor bis worth and urbanity than
roppan Robe. He was not taken from the
city but from the country, and is we'll ac-
qaainted with the interests and feelings and
equally devoted to the welfare of both.
Fifty years have nearly passed away since
the close of the first session. Over thirty
years since the old Wing party experienced
its first victory in our State. Political par
ties have undergone great changes, as we'll as
men since those periods. The latter gentle
man has not been since in public life, but all
along, and even now, at the advanced age of
So years, like his two living associates
manifests the same interest on all political
questions.
THE CALCULATION.
The number of Polls in the State of Maine
returned by the Valuation Committee is 49,
1876; estates, PIG. 666 ,5O4. The average valua-
ton, if divided by the polls, would be 81 534.
The average valuation, by similar process in
the county of Cumberland would be $2,47O
If the valuation of each town in the county
was equally distributed among the polls there
of, the following result would be obtained: