The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1871-01-26
Letter from Augns,n.
AUGUSTA, Jan. Is, 1871.
No TT DOESN'T.

tive wisdom of Maine came here in stage
coaches, voted against banks, opposed giving
charters to corporations, and played bluff and
drank brandy as the mildest amusement. l
thought for once that there had been some
mistake, or else was the Rip Van Wrinkle of
Maine going backwards.
The PRESS, no wever, makes one mistake.
The demand for municipal aid does not come
from capitalists. Our local capitalists, or
those who let money at twelve per cent. are
opposed to the measure. But mechanics,
farmers, and productive industry in general
make the demand, not to aid capital, Dut 10
secure skilful workmen who have the moons
only in part, but that part they bring from
other States or countries with their skilled la
Dor.
THE LAWS DELAY.
As the session advances, it promises to be
longer. Even if the Legislature was so dis
posed, it is impossible to hear all parties be-
fore Commitsees at the time that attorneys
can spare. The Westbrook case goes over
week from last Monday, not because the COM
mittees are not ready, but because attorneys
have other engagements. The Railroad Com
mittee had to assign hearings to accommo-
date the parties interested.
THE REVISED STATUTES.
We have now a revised and consolidated
set of statutes. i. is well that it should be
| known. The verbal corrections cover about
three pages of printed document
THE GOVERNORS STAFF.
The appointments of the Governors mill
| tary family are good, though he could have
| remembered more of the once real soldiers of
| the State without detriment. But titles are
coveted, and if a fellow can get them just as
| well now as by winning them at the risk of
his. bead, he is fortunate to say the least.
Gen. Hall, the Inspector General, is the
present and newly appointed Collector at
Waldoboro'. He was one OF our most promi-
nent Maine men in the artillery arm of the
service. Surgeon General Thompson is now
a member of the House, and was surgeon of
the 18th Maine. Col. A. B. Sumner was one
of the gallant 9th Maine. Col. Elias Milhken
was for time Lieut.. Colonel of the 18th
Maine. Major Fred e. Shaw was captain in
the First Heavy Artillery of the 18th Maine,
| and is now editor of the Oxford Democrat
J. Manchester Haynes, Esq, is graduate of
| Waterville and an active and official business
man, now one of the Kennebec Lumber &
Land Co. Fred. N. Dow, ESQ.,, is well known
in your city and needs no introduction from
me.
EDMUND WILSON.
I have not yet noticed all the noticeable
| men in the House. Doubtless in my ignor-
ance shall pass by a bright and peculiar
! star. But there is man just out to the right
in the front seat, who watches the movement
| of matters very carefully and lie now and
then makes move, but always when least
expected, yet at the right moment. The 9TH
er day gentlemen spoke for fifty thousand
| Democrats with flourish of trumpets which
| at least proclaimed that in his own estimation
he was the leader of that party in the House.
Our subject let it pass for that time, but when
the proper moment came the next day, he did
not beat him with club but so professionally
let stilleto between the fourth and fifth ribs
OF the would-be-leader that neither he nor
any other declaimer will speak, on his own ac-
| count, for, the fifty thousand Democrats of
Maine not during this session. As legisa.
tor he has little sympathy with that progress
sive class that rush matters, as he is careful
and watchful and of good judgment. Person
ally few men have more warm friends in
either party. He goes for shams, even to
sham democracy. You would not notice him
in the House for the four or five first days, but
after that pom sunnld look for him every day.
So long as Democrats come 10 the Legislature
may Edmund Wilson of Thomaston, be one
of them.
SPEAKER SMITH.
Mr.. Speaker Smith is straightforward
man. He don't naturally attempt to reach an
object by going away from it, or to founder
about with no object in view. He does not
stand for forms, but goes ahead in his own
way, which is always the best. No one who
knows MIN would ask him to make up a COM
mittee in any interest or aid in forcing bill
against the majority or TIE right. I am told
he is good lawyer, but should suspect it
after few days acquaintance, for he would
not be otherwise if eminence could come from
effort. Mr.. Smith is not married man, but
l am inclined to attribute the fault wholly to
himself. If York county, when it is Looking
about for man to represent that district in
Congress has many better men than Edwin
B. Smith to honor old York is fortunate be-
yond measure.
FREDERICK ROBBIE.
Up among the back seats sits man who is
as well known in political circles as most any
man of his age in Maine. I first saw him in
the threatening days of the spring of 1861,
then, if 1 am not mistaken, a member of Gov.
Washburn's staff. next saw him at the pay
table, and he paid the first of Uncle Sans
money! ever saw. Afterwards, when have
seen clownish paymaster abuse enlisted
men, I thought of the contrast. He is a
warm friend, jealous advocate and popular
wherever known. l am not surprised to
know that few men of his age are more popu-
lar in Cumberland county or has more infu. |
ence ia the party councils Years ago he used |
to be called CDR. Robie," but however learned |
or skilled in that profession, he evidently had |
no taste for it, but finds more congenial |
field in business, for which he has marked |
ability. As legislator he is inclined to be |
practical. He is member of the Railroad |
Committee, for which he is eminently quail.
fed. Few men have more pleasing address,
few have more friends and few are more de-
serving. When he espouses cause he stands |
by his friends case manfully. He is the bust
ness manager of the PRESS, but has no sus-
picions who may be E.U.M.
HE fact that the poems written by girl |
of sixteen who has been. dead forty-five years
are thought worthy of republication at this |
time convinces one that the myth-llke stories
ahnnt Chatterton and "the Admir- aLlo Clric-
ton" may be true. Hurd G Houghton, New