The Portland daily press., 1871-01-20

AUGUSTA, Jan. 10th, 1871.
THE PROPOSED LAW TO ENCOURAGE MANU-


News from the state Capitol.
AUGUSTA, Jan. 10th, 1871.
THE PROPOSED LAW TO ENCOURAGE MANU-
FACTUREs.
The matter of a general law to enable
towns to vote certain amount OF aid to en-
courage manufacturing enterprises does not
make favorable impression upon the legal
wisdom OF the Legislature. The lawyers do
not fad in the mouldy authorities any prece-
dent tor the policy, and others deem that it
may be unconstitutional and positively dan
gprous. But the larger part of the progress
i've people of Maine see that there is no 9TH
er course to deveope the State and if the
towns do not make move, the young men
and capital of Maine will not only continue
to leave the State but emigration will be ac-
CELEBRATED. Indeed, by continuing this do moth
ing policy, the lawyers will not long find
clients in Maine except in now and then set
Ting the business of some insolvents and de-
ceased party. Let the bill be well guarded,
requiring two-thirds vote Of the town at
meeting that shall have three weeks notice in
county paper, as we'll as by the ordinary
means, and there can be little trouble. As to
the Constitutional objection, the Legislature
has already authorized towns to loan their
credit to The amount of five per cent of the
valuation.
WALTER WELLS AT WORK.
The jealous and tireless Walter Wells-a
really wonderful man,-is putting not lobby
work into this matter, but in his telling man.
ner, urging it by sound argument. He will
aidress the Judiciary Committee Thursday.
Personal.
In my last letter, briefly noticed some of
the leading men Of the House. Let us con-
tinue.
That man just to the Speakers left, back
few seats is too well known in the Legisla-
ture of Maine to require an extended notice.
Legislation is with him duty No measure
escapes his careful scrutiny. He never prys into
thing that is none OF his business, he never
assails men nor Genounces measures. Those
who have jobs to get through call him the
swatch dog" of the treasury, yet no man is
more willing to vote liberal appropriations for
perienced judgment. His hair was white
when we first saw him, but neither age nor
labor has bent his form or impaired the vigor
of his mental faculties. Maine will always
have safe and honest Legislation so long as
such men as Marshall Cram aid in its charac-
ter.
Further on to the lett, next to the wall is
hot Sc 1u opd hoe
many cordial acquaintance in the House as
any other member. Sixty-six as active years
as ever fell to the lot of any man have not
given curve ito the spine of the veteran.
He always commands the attention of the
House; his speeches being short. pointed and
generally humorous. Years ago, he was
Universalist preacher, who for little pay or
honor, lifted up his voice in the wilderness.
Daniel Stickney of the Sunrise, has probably
had more newspaper controversies than any
man in New England. He likes it. All the
hard experience of his sxty-fve years has not
soured him, and we may add has mot taken
the edge from his invective and sarcasm.
Under the gallery on the right of the Speak
er, sits man that would attract attention in
any assembly. Nature has been more than
partial to him in giving him a person of large
and symmetrical proportions and dignifed
bearing. He is beyond doubt the noblest
looking man in the House. He is genial and
pleasant and regards legislation as business.
He never makes what the young man from
Bunkum calls speech, but he has clear
terse way of telling the House what he thinks.
&c is at present chairman on the part of the
House of the Railroad Committee. He
knows the business like book and makes If
business. He is said to be the wealthiest man
in the House, but aside from any such consid-
Grafton James T. Patten of Bath is a man
that any dellberative body may be proud of.
lie is about forty, perhaps forty-fve years of
age, is engaged in ship and railroad business,
and was mayor of Bath until he positively
refused further election.
Within speaking distance, with the seat of
Mr.. Pike is one of the youngest looking men
in the House, yet he is prominent member
of the Judiciary, and chairman Of the Com
mttee on elections. The first time ever
saw him was in 1859, when as rosy faced
youth be entered Watervile College, before it
staggered under the name of Colby University,
as about the youngest member of the Fresh
man class. He took his stand among the.frst |
Of his class in scholarship. end early display
ed an aptness for debate, being one of the |
eaders in the college societies. If he was not |
good boy in College no one ever knew it,
lie first tried law in Bath, then went to Port
and, where by industry and energy he has
obtained an excellent practice, with most fiat
tering promises for the future. In the House
ne is an able debater, never INDUCING in set
speeches, SO that he always gets hearing
Ii be had had half score Of years that we are
accustomed to call experience, but is ottener
stupidity, he would have made splendid
fl 5ht for the Speakers chair, which he now
occasionally fills with rare ability. But Bon.
ney had learned the "crime of being Young
man." ard preferred to wait. That the civ
Of Portland shonld send this young man of
only four years residence to represent its In
.erests In the General Court better speaks his
worth than any words of mine. His friends.
and they are numerous, predict an honorable
md even brilliant future for their favorite.-
ae is now % years of age.