The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1871-01-02
Messing Of the LeRisIature

duenuiuS Tue cOuStltuulOu DIS 10 makt Tue
sessions bieunal hereafter, and to forbid spec
ial legislation. In this way some expense
would be saved, and the door would be shut
to that great food of corruption which has
swept over other States and, it is feared, is
tending this way.
One of the first things that will be effected
is the election of United States Senator.
The result of this election was determined by
the people, acting with distinct reference to it
in their annual election last fall. So the mat
ter excites no interest or attention, except
among very few monomaniacs who invite
the Democrats to come in and reverse the
decision. They are like the Roman political
faction that, being unwilling to submit to a
fair victory of their opponents, called in the
help of the barbarians that were waiting just
over the border, ready to turn the discussions
of their civilized neighbors 10 their own ac-
count.
Our remonstrance against the creation of
any more expensive sinecures under the name
of commissions has been so generally en-
dorsed by the press and people of the State
that not much more Twill probably be done in
that direction.
Among the reports from commissioners
that are to be received and acted upon this
year are those of the Scandinavian, the Jail
and the paper credit commissions. The sub
ject of the revision OF the statutes will come
up again, on account of the unauthorized
cancellations made by one of the commission.
ers to correc; errors and omissions occasfoned
by the inexcusable negligence of another
member of the board. But as the statutes
have been printed as revised, it will only be
necessary TO re-enact them. 1t is said that an
attempt will be made to revise the State
valuation Of last year, many towns being dis
satisfied. The difficulty of making any valua-
ton satisfactory to everybody will probably
moderate the zeal Of most members for a
"new deal"
The subject of new apportiontment Of the
State for Congressman, Councillors, Senators
and Representatives TO the Legislature has
been extensively discussed in these columns.
1t is matter that will receive good deal of
attention, and will occasion vast amount of
what old Old Ben Wade would called ''craw-
fishing"
1t is said that an attempt will be made by
the friends of State constabulary and wo-
man suffrage and the opponents of capital
punishment to have their projects acted upon
by the Legislature. As for the first, it is
madness to think of it. The result of the
elections in Bangor and Lewiston last fall and
in this city and Augusta in the spring of 1869,
shows clearly enough what the consequences
would be. The title of constabulary law
might well be San act 10 restore the Democra-
cy of Maine 10 power" The effect can be
foretold with absolute certainty. Nearly every
city in the State would elect Democratic
mocracy did not sweep everything before
them canceling our nine thousand majority of
last year and electirg Gen. Roberts or some
other Democratic governor they would un-
doubleday come very near it. Even if this
consideration should have little weight with
have weight with most of them) the frnther
consideration that with the Republican party
there would certainly be sweptaway every yes
tige of the prohibitory laws now in force must
be regarded as of some consequence from
their special point of view. No one can re-
gret this state of facts more than I'VE do, but
nothing is gained by shutting the eyes and
going Oh in utter disregard of consequences
The sooner The decidedly letrograde tendency
of public sentiment on this question is arrest
ed the better.
The school laws are the most important
subject with which the Legislature will have
to deal this winter II is not by any means
matter of surprise that the Same party that in
all States opposes impartial suffrage, liquor
and registration laws should array itself in
this Stale against laws framed to promote the
interests of education. Nearly every Demo-
cratic paper in Maine has declared itself op-
posed to county supervision and to the new
law vesting in school committees the power to
employ teachers; there is little danger, how
ever, that either of these reforms will be over
thrown. On the other ihand the gentleman
who is at present at the head of the educa-
tional department in this State, and to whom
the State is SO much indebted for the
much needed educational revival that has be-
gun, is aggressive and will urge upon our leg
islators still other reforms We trust he will
this year abandon the uniformity scheme
which has excited so much belligerency
among rival publishers, who are interested on
both sides and have crowds of parts
ans, that it is difficult for honest men to form
an opinion. He should rather concentrate
all his energias in nrging upon the Legislature
his plan for compulsory attendancy. His report
showing that one-ha!f of our Maine youths
are growing up without the advantage of cur
common schools is an eloquent argument for
such law. Thsse Prussians that are stridipg
over the world ought not to be allowed to
monopolize everything and
thoroughness of education as well as every
thing else.
OF TIE nine or ten new railroad charters
and changes in town and county lines that
are asked for we have already spoken.
The caucuses for nominating officers of the
House and Senate will be held Tuesday night.
We see no reason to change the opinions we
have previously expressed as to the result of
the Republican caucuses. Wednesday night
the caucus for tie nomination of State Off
GERS will be held. 1t is understood that they
are all to be renominated. York, Cumber-
land, An1roscoggin, Somerset, Lincoln, Pc
nohscot and Hancock are entitled to mem
bers of the Executive Council this year.
There is no opposition TO the reelection of
Hon. VIM. Deerng from this county, In An
droscoggin county S. R. Bearce and John R.
Pulsier are candidates. Probably the Republ-
can caucus for the nomination of United
States Senator will be held Thursday, while
by the general law passed by Congress for all
the States the election will take place week
from Wednesday.
There is likely to be at least one contested
election case in the House. A certificate of
election has been issued to Moses Foster of
Bethel, Republican, but Mai. G. A. Hastings
Democrat, who would have been returned but
for some informality, will probably contest
the election.
Plans are said to have been extensively and
skllfully laid by parties in New Hampshire
to secure tie election,of Legislature that
will remodel the present Judiciary system of
the State. 1t is proposed to do the thing by
securing the nomination of men for Senators
and Representatives who are favorable to the
measure regardless of their politics. The
scheme has certainly no partisan look, but it
is being managed by shrewd and influential