Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-02-28
OF THE LEGISL4-
TURE

The Fiftieth Legislature finally adiour-
ned on Monday, after session of fifty
five days. The session of 20 was seventy
eight days in length, and that of 60 sixty
six days. The duration of former sessions
has seldom been more than sixty-six nor
less than sixty days Last year the state
valuation caused delay aud protracted the
session about two weeks. So the legisla
ture of this year has achieved the distinc-
ton for which it aimed at the outset-a
short session. The members worked ear
ly and late, committees pushed business,
very little debate was INDUCED in, few
speeches We're made, and haste was the
watch-word
Looking back over the session there
are few who participated in it that do not
now regret the rapidity with which bust
ness was driven. Many grave questions
were hurried over with little considera-
ton, and small matters were neglected
that needed looking after. Most felt that
at least week longer should have been
occupied in the session. and that u fort
night would not have been unprolitably
spent for the State. Still the clamor for Il
short session arising from those who
know nothing practically Of legislation,
and the meager pay allowed members, tend
directly to produce hasty work. crude, half
considered legislation, to the detriment of
the best interests of the State. The fault is
not SO much in the members as in the sys-
tenn under which they act, and the i'm
pulse the popular clamor gives for short
sessions. Given limited pay and the idea
prevalent that the ability and fidelity of
legislatures are proved by the briefness of
but rapid and poorly executed work ?
Better have the task we'll done. even if it
takes few days longer, than under whip
and spur rush the session through and
leave the work poorly executed.
The mass of business during the session
was large and important. The election of
Il IitCo States tDCiitttcl tiit dPIJOl
ment of the State for senator's, representa-
tives, and councillors were measures of
high political Importance. The demand for
railroad legislation was extensive, and none
created more interest than the actor the ex-
tension of the Boston and Maine TO Port
land and that for the building of the
Aroostook railroad The educational
system of the State was fiercely attack
ed, but has suffered no serious damage
In the early part of the session town
aid to manufactures met with hard usage
but in the closing days better opin-
ions prevailed and struggling towns re-
eeiyed the encouragement and assistance
they asked Time viii show that liberali-
ty in this direction is not misspent, and
that the recommendation of Governor
Perham in his Message upon this matter
was the most important measure proposed
for the Improvement of the State. The
course of the Legislature in at first refusing
to countenance towns loaning aid, and then
after consideration and having the opin-
ion of the Judges of the Supreme Court,
taking the opposite direction, is an evil
dence that the subject of town aid to
manufactures will stand investigation
and appears more reasonable, inst,
and proper the more it is considered. If
our State is to prosper in wealth and popu-
lation it must be by the introduction Of
and in the absence of pri-
vate capital the public hand must be open
ed literally. as it may be and yet prudent
ly, to assist in the occupation of our
water power until such time as private
enterprise can bear the burden alone.
This is a policy which we must adopt or
go backward A step which we hope to
see result in benefit to the. State is the far
Their promotion of Swedish immigration.
So far the scheme has been successful,
and we trust the larger encouragement and
means given will afford corresponding
profitable return. Aroostook has no rea-
son to complain of what she has achieved
this session in the way of legislation.
That the legislature was governed by
honest motives, and gave due attention to
the subject of economy, there is abundant
evidence. Its mistakes were mostly those
due to haste and want of elaboration.
No party spirit prevailed through the scs-
sion. The democratic minority had the
full influence to which their numbers en-
titled them. Upon the whole the session
was pleasant, and if its labors have not
satisfied everybody it is no exception in
this respect to other Legislatures that have
gone before it.
Dispatches from Montevideo bring the
intelligence that the contending forces
have had bloody battle in which the
government was victorious. Minister
Stevens is taking the lead in a movement
by the foreign ambassadors in the city to
bring about peace between the belliger-