Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-01-03
MEETING or THE LEGISLAr LRE.

The Fiftieth Legislature of the State of
Maine will assemble ON the 4th instant.
Half a century has passed since the States
was admitted to the Union. Entering
among the States in the midst of an agita-
tion which threatened the dissolution of the
Union and ended in the Missouri Compro-
mise, it is worthy of notice that the meet
ing of the Fiftieth Legislature finds slavery
abolished, the negro citizen and voter
under the Constitution of the United State,
and Missouri, which came into the Union
the same year as slave State, struggling
to cast off the disabilities incurred by the
rebellion.
This legislature will mark the outgoing
from the gubernatorial chair of Governor
Chamberlain and the incoming of Gov
ernor Perham. Governor Chamberlain
has served the State faithfully four years,
and leaves the impress of his administra-
ton in the greater efficiency of our school
system and the improvement of our teach
ers and schools; the deeper interest awak-
ened in the development of railroads, the
use Of our water power, the encouragement
of manufacturing. the settlement of the
northern part of the State, and the promo
ton Of agriculture. He deserves well for
his efforts in behalf of the State, and will
retire with the respect to which they as
we'll as his personal services in the war en-
title him. Governor Perham, who sue
ceeds him, is not new or untried man in
public affairs. Distinguished for honesty,
ability and industry as member of Con-
gress, fitted by culture and experience to
MI with dignity and ease the responsible
post to which he is called, he will enter
upon the duties of Chief Executive with
the full confidence of his fellow citizens,
and will fill out his administration we
doubt not with honor and profit to tho
State. He will be the twenty-sixth indi.
vidual who has occupied the place, dating
from Governor King. The State is clear.
ly in transitional period so far as its ma
terial interests are concerned, and will re.
quire skill and discretion at the helm tc
keep it OF the track of progress
The most prominent step to be taken by
the legislature is the election of a United
States Senator. This question has been SC
generally discussed and its merits are SC
well understood that it will create no par,
ticular excitement in the republican party
Since the election in September there has
never been doubt among well informed
republicans that LOT NJ. MORRILL, would
be handsomely returned TO the Senate. II
is aquestion which viii be settled within
the republican party. amicably, fairly
honorably, leaving no chance for the de
mocracy to sow discomfort or make an,
practicable breach in the republican lines
Whatever idea there was of coalition be
tween any part OF the republican party an
the democracy is exploded, and never ha
the support Of five republican members c
the Legislature. We shall have harme
nious result. Mr.. Morrill, will be electe
by the full republican vote, and that wi
be satisfactory to the people, who kno,
well his tried integrity. ripe experience
and statesmanlike ability.
Though it has been stated that there
little in the way of business for the legi'