The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1871-02-28
Letter from Augu >ta.
CLOSE OF THE SESSION,

AUGUSTA, Feb. ~, 1871.
The fftieth Legislature that adjourned this
mornioR without date, has done nothing to DIS
tinguished it in any marked man ner from its
forty-nine predecessors. In point Of average
ability it will compare favorsbly in botn
branches with most of them and much better
than some. There have been few great states
men in either branch. AS the estimate is usually
made; but large number of practical and aple
men representing we'll and faithfully every iu-
du,try of the State and every profession. How
versatile these are, glance at the register will
show. 1t is the encouraging feature in the
condition of Maine to day, and gives us the
best assurances of its future prosperity.
III should point out the distinctive features
that mark the present Legislature 1 should
say, independence, industry and economy.
There was very noticeable absence of rings
or cliques Every measure, if it did rot stand
or fall on its Intrinsic merits or demands, was
considered independ,n tly Of all others. Once
in while there was tinge of that bisoted con-
servatism evident that marked the early policy
of Name toward corporations. and progressive
tendencies in material development which
gave Massachusetts, century's start in quar-
ter OF that time, but it was a matter for con-
graduation that this was largely coLfiued to
few of the leaders of that period who by out
living their time, strayed into the Legislature
once more.
NO CORRUPTION.
A year ago, a crowd of croakers told Us that
the Legislature of Maine was controlled by
railroad interests aud that the combination OF
two or three large companies then talked of,
would be able to shape all legislation. The
combination took place, but any observer with
half common sense would say to-day that there
has not been a legislature for years where
these leading corporations were SO utterly
without power or Influence. There was not
influence enough in the friends of consolida-
ton, although they number some of the strong
est and influential meu in both parties, to Sc
cure fifty notes in both branches for PROPOSE
ton OF this character. II all the future leoisla-
lures can 10 away from the capital so entirely
free from the charge of corrupt bargains lobby
Influences and class legislation, the people of
Maine will be fortunate indeed.
PRAIsEwoRTHY ECONOMY
The fact that the present legislature has been
economised in its special appropriations and
has taken efficient measures not only to check
tho natural tendency to expansion of expendi-
ture but to reduce it will be appreciated by
the people-even if the bill to assess a tax of
over vi ,125.O0O does not appear a bagatele.
How the demand for this tax arose is so
well known that our Democratic friends if
they were not strangers to the beautiful virtue
of modesty, would never allude to it.
1t is to be hoped that one or two loud
mou;hed, pachydermatous members will not
hatter themselves that they are the lions of
these reforms because their cracked discordant |
voices filled the House with their eonstart din.
Let them not imagine that sensible men mis-.
took their constant braying for roaring.
LITTLE INCIDENT.
1t sometimes curious to note how little Incl
dents or rather accidents affect the assembly
of men, and it was never more marked than in |
the present House During the consideration |
OF appropriations, the other evening, Carleton
was savageIy and remorselessly using his
'enseless bludgeon of "indefinite postpone
nent" and Sewall was using his keen pun
sg-knife at striking OUT when the matter of
he Reform School came up. A motion to
trike out an appropriation for steam heating
apparatus brought to the floor two Androscoe-
in men who happened to belong to that COM
q ttee, Perkins of Poland and Osgood OF Lew
.tou. MIR. Perkins, does not claim to be an
rator but is a big hearted man. He told that
louise about those boys-how they lived, We're
ed, taught, clothed &c.,-in way that touch
d every generous heart. Then MIR. Osgood,
Vho was born Democrat and made thor
ugh Methodist exhorter-a qleer combina-
ion to be sure-took up the subject, not ee-
antly or logically, but just as he talked in
ting, SO that when he was done, Mr..
ewall withdrew and on the spur OF the mo-
1ent the House would have voted half doz-
n steam heating machines. By the way, DR..
ones recommended and the Legislature voted
more generous diet and more general comfort
Or the boys there. Similar statements from
members not regarded as talking men secured
generous deal for the Eastern Normal
school.
WAR ON SUPERINTENDENT JOHNSON
Led by one of the gentlemen above referred
D there has been an increasing ard systemat-
warfare upon Superintendent johnson and