Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1872-02-01
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY /. 1872.
Editorial Correspondence.
AUGUSTA, Saturday Jan. ~. Isl:

about an average of the Legislatures for /
the last ten years. II has able and honest
men in Il. and perhaps those who were elect
ed because they have never shown ability or /
Independence enough to make any enemies
These members are mere cyphers. and |
hardly know how TO vote at times, or So
yote as TO be in the majority II they can tell
on which side victory will perch. And yet
IL is not always the quiet, good humored
members, that are to be found in this
category. for otten these prove the inielli-
gent, the honest and the safe voting inem-
bers of the great and General Court Of
Maine. But TO thoroughly appreciate the
value. individually and collectively. Of the
Legislature, one must visit it, no; as
lobby member, nor as having any one pet
scheme which he wants put through.
but As locker on having a general Anowl-
edge Of the men of all the branches as
sembled and their schemes. without any
particular bias or feeling ef his own. Then
he will enjoy the fun. judge accurately
or estimate well the value OF each ~ 4
legislator. and put fair value on the worth
OF the gentleman" from this or that dis
trici TO his constituents.
The Lower House is very much like
well conducted towu-meeting. Indeed.
all the knowledge that many members
have of the workings Of deli5eraiiye
body Is what they have learned at home 10
this primary school. But with a dozen.
more or less. Of old members. who are
mp to snuff" in the way Of gaining
point on the new ones, or in securing the
success of some favorite measure. or In
trying their mettle. or In testing their
knowledge Of parliamentary rules. the
daily workings OF the house tends TO
sharpen the wits and 10 move the inert
members 70 some activity. The Legisla-
ture is worth all it costs the State a. an
educational institution. A 4 lawn King
body, it is generally failure. because OF
its large number of new members.
Speaker Robbie has been well described
by that racest and cleyerest OF Augusta
correspondents. 'Percie," therefore Of him
we have nothing to say. only to praise li>
rare good nature. and success a. pre~i-
ding officer.
\ few day. since there appeared in the
Press sketches OF some prominent mem-
bers of the house. II seems 10 us that
these pen portraits are admirably done.
and yet from certain nervousness Of one
or more OF those who s.t. though uuWiu-
insly, for the sly. sharp, dexterous hmner
Il is evident they are not quite plea sed with
the picture" This difference Of judy
uleat between the critic and the criticized
has aisay annoyed the best oil people. Ia
Judging u > painting or a picture OF our
selves. we have to call Ia friends a. an
umpire. 20 Why not follow the same
general rule when Ii>inicrested person
sketches US for public examination and
information. Burns or quoted PRAYER
comes in well here.
20 wai some power the gifie gie u,
To see oursefs a iihers see u -
THE MEMBER From WHITEHEAD.
The disinterested looker-on. who is pre-
pared 10 enjoy all that may be seen and
heard in the house will not fail to extract
lots Of fun from the sayings and doings of
TIE member from Whiteficd. /; j. said
that village or city tciH be judged by it,
public houses, not public buildings. but
hotels. II we are TO judy Representative
districts by the men sen, here 10 make
Laws. then what will be the opinion of
whiieield? Mr.. Carlton Is a perpetual
motion. persoRified; not machine that
needs winding Gp. daily, or ever. but one
that will run for Ala aye with it, present
pent up force. ''Percie" thinks his Jiaos
for h!s plac occupies all the -pac- be
tween his seat and the Speaker, table
He Is ur the sittiHg member. bu, the talk
Ing. Directing. NOV Ing and alAius mem
Der from Nhitedeld. just such a man a.
would be invaluable once in five years
II the same men and the same party were
to run the Legislature for that term but
as an annual member. he j. too expensive
luxury. The Stale cant afford il. while
the men who cut hooppoles" have TO bear
their share of the expense.
NORMAL SCHOOL
fEe resolve appropriating 500 for
the Css1as Normal School was up for
action to-day. Ii elected spirited
discussion. and sharp opposition. Wilson
Of Thomaston. Carlton of Whitefield,
Rolbrook of Knox, King Of Lyndon &C.
opposed it. Belfast has I.ade Al offer TO
furnish building and grounds free II ex-
Pense. and on the score Of economy. iii
resolve Was opposed. Perry of Paris.
Porter OF Burlington. Lord OF Bluchill,
and Stevens Of Parkmsn. advocated il.
the latter making an unexpected and a
sensible and effective speech. IL viii be
recolleeieL that last year SIS. 900 wa, APP
propriatei and not expended, that Castine
purchased and decided the lot for the build
ing 10 the State. chat this town has fulfilled
ali the conditions attached to the contract
for its location there. and yet a systematic
and determined opposition was made to
the States fulfilling its part. II the house
bad been full ii would not have passed
when il did. So if Castine wants the
Normal School, it must not run any more
risks of delay In building the building
after money has once been Appropriated.
THE LOBBY.
This abused branch of the legislature
fares nard with certain members, not be-
cause these are more virtuous than other
members. but because for the time being the
lobby does not belong TO their SET" But
what is Lobby" Greeley says "a Lobby
member is one who frequents the Hobbies
of house of legislation In order 10 in
fiuence the action of the members" This
description was written in the days OF the
infancy of the third branch" for the old
members are not so modest As 10 remain
in the lobbies in this day of inventions.
But there is good deal of loose talk
about lobby members, with no other CLASH
fcation of those who visit the houses for
any purpose during the session Of the
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