The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1872-11-23

week larger number of prominent political
men from all parts of the State than have been
here at one time since the adjournment of
the Legislature. OF course the organization
OF the State government for 1878 was topic
OF general comment, and the subject OF
tree Interchange Of opinions and predictions.
made it my business to gather whatever l
could and compare the various statements,
SO that the summing up which l shall give
does not represent my preferences since they
are not my predictions. 1t is the general
drift as 1 find it now but which may be turn
ed into other channels before the meeting of
the great General Court" -,t.s
THE ORGANIZATION OF THE LEGISLATURE.
As IS well known there is warm contest
over the Presidency of the Senate. The
thirty-one gentlemen comprising that body
evince provoking hesitancy as to their prob
able action. 1t is more than probable that
they hesitate themselves as to naming the
gentleman they propose to make Lieutenant
Governor. There are four candidates, Chap
lin OF Cumberland, Foster of Penobscot, Far
rington Of Oxford and Kennedy of Lincoln.
The per ;onal friends of either of the last
three are confident of their favorite's success
Ifcertain combinations take place the con-
test will fall between the second and last gen.
tlemen above named.if not, the friends of
harrington may Justly be hopeful but strang-
er things have happened than the nomination
of Mr.. Chaplin, who is to-day in fact the
least prominent of the candidates. From
three sources, we get positive information
that the Maine Central interest have rallied
about ore of the above candidates a small but
solid square of four Senators who will resist
the nomination of any other man with such
tenacity that with four candidates in the fl, Id
no nomination can be made and the fgurers
in this interest expect to secure the success of
their candidate when the contest is narrowed
to two candidates which they intend that
their plan shall do. 1t is a novel and some
what desperate game to play and its defeat
may be insured because some zealot has
leaked. Capt. S. W. Lane of Augusta, for
three years the efficient Secretary of the SEN
ate viii be elected without opposition. For
the position of Assistant Secretary, s'Toby
Candor," and Mr.. Heath who has three years
filed the office, and Mr.. Lord of Blushill are
contestants. The opinion prevails that the
former will be the successful competitor.
For the Speakership of the House there are
two candidates, E. F. Webb Esq.,. of Wqter-
vile and Hon. w. II. Vinton of Gray. The
former having the lead in the race, his easy
success is conceded by the friends of both.
That is the truth about the matter however
your personal preferences may incline. For
the responsible positions of Clerk and Assist
ant, cannot learn that the officers of the
last Legislature have any competitors. Mr..
Chadbourne has SO long run the clerks desk
that no House would willingly intrust it to
inexperienced hands.
There will be little change in the minor
offices of either House. 1t is said that the
usual number of members are anxious to have
their sons take the first lesson in political life
by being made pages of the House or Senate.
THE STATE OFFICES.
For State Treasurer, Hon. William Cald-
well has no competitor SO far as l can learn.
Ofcourse the Legislature viii elect him for
1872, which will be the constitutional limit of
five years fixed by the constitution. Mr..
Caldwell has been connected with the Office
for nearly thirty years. Its admirable sys-
tenn is the result of his industry and skill.
With the present year, he will round out a
life of public service that more ambitious
man might be proud Of III
Hon. George G. Stacy will have no COM
petitor for Secretary of State.
Gen. Murray will doubtless continue as
Adjutant General He has held the Office
since June, 1859; but no man of military
record seems to offer himself as candidate
and as it is very properly considered an Office
that should be filled by veteran of the late
war, Gen. Murray has the field.
There are three candidates for the Land
Office, Hon. P. P. Burleigh who has SO eff
GENTLY discharged the duties of the Office since
1868, Mr.. johnson of Orono, at one time con-
nected with the Agricultural College and Mr.
Ingersoll OF Lincoln. 1t cannot be many
years before the office will be abolished and
this fact together with Mr.. Burleigh's ac-
quaintance with all matters pertaining to
the office and particularly with the settling
lands, evidently give him the best start as
candidate.
An unusual interest is manifested in the
Attorney Generalship. Four candidates are
mentioned thus far: Messrs. Reed and
Strout of Portland and Messrs. Stetson and
Plaisted of Bangor. i am informed that I'M
der other circumstances there would be more
but they are holding back at present. The
'wise ones" say if there was but one Compel
itor against Mr.. Reed-a prominent lawyer
and Republican of well attested party
standing, the success ofthe present Law Officer
of the State might be less matter of certain
ty, but three competitors are more likely
to fight each other than Mr.. Reed, simply be-
cause they will prefer to take second hand
in fight one year hence than to wait four. The
chief argument against Mr.. Reed is not that
he has not filled the place with fidelity and
ability but that he has had it the accustomed
term of years that precedent has established
for holding State offices. His friends say that
this Is not true and if so, is not valid argu-
ment. Mr.. Drummond held the Office of
Attorney General four years. Mr.. Peters
was elected to Congress at the close of his
third year; Mr.. Frye was asked by numer-
Gus friends to be candidate for the fourth
time but declined. Mr.. Flint was Secretary
of State four years and Mr.. Drew the same;
Mr.. Clark held the Land Office for four years
and Mr.. Burleigh has already exceeded that
period. Gen. Hodsdon was Adjutant General
from 1851 to 1857 and Gen. Murray has held the
Office nearly four years. If the investigation
should be carried into the offices of the Sem
ate and House it would be found that three
years as term has been the exception rather
than the rule. But be this as it may: the
old observers now say that under all the cir
cumStances Mr.. Reeds success is as good as
assured.
OTHER MATTERS.
TIL ere is no little interest respecting the
pending appointments for Justice of the SUI
preme Judicial Court, Insurance Commits
sioner and Bank Examiner. If any one has
yet got sufficiently near His ExcelIency to
get an init nation OF his purpose, have been
unable to find the individual. There is a
very determined though quiet contest over
Ind ~, NIxD Ia e..