The Portland daily press., 1872-01-13
AUGUSTA. Jan. II, 1872.

TO BUsrNEss-A CAT THAT IS UNDER THE
MEAL ETC, ETC. aeon Il
AUGUSTA, Jan. II, 1872.
Like the irresistible Gail Hamilton we have |
firm faith in Revelations" Our doctrine is, |
that if a thing is worth knowing at all, it's |
worth telling to others. And certainly the best |
of all guides commands us not to 'shide our |
lights under bushel" A man or a woman
who hasn't anything to say needs good wide
road or they II be sure to crowd. On the other
hand we execrate those people who, when they
do tell anything tell it with that sef-satisfed,
surprised air as much as to say: "Where have
you been all your days not to know that?' A
week ago we were in entire ignorance of legis-
lative halls, and knew not whether they resem-
bled most barn or parlor. A week-hence
many will undoubtedly be in the same blissful
state of ignorance, since all the world have
not conferred at the 'sCapital' this winter, Meth
er are likely to do so for two good and sufficient
reasons. First, they couldn't get anything to
eat; secondly, no place to sleep. Eating and
sleeping being the two principal 'holts ON life
the rest of the world are likely to stay at home.
And yet it is pleasant to know that the Capital
exists all the same; that its principal avenue is
State street, long and wide and lined on either
side by beautiful residences and stately old
trees that in the summer meet in green, shady
arch FER head, and in the winter drop fanciful-'
ly formed iccles ON the heads of passers by. At
the extreme end of this much travelled thorough
fare is the State House, a handsome, solid and
substantial looking edfice of granite, two stor-
SO ha;o mid q IN t0p
all standing placid and peaceful ON the top of a
very high hill, and approached by three very
handsome flights of stone steps, just now care
fully boarded over to keep ''the high-minded
from falling" Directly opposite is the back
entrance to the establishments which would be
easier of access were it not for the encountered
state pertaining to back doors in general.
Both of these entrances open into the rotun-
da. And here, under the arched and fretted
ceiling, the members most do eongregate in the
early hours of the morning, almost always stop
ping, no matter what their political faith, to
take little something to drink. Meantime the
ornate little fountain in the centre of the vast
space babbles contentedly in and out, and the
pictured heroes, from amidst their glory of flags
upon the walls, smile benignly upon the scene
Everything about the rotunda is representative
that is to say typical of something, even to the
unconcemed trout that roam fearlessly through
the limpid waters and over the shelly bottom of
this oft sought fountain The two large, plump
and plethoric ones are supposed to represent the
Republican party, and the lean 1.-THE and wiry
one which they so relentlessly pursue, their
Democratic opponent. To be sure the little fell
low has to dart, and dive and resort to all sorts
of tricks, even take new departures to escape
his would be captors, but eventually manages
| to swim unmolested and triumphant after all
| the vigorous exercise.
Leaving this attractive retreat the. distin-
guished gentlemen betake themselves to the
| confectioner stand in an adjoining hall and
invest a few eoppers in peanuts and candy;
! thence up the stairs or into the adjoining Off
ces, luxurious with;carpets and cushioned seats,
| to divest themselves of hats, caps and coats. In
an ante-room at the head of the stairs, they
find a small boy amply provided with paste-pot
| and paper, and if liberal or ambitious make it
point to stop and mail a few documents to
their admiring constituents and afterwards
saunter leisurely to their Seats, wherever they
may be. ~
+Oh " OloCh 10 tuO dppOluUco muir LUZ tut
commencement of all business, and Just prior
to that time the Representatives Hall presents
an animated scene The members glide unre-
STRANGELY over the scarlet and black tapestries
under foot, and collect in little groups discus
sing in tones of every shade 'from grave to
gay, from lively to severe, "the discussion Of yes
terday, or the business of to-day. Others
lounge upon the sofas, or sit composedly in.
their comfortable seats behind highly polished
desks, busily dissecting the freshest morning
news, or staring straight up at the crimson can
opy that gracefully depends at the rear of the
Speakers chair. Promptly at the hour Mr..
Robe puts in an appearance, erect of form and
pleasant of face, with a bran new overcoat and
hands neatly encased in mode colored kids,
grasping in his left digitals a shining, glossy
beaver, and in his right an immaculate pocket
handkerchief 1t may seem like sending ''coals
to Newcastle" to further describe Mr. Robie
but for the benefit of those who have never been
to Newcastle we submit that Mr. Robbie is
decidedly fine looking gentleman. Tall,
straight, robust, with dark brown hair and dark
full beard, worn closely trimmed high, full
forehead, pleasant gray eyes, and mouth that
has a constant habit of pickering itself into a
smile. Attentive to matters of dress without
being foppish, urbane and kindly in manners,
and somewhat moderate of speech and action.
Not man to be severe, but earnest and consci-
entious, and one to be liked rather than feared
The members called to order by three little
raps of the Speakers gavel, the divine blessing
invoked by the officiating clergyman, the SEN
ate papers disposed of, and then commences
tho Inns TI,.o TO- ind; f+o,
. another and puts in a petition for little aid
until one is quite in maze at the numerous
wants and wonders how in the world the State
is to help them ALL The petitions are no sooner
disposed of than up rises another lot of mem
bers and commence ordering. This invariably
stirs up the metal of the House, and as the la
dies have by this time ma deattractiye the heay1
lily pillared galleries and cosy arm-chairs upon
the floor of the House, with their bright beau
tiful presence, members have no hesitation in
airing their eloquence. 'The biggest man
amongst Them Familiarity known as "The cat
under the meal, generally sets the ball in mo-
ton, and stirs up the mice in a lively manner in
strict accordance with the couplet, t ~ ~
0aIa III y'When the cats away ls.se''t III
The mice will play
And being here they have to work. All this
may seem shockngly undignifed to you, Mr..
Press, but is nevertheless true. And improba-
Bile as it may seem, this cat is likely to become
more famous than the celebrated feline of the
late Lord Wilmington, being susceptible Of
sudden changes-a living example of the Me-
temsychosis speedy illustration of the Oar
winian theory. A cat in the meal yesterday
and dog to watch the treasury to-day, but
what form in the animal kingdom it will as
sumo tomorrow we are quite unable to say
From some observation and study based upon
the constant rising in that section of the House,
we have come to the conclusion that it is only
little leaven after all "wherewith to leaven the
whole lump" il -z4ts.75 .-.r- f.4s8 ~
Further descriptions of this honorable assem-
blage and of their 'ways and means we shall
attempt in forthcoming epistles PERcIE.
"Watch the Legislature."
Under this heading the Portland Press warns
the citizens of the State, to keep watch and ov-
er the members of the Fifty-frst Legislature.
If the Press scents a faint in the atmosphere of
the Capital it is doing the State an invaluable
service to sound the note of alarm. When
great interests are at stake when strong pas
sions are excited, when men, determined to
hold on to power privileges unfairly gained,
obtain grants from the State that justice and /
equity demand should be Withheld; unfortunate
ly we have proof positive, that such men hest
tate not in resorting to intrigue, corruption,
and bribery. Men like Fisk and Tweed can,
contrary to their general character, tell the
truth when they boast of carrying Legislature
in their pockets, SO long as they can find repre-
sentatves of the Winans stamp. Fortunately for