Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-01-03
MEETING OF THE LEGISLATURE

The Fifty-frst Legislature of the State
of. Maine commences its session to-day.
No unusual interest at its gathering APP
pears upon the surface. The friendly RI
valry for the offices connected with the
organization creates the only perceptible
stir. This will be amicably settled, while
whoever succeeds or fails the State is GER
tain, from the known character of the con-
testants, to be well served.
Yet, although the opening of the ses-
sion is tranquil, all the great interests of
the State are in the hands of the Legisla-
ture, and will be affected for better or for
worse by its action touching them. For
tunately we are not in the condition of the
New York Legislature, which assembled
yesterday. That body finds itself obliged
to deal with the most astonishing instance
of municipal corruption on record. One
of its members elect is the king of the
Tammany thieves. One of its first acts
must be to close the door of the Senate
against him. The public would flame
with indignation were such giant among
public robbers to be permitted seat
with lawmakers. 1t would be mock
cry too glaring even for New York. Hav-
ing purged itself of the corruption fast
ened upon it by repeaters and ballot-box
suffers, the work Of publication has only
begun.
1t is fortunate, we say, for the Maine
Legislature that it has no such task before
it as that in New York. No member is
afraid to look another in the face, or present
his record for the scrutiny of the public
There is no impeachment 10 proceeding at
once to the usual and legitimate labor of
the session. OF this there will doubtless
be sufficient to make the session of aver
age length. 1t is seldom that work fails
though business be expedited as much as
possible The last days of the session are
the busiest always. Time is required to
develope. organize, arrange, and present
it, and members oftener have to look back
with regret upon hasty Hesitation than up
on sessions waslefully aud njuriously
spun out.
lit is probable that the chief interest of
the term will centre upon railroad mat
tiers. East and west there are projects
demanding attention. They are of such
character that they cannot fail to create
considerable thought and perhaps feeling
l.. e. aln,- he t,., ri
each will press them with every argu-
ment and appeal that may be considered
effective, and interested opponents will
oppose them with equal energy and zeal.
1t has even been rumored, but we doubt
If the report can be traced to any reputa-
BILE source, that the mercenary means en-
ployed in New York 10 influence railroad
legislation in that State will be tried here
We are no believer in the infallibiity Of
men, but we trust that our legislature is
of such a character that fair and honora-
BILE measures will be most successful with
it, and that attempts to influence members
improperly would meet with the expos
ure, condemnation, and punishment
which they deserve, come they from
whatever source they may. While men,
bers have an undoubted right to advocate
their local aud pet schemes, it is
the duty of the body in consider
ing sub matters to decide them
upon the broad ground Of what is right