The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1873-08-26
legislative Candidates.

It is well known that the character of
the Legislature of1S75 will practically be de-
termined by the ca1cuses and conventions of
tie next Ten days. 1t is. therefore, of the ut
most importance that the people look well to
the nominations in theiI respective localities,
If they really desire TO have Legislature
that will be creditable to the State. With rare
individual exceptions, our Maine Legislatures
have been above reproach. Perhaps this may
by due to the fact that they have not been
so tempted by powerful corporations as those
in some other States, but we rather believe
it is because our people have more positive
convictions respecting the chara tier of their
Lawmakers than prevail in some other States
and would shelve the man who betrayed
their interests.
Just now, when the antagonisms of rail-
road corporations so largely engage the atten-
ton of our Legislatures-when the third
branch with its able advocates and skiiul
whippers-in have become as much of an in
stituton as the Lee slatu:e itself, sometimes
in its aggressive character, so confusing the
represent alive who is removed from his con-
oUlluiuCnb- bidI HC iOiSCto gudb tuSIC 10
other interest in Maine than these contending
mopsters-it is of the utmost importance that
clear-headed, high-minded and intelligent
men be sent to Augusta.
1t should be remembered that the next
Legislature is promised railroad contest of
such proportions and ferceness as never be-
fore occurred in Maine. Consequently there
will be the most powerwful and agg e,sive
lobby that ever encamped about a Maine Leg
isatuie. All the influence that money can
purchase will be broue bit to bear. 1t is hard
ly possible that any interest will mistake the
Legislature of 1874 tor the shambles and at
tempt to purchase the representative of the
people as they would sheep. We have vastly
more to fear from persuasion and fiaJtery,
from promises OF personal consideration that
would not cause the ordinary man 10 see that
all tbs was an ssault upon his integrity, and
above all from a species Of traffic in votes
which the willy manipulators are able to bring
about.
For instance, Mr.. A. desires to secure some
measure well enough in itself which he could
obtain by fair presentation. He falls into
the hands of the manipulation and before he
is aware of it Lis vo tie for this or that side is
secured by the promise of aid to his own
measure. Espec tally do schemes of doubtful
character enter into combinations with the
LOBBY and by ''dickering' entail upon the
State hurtful legislation.
In view of these things, no amiable, weak.
ture-no man who has special interest to
look after that does not commend itself on its
own merits, and above all no man, who under
the pressure of the lobbyist and in the excite
ment of the hour, shall for moment forget
that his first duty is to see thai the highest
interests ofthe six hundred thousand people
of Maine are not put in jeopardy.
Too much of tle time of our legislatures
is engrossed with special matters and too
Ii tie devoted to the questions that affect the
whole yeople. In this respect there is great
need of reform, and to secure this we must
have men of patriotism lit is good word),
and purpose who are fully alive to the public
interest. and take broad and intelligent views
OF such questions as affect the interest, pre-
sent and future, Of the whole State.
In Pennsylvania, men elected to the egisla-
ture have so far forgotten their duty to the
State and have so far become the hirelings of
corporations, that the constitutional conven-
ton proposes to offer an amendment to the
effect that every member of the legislative de-
partment shall. at the close of the session,
subscribe to an oath that he has not taken
a bride directly or indirectly while member
OF the legislature. We trust that the time
Will never come when such measure will be
needed in Maine. To avoid any such danger,
intelligent and high minded men must be sent
to our legislatures.