The Portland daily press., 1873-01-23
Letter from Augustn.
AUGUSTA, Jan. %, 1873.
A SENSATION.

density.
Letter from Augustn.
AUGUSTA, Jan. %, 1873.
A SENSATION.
Mr.. EditOr:-The sensation of the week in
this hamlet was the coming of 'Percie" Tues
day night. Fifteen members boarding at the
Augusta House changed their shirts and
were nj ely shaved in the shortest practicable
time aftef her arrival was known. They
didn't know but she might spy them 1oung-
ing about the parlors, and "take' them un-
awares. But the effect of her supposed pres
ence at the capitol next morning was truly
painful Every member sat enchaned by
that dreadful rigdity, that overwhelming
self-consciousness which seizes mankind
when about to be photographed Every one,
did say? Not quite so-for the mercurial
little Acadian they call Reagan and "Phatfa-
cia stupenda'' Randall, as Edmund Lear
would say, and Walker of Brighton, preserv-
ed their imperturbability. Every other man
put on lackadaisical smile, in Difference to
the fair limner's supposed partiality to good
natured men; every other man sat upright
and looked Knowing" in the hope that he
might yet send his wife and little ones at
home paper in which the name of the hus-
band and father would be coupled with the
adjective ''intelligent-looking;; every other
man tried his best to look handsome. all but
Rounds of Minot, lucky dog! who was not
obliged to put himself to that trouble. And
even t.f,-,.-,-. ..-- -t
WALKER OF BRIGHTON
forgot his battle cry, ''postage stamps or
deathr' And 1 must stop here to say that
''Percie" cannot do better while she is fresh
than to edo" Peter Walker, Esq, member
from Brighton, who within the last week has
risen from comparative obscurity to meridian
splendor of fame and influence. P. W. is a
Democrat, and is a most vigorous supporter
of the great Democratic doctrine, now well
nigh crushed out by Radical tyranny and
centralization, that every member is en-
titled to ten dollars worth of postage
stamps. When his demands for post
age stamps are. ruled out of order
by that minion of Black Republican despot-
ism, the Speaker, the unmoved Walker ap-
peals from the decision, and towers proudly
alone in the dread arbitrament of standing
vote. Mr.. Editor, 1 sing of Walker-Walker
of Brighton-the smooth-shaven Walker,
the persevering, the familiar, the pachyder-
matious Walker, whose heroic motto shall
ever be ''Tll have 'em yetp' s.
PROMISING YOUNG MEN.
In looking over the House from the gallery
to see who Percie's Hrst subjects would prob
ably be, my eye fell on number of young
men who must necessarily figure largely in
current legislative history. There is Corthell
of Calais, man who made county supervis-
ion respectable. His high forehead and par
TALLY bald head remind one of the antique
heads OF Pericles. A man who likes to
''sprawP around in ungraceful postures, and
who is content to pass for what he is, rather
than for what he seems. Among the influ-
ential members of the House he occupies
high rank. 1t is great pity that his being
member of the Legislature will incapacitate
him to hold the Office of School Commission.
er under the act now on its passage.
Then there is Whitcomb of Ellsworth, one
VI oiAO OOob PloCoiCdl lCEIoldtOlo III OuC IlOuSes
He does not care to make himself conspicu-
Gus, but exerts wide influence and believes
in transacting business with as much rapidity
and as little attention to mere conventional
formalities as may be.
Knowlton of Skowhegan, is man whom
you would have no hesitation in pronouncino
cold-blooded on first acquaintance, but the
impression would certainly be removed bv
more intimate knowledge of his character.
He has the most unrelenting face to be seen
in the House. One would not like to be in
the prisoners box with him on the bench.
But the best men have the greatest respect
for him. and would confde their most import
ant interests to him without the smallest hes
itation. And notice that tire are large
number of members of the House looking to
see which way he votes. He ought to pos
sess both ubiquity and omniscience, for he
has place on the Judiciary, the Railroad and
the Education Committees.
Reed of Waldoboro, mas a face of a very
different stamp-a face of exquisite refine |
ment ''Blue blood' in this young gentle |
man seems to be an innocuous and rather |
fluid. Everybody speaks well of |
the young man, as they ought.
Weeks of Augusta, has taken prominent
part in the deliberations of the House from
the first. He is new member, but goes at
things with all the GOODNESS of an ''old mou-
stache." As a practical legislator he will
have few superiors in the body of which he is
4 member.
Mathews Of Hampden, is another new
member, who at once made his influence felt
n the House. He is gentleman of prepos-
essng appearance, and is one of the few
members of the present House who can talk,
necessary.
RECOVERED.
Among the persons who come daily at the
tate House one is glad to see A. B. Farwell,
So, SO happily restored to health and vigor.
lie is supposed to be the author OF two very
orcible communications on the subject OF
'Ssmgs ~, banks, which recently appeared in
'ie hennebec Journal.
hEPoRTER OF DECISIONS.
,,oot os ~ pon'ihent yet and not so much pros
~ o apparently as there was a week
ago Ierhaps it will prove to ba !, cb.noerv
suit' all the parties to which die hoeoro - -
decided. The Governor could be ,,"ro :. :,
either OF the suitors if the other doo., "i'A
ers were gone. But they all s.sticlS ~ 'nari''-
THE WAR HAS BEGUN.
The subject of uniformity of text hooLs
will again be the occasion of fierce conflict
Mr. Corthell of Calais, having introduced his