The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1873-02-20
An, Amazed Englishman.
THE BASIS FOR A NEW EDITION OF AAERI-
CAN NOTES. ..s 81 -
PORTLAND. Feb. Is. 49,

PORTLAND, Feb. Is, 1873.
. To the Editor or e1se-Press -., ~. .-...-.l
SIR,-I am an English subject. For a few, I
weeks past have been visitor III your beau
tiful city. Last Thursday booked myself
at the ticket Office of your railway station for
the capital of the State. desired to observe
the workings of the government in one of
your free and independent commonwealth.
Surprising that democracy was to be seen at
its best, went as philesophc observer of
republican legislation. Ihave just recovered
from my surprise sufficiently to hold my pen.
was never so completely knocked up by any
previous experience of my whole life. The
members began to assemble directly reach
ed the capitol. The most surprising informal
lily and absolute indecorum characterized the
preliminary proceedings. 1t was evidently
the first day of the session. Spectators,
members and ladies were mingled together in
inextricable confusion. All seemed to be in
high good humor, laughing and chatting as if
they had come to see comedy. presently
observed that the standard of morals was as
low in your Law making assembly as the STAN
dard Of decorum. Seeing the general want
OF ceremony slipped in with the committee
appointed to count votes for Speaker. was
aghast with amazement when saw that not
the smallest attention was paid to the ballots,
some of which, by the way, were put in by
the ladies, but that j. W. Porter was arbitra-
rily substituted in the report of the commit
tee for the gentleman really chosen. All that
I had ever read of the corruption of Ameri-
can politicians had not prepared me for such
an exhibition as this. have no doubt that
the whole committee was bribed Indeed,
the Speaker seemed to be man of the worst
stamp, and you may judge of his selfishness
and want of principle when tell you that
he openly and shamelessly asked the House
to charge any errors of his to the account of
the clerk. And instead of the horror and
| disgust which expected to see imprinted on
every brow, saw nothing but delighted ap-
probation! heard one of your citizens ex-
claim. ST expect Mr.. Porter is one of our
rrisin' men," His very wickedness commend
ed him to his fellow citizens! Had it not
been for one dignifed gentleman who bore
the message announcing the organization of
the House to the Senate, should have ex-
pected to see the earth open and swallow US
all together. He seemed grave, thought
full man, and no doubt was secretly mourn
ing the degeneracy Of. his countrymen. ]
was told that he not only represents
his town here but your borough in Con
| gress. l do not much wonder that
| such men, being extremely rare, are obliged
to do double duty in this country. The next
proceeding Frustrated me. The gentleman
whose duty it was to announce the organiza-
ton of the House to the Governor, reported
that he found the chair of that functionary
vacant Thereupon it was moved and car
ried without dissent that new Governor be
elected, and it was done forthwith! Gould
there be a more appalling example OF the in.
stability of republican government? Could
.ne De stronger argument in favor OF q
3 nn 70 those well established principles Of
eHnent which have so long given peace
~ se'ufi'y to the British islands? But the
e ~ ~ .:' OF popular government was
f " W uis'iosed IN other and still moro st.rt.
ing ways. 70 say that the cond,,s. 80 -. .
. newly CHOSEN executive, was undignifed
would be to do him but scant iustioa :: nlieo
Jriootous IN the extreme. He waltzed =, ~ ~,
a dancing master, small, 1.-THE. bald -be,daa
man, who, as gathered, was vulgarly know
as Timothy, the Evangelist" He, too, hat