Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-01-01

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Dee. 80, 1872. STATE Temperance Committee.
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MEETING OF TIE LEGISLATURE.
The Tifty-Second Legislature of the
State of Maine will commence its session
to-day. In spite of snow and cold the
ranks will be as full as usual at the Or
ganization. The House has its full com
plement Of members regularly elected,
but in the Senate one seat is in doubt.
Politically the republican preponderance
was never greater than at present. In
the Senate a fair proportion Of the men,
bers have had Legislative experience, but
in. the House there is larger number
than usual of new members. There Is no
special excitement over the election of
officers, and the organization will be
quickly despatched. with the utmost har-
inony.
The prospect is that the session will be
a. busy one and of the average length.
Questions of importance In relation to
railroads, divisions of counties, education,
insurance and many other matters ofpub-
lie interest are already advertised 10 take
up the attention of the legislature; while
of subjects not so publicly announced or
that will develop as the session goes on
there viii be no lack unless this is an ex-
ception to other legislatures. The polit-
zeal calm following the Presidential cleo
ton will predispoge MI minds to let poll
tics slide, SO that business, the purely
practical wants of the State, will engross
the entire time of the session, and be dis
cussed and decided with little reference to
party afairs. For this practical work the
Legislature appears in its composition to
be admirably adapted A very large pro-
portion of.the members are practical bust
aess men, whose Judgment will be sound,
reliable. and valuable upon all business
questions, though perhaps deficient in leg
islative experience and the gifts of speech
making. The heat of the campaign in
September and the desire to roll up as
large vote rs possible suggested the
nomination Of popular and strong men on
the representative and senatorial tickets.
and hence we see more of that class in the
Legislature
1t is q source of satisfaction that the
Legislature meets under auspices fayora-
BILE to the growth and prosperity of the
State, and with an administration CON-
handing the respect of all the people.
Since the first Inauguration of Governor
Perham two years ago there has been
great improvement in our circumstances.
Then we were looking back at q decade
in which our population had remained
nearly stationary. Throughout the State
there was feeling that it was q poor place
to live in. Farmers were discouraged by
their sons and daughters leaving the old
homesteads to find employment elsewhere.
and by the feeble prospect of market for
lands or crops. Shipbuilding was fat, the
workmen scattered, they yards desolate, the
owners ready to abandon the field and mi
CRATE. Our manufacturing enterprises were
small and few, and the advantages of the
State both in It's natural features and the
inducements Of liberal aid were disregard
ed. Now by the immigration on our
northern border. by the incoming of work
men and manufacturers from abroad to
carry on new industries, and by the OPP
portunities afforded for labor to our own
people, our population is increasing and
will show fair gain at the next census.
There is different spirit animating all
classes. We have a lively hope of pros
perity. The young men are content to
make their homes here. The capitalist is
willing to invest in local enterprises.
of various kinds are spring
ing up on all sides. The axe is again
ringing in our shipyards with the vigor of
past days and the promise of better ones.
New railroads have been opened to bust
ness, while the old lines have been in
creased in their capacity and accommo-
dations so tina; our facilities for travelling
are equal to those of States more popu.
Ious and richer than this The State feels
u new impulse in every vein aud artery of
business. Our quarries Of granite, lime
stone and glate arc opening up large aud
profitable employment, while our rivers
are being made to serve the purpose Of
useful industries, that will make the val
leys alive with prosperous villages and
cities. There is no stain upon the honor
of our State occasioned by corrupt legis-
lation or corrupt officials. Governor Per-
ham enters upon his third term with the
hearty goodwill Of the people, approved
by his acts as an honest able, industrious,
prudent, faithful magistrate His admin
have been successful. And so
IN this first day Of the New Year, this
Of 1873, the new legisla-
ure at It's coming together has no I'M
pleasant task or prospect to contemplate,
10 corrupt or inefficient administration to
leal with, but prosperous State 10 care
ar. and an efficient and honest executive
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