The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1873-09-10
State Politics.

Now that the returns have indicated the
general result in the State pretty clearly, con-
lectures begin to be made respecting tfe or
ganization of the Legislature and the choice
of State officers The Republican majority
in the House is somewhat diminished but is
still overwhelmingly great, and there may be
one or 70 Democrats in the Senate Among
the prominent members elect to the Senate
are Messrs. Burgess of this city, Butler of
Biddeford, Webb of Watervile, Emery of
Ellsworth, and Palmer OF Bangor, while in
the House are the reelected members from
this city, Williams and North of Augusta,
Hatch and Wilson of Bangor, Corthell of Cal
ans, Leavitt of Passport, and Wentworth of
Kittery. More complete returns will I'M
doubtedly show some additional well known
names of men who will be largely influential
in directing the legislation of the session, and
to whom we shall have occasion to refer here
after.
The first matter which will come to the at
tention of members will be the choice of off
GERS of the two branches. For the Presiden
cy OF the Senate several candidates are men,
toned. Henry II. Burgess, John E. Butler
and E. T. Webb are most prominent. Mr..
Burgess is a gentleman of high character and
standing, both in business and public life He
has been two years in the House and one in
the Senate He has always occupied a good
position at Augusta, and is popular among
his as ociates. Mr.. Butler was in the Senate
last winter, and has just been returned by an
unprecedentedly large majority
leading his ticket throughout the county. He
is a man of power and makes himself felt in
all matters with which he is connected. He
was very influential last winter, and goes back
this year with the prestige of a great victory
such as has never before been known in York
county. Mr.. Webb was Speakercf the House
last winter and achieved marked success i'll
that capacity. Although this is his first year
the House and his general reputation outside
lead to mention of him as prominent candi-
date for the Presidency. Either of these gen.
tlemen is abundantly qualified in capacity,
culture and experience for the duties of the
position.
In the House the number of candidates for
the Speakership is somewhat diminished by
the defeat at the polls of Mathews of Hamp
den, and Mortland of Rockland, both strong
men, and the former very prominent candi-
date. Thomas of this city is much talked of
for the place. He made an excellent impress
sion at Augusta last winter, and starts in the
race for the chair with good prospects of sue
cess. Knowlton of Skowhegan, whose cleo
ton seems settled despite the contradictory
reports, will be prominent candidate. Cor
thell of Calais, from the extreme East, has
also an ambition in this direction. These
three gentlemen were all members of the last
Legislature, and are, severally, entirely suita-
be for the Office to which they aspire. J. q.
Williams of Augusta, and F. A. Wilson of
Bangor, who were not members of the last
Legislature, are mentioned in connection with
the place.
The contest for the minor offices of the
Senate and House are hardly defined with suf-
ficienf distinction to permit comment. OF
State officers the selection Of Treasurer
promises some interest. Frederick Robbie of
Gorham, S. c. Hatch of Bangor, and Joseph
A. Sanborn of Readfeld, may be counted
among the candidates, and several others are
likely to be in the field. But of all these
things we shall discourse more fully herea1-
ter