The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1873-03-03
The Late Legislature.

The Fifty-Second Legislature has ceased
and its record has cone to the people The
members have pocketed their many bladed
penknives, packed their stationery in their
trunks, taken their Revised Statutes under
their arms and have used their half-fare tick
cts for the last time (all who were not consid-
cred worth pass) in returning to their fire.
sides, where they will delight their children
and grandchildren through the long years of
the future with tales Of what they did ''when
was in the Legislature" 1t has been on
the whole an emineLty respectable body.
There was a noticeable absence Of men who
have made high reputation in other official
position, but there was high average of
sterling good sense, honesty and rechtude of
purpose. If any jobs found favor at Augusta,
1t was from Misrepresentation, rather than cor
ruption. aa HNf ll5ts H
The prevailing tone ofthe body was perhaps
open to the criticism Of a tendency toward
conservatism, and an extra carefulness in
scrutinszing proposed reformat6fy and pro-
eressive movements. Some admirable meas
ures were lost from this cause, but on the
whole, We may call it an error in the right
direction, and the High School, Industrial
Statistics y ail Reform and Girls Industrial
School Acts may represent as much progress
as we ought reasonably to expect of one Leg
islature. - l'2 a. ll.t. -
The session has been q notably peaceful
one, exhibiting very few personal collisions
and developing very little bitterness in any
case. There were some lively rencontres be-
tween members of the railroad lobby, which
infested Augusta fol the entire session, but
as there was no well grounded hope of their
mutual determination, but little attention
was attracted by their quarrels.
The season socially was unusually brilliant.
- many members brought their families, and
there was a lively succession of parties, So
eiables, dances and enjoyable little impromptu
gatherings at the Augusta House which adj
oed essentially to the entente cordiate of the
session. Among the ladies who spent the
wner or part of it at Augusta may be men
TONED Mrs. Loring and Mrs. Dow of this CITY.
Mrs. Senator O'Brion of Cornish, Mrs. Wood.
Miss Wood. Miss Lottie Wood, Mrs. Foster,
Mr. Esery and Miss Egery of Bangor, Mrs.
Rounds OF Minot, Mrs. Webb of Watervil.e,
Mrs. Palmer of Orono, Mrs. Governor Perhasn
aud daughters. i''ai-
Although. as we have remarked, there
were but few men of great general reputation,
this session has developed remarkably large
number of coming men, and has afforded
neld on which have been displayed those pow
ers which will ensure to their Dsssessors future
prominence and advancement The presid-
Ing officers in both branches have won many
ianrelS and are the just subjects OF common
dation On all hands. President Foster was
well known before, and Speaker Webb has
added greatly to the reputation won ON the
floor in the preceding Legislature and has
fully confirmed the opinion that he is one of
the strongest men in the State, giving assured
promise of future distinction. OF the new
men In the House our own members, Thom-
as AID Lorng, made decidedly favorable i'm
preston. Bisbee of Buckfeld, surprised
everybody by his power and vigor; he is
ready and forcible debater, man of positive
convictions and had great influence in shap-
ing the policy of the House. Mort'and CT
hoeAisnd, Corthell of Calais, and Mathews
Vi hianipden acquired prominence, especially
AZ 'ne aeoates' and are well spoken o.. Whit
COMB OF Ellsworth is "a square. leyeI-beaded
yourg man." as ole of his fellow members
c'iieo hiih' IL Is much to be regretted that
i'll health prevented Clifford of v.ss,,,o.o
from taking the influential part in the lecis.
lative proceedings of the winter for wb;c,, H..
distinguished ability and varied accomn,;sh-
ments S abundantly fit him. To KnowIton
OF Skowhegan, if to any one, may fairly be
conceded the position of ''eader of the house"
dis directness, force, and evident sincerity
Aoa honesty gave him great weight. Dingley
Oh Lewiston, is too thoroughly well known to
'he people OF Maine to need description. He
eouid not be In association with any BODY of
men without Expressing himself strongly I'M n
AL their deliberations. We cannot nrona,,,,
place him among the new men, for hi, binh
character. srea' sblty and MANY a m;raf,a
qualities have long been familiar to all onr c;t;,
gems. -.-e-
Ofccurse there are many prognostics as to
the Speakership of the next House. Thomas