The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1873-01-14

To those who overlook the fact that the
perpetuation of the dominant party involves
the safety and prosperity of the country, Mr.
Conkling may have appeared to more advan-
tage as a skllful politician than as broad
and comprehensive statesman. The truth IS,
the exigences of the times have forced him
into political leadership, and that he has no
taste for it. His forte lies i'll a thorough mas,
terry of public affairs, and the nation will
now have an opportunity to see with what
breadth of information and clearness OF IN
sight he will deal with the great practic''
questions of the legislation which are 70
gross the attention of Congress lie i-''' "-'
extraordinary memory, great ie"ine' ''t
usual fuency of speech, ana al ''1e s'"oe' vi
oratory. Above all, he possos'os VIC hhest
sansibilities and rectltude OF principle
which no temptation can swerve. No one
will evor find him interested directly or indi-
rectly in any corporation, concerning whose
interest, he may possibly be called upon to
vote, or acting as counse. in any claim pend
ing before Congress. In this respect he is
model OF propriety. No public man of our
times is endowed with higher sense of honor,
Or acts up to the responsibilities of his trust,
with more scrupulous delicacy. Surely, New
York with her unpleasant memories of the
shortcomings of some OF her Representatives
has every reason to be proud Of the gifted and
-incorrruptible Senator she is about to re-elect.
| The verdict in the Stokes case was all the
! more satisfactory to law-abiding citizens, for
the reason that it was unexpected. The in
genious theory of self-defence was deemed
sufficiently plausiblesto lead to a disagree
ment of the jury. But it was overdone.-
There was too much testimony OH that point,
and it was not of a convincing nature. Stokes
made very bad impression on court, jury
and spectators. There was a swagger in his
carriage and an affectation of non-chalance
in his tone that grated harshly on the ears OF
his listeners. His whole mann-r during the
trial was calculated to deprive him OF sympa'
thy. When to these unfortunate crcum; tan
ces is added the fact that public sentiment
has been wrought up to high pitch. of indig-
and impunity with which murders have been
perpetrated, we have an explanation of the
result. Every conceivable effort will be made
to save him from the galows, but the chance
are terribly against h m.
Mr.. Controller Green is having trouble will
q refractory official in the person OF MI
Chamberlain Palmer. The whole controver
sy hinged originally on the point whether thu
Chamberlain shall add the interest on the cit
deposits to the principal, or whether he shall
keep it as separate fund. In either case tn
result to the treasury would be the same
But the disagreement has taken another form
now, and involves the question of which off
cial has a right to appoint the Deputy Cham
berlain. The law is equally explcit,or inexpliC
minable litigation, unless compromise is ct
, fected. Perhaps ithas been by inadvertence
possibly by design, but whether or no, grea
many of our laws are so equivocaly frame
that they are susceptible of Numerically OF
posite. Interpretations "a good thing for lawy n
, but very unlucky for the tax payers.
e The new city charter is before the Legisls
/, ture and is expected to have early considers
, ton. In the main it is good one and will
!, if enacted, r lieve our community from man
i of its burdens. 1t cuts down salaries, doc
away with plural Office holding, and provide
e for complete change in the personnel Of til
: city government with the exception of thos
incumbents who came in under reform ausp
ces, or at least after the downfall of the Rim
t The newly appointed Corporation Counsel
, saved by it, but probably if he had not bee
we should have witnessed the unpleasar
spectacle which vexed our sight last white
of heads of de Dartment assaulting the Stat
t capital, to receive retention of Office
were better to surrender one item of the pa
|, ronage of the Mayors Office, than to inct
this hazard. YARMOUTH.