The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1874-01-31
A POrtlandess in Augusta.


Early one dark, rainy morning, last week,
we-meaning myself tall, angular sister in
green spectacles, and Solomon, remarkable
alike for his wisdom, the sumptuous gorgeous
ness of his apparel, and certain devotion-to
the fair sex showing itself in this instance.
by uncomplainingly carrying my note book,
rubbers, and umbrella-well-we, the aforesaid
left the natural port and proceeded by rail
to Augusta. Our avowed object Editors
and Publishers Convention which Solo
mon was to attend in all his glory. The Gov
errors Reception at the Augusta House pro-
posed to adorn.
Arriving at Augusta, we proceeded to the
State House, directly up the long imposing
flight of steps, up winding stairs, into the Rep
reseL tatives Hall, took retired seat in a corner
behind six young ladies in spotted walls, settled
ourselves comfortably and proceeded to be en-
tertained
1t was the morning hour, expressly devoted
to briskly reading and handing in orders after
the following fashion,-a member rises and
shouts, "Mr Speakerp' Mr. Speaker pounces
on him and announces 'The gentleman from
Portland" The gentleman from Portland roars
81 have an or-dahr' The Speaker hits him
again, SO to speak, and shouts, "The gentleman
from Portland will read his or-dahr' and SO on,
in rapid succession, gentlemen from all parts
of the State relieving their mi nds by reading
an order.
''Mr. Solomon" ! remarked to the solemn
young man at my elbow,-who knows every
thing-"How does he manage to recognize
everybody SO quickly?"
ya cir orIy nf osoks &c
IDEAS" replied that wise young man. "Observe
the::gentleman from Bunkertown who is read
ing his little order He wears a blue shirt
While he is vociferating "Mr Speaker,"-Mr
Speaker is rapidly thinking-"Blue shrt-B
stands for blue-B stands for-''The gentleman
from Bunkertown." Now if the gentfeman
shonld change his shirt the Speaker would be
entirely at fault" "But," continued he. see
ing me look sad at the thought of the eloquent
Speaker being suddenly checked in his rapid
career, and dashed violently over the head of
his own imagination, there is no particular
danger of any such contingency arising during
the present session"
While sit pibbling nay pencil, and mildly
medtating upon the wonderful grasp of the
male intellect, which can thus overcome diff
CulJleS, d Hdppy iuca ocizeS Luc-Wulcu L SuS-
gest for the benefit of Mr.. Speaker. If the
gentleman should happen to change his shirt,
B will still stand for Billed shirt.
The gentleman from Somewhere, presented
an order for the Committee on Agriculture to
enquire into the expediency of law to prot ect
sheep from destruction by dogs, but the hard
hearted Committee presently reported that
they considered legislation inexpedient in regard
to increasing taxation on dogs, and althoughmy
sympathy is strongly with the innocent sheep
10 the controversy, much fear the dogs will
carry the day with this Legislature, and we
must look to future statesmen to protect onr
mutton.
The gentleman from Gorham, offered an or.
der looking to the forfeiture of the Cumber-
land and Oxford Canal, on which 1 look with
great favor if it is to be kept as stagnant
ditch, as it has been for year or two past;
though L should cheerfully vote for its contin-
uance forever if it can be kept full and its
former romantic beauty flash upon us at every
turn as we drive along the shady country
roads.
An acute and legal-ooking gentleman want
cd the House to reconsider bill legaIizing the
doings of Van Buren, plantation for 1873. and
read a letter from some one in Lyndon who
wished to be heard on the matter.
At the first mention of Van Buren, the gen.
tleman from that ilk, fiery little Frenchman,
started I'D and made himself ready to pounce
upon him, which he presently did, to the ap-
parent delight of the members generally, and