The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1874-12-23
The Legislature.
The Approaching sessien-The OrEaniza-
tion-The State Omcers, etc.

The Approaching Session-The OrRaniza-
tion-The State Omcers, etc.
AUGUSTA, Dec. %, 1874.
To the Editor Of the Press:
AS the time of the meeting Of the Fifty
fourth Legislature of the state approaches,
there is naturally some interest respecting its
| probable action. The parties most interested
| are the candidates for its favors, and the
| members themselves who anticipate q great
| many pleasures they will not realize. The
new member has The brightest anticipations,
particularly IL he has never been about the
general court He has already furnished Mr..
Owen of the Kennebec Journal, with his auto
biography, which will appear, revised and pos
sibly condensed by the reviewer. There is
something solemn about this matter, since
many biography may be a kind of political
obituary. The new member has also cores
ponded with boarding house proprietors and has
had to write lots of letters to such gentlemen
as are anxious to serve the state. There will
doubtless be crowd in town the first ten days,
after which, if the senatorial affair is COM
pleted as per programme, the session will be
quiet even to dullness. cannot learn that there
/ is even an investigation mooted. No ole can
tell what will happen in this line; but the state
| prison investigation of the last session was SO
much of petard affair for the Democracy that
4 its leaders have not yet regained their appe-
tite for Investigations
ORGANIZATION.
Both branches of the Legislature will organ
ize without delay or friction. Hon. E. +. Webb
of Waterville, will be nominated for President
of the Senate by acclamation, Capt. Samuel
w. Lane, the model Secretary of that body for
several years. will be reelected, and Mr.. Dan
forth will be the assistant. Mr.. Banks of
Freerort, will again be Messenger. The fact is,
a "one armed" soldier is an ugly fellow to fight
when he is good officer. For the subordinate
places there will be the usual "scrub race" It
is a run for luck.
Hon. w. W. Thomas, Jr., Of your city, pre-
sided over the House last year with such con-
spicuous ability, that no one, however ambi-
tious, will offer to contest his nomination by
acclamation for Speaker. Frank Wilson would
make an excellent Speaker, but he has declined
l to be considered candidate on any considera-
i tion. S. j. Chadbourne of Dixmont, has been
the Clerk so long that House paper would be
suspected which did not bear his name as the
attesting officer. Mr.. Chadbourne is an excel
lent officer and carries dozen sessions history
in his head Mr.. Aromandel Smith of Litch-
field, will of course be chosen assistant. James
b. Walker of Turner. it is said, will be chosen
Messenger. "Uncle Walker can run the
House and the old members don't forget ii. In
passing, your correspondent may be permitted
to add that he is candidate for Third Assis-
tant Messenger with good prospects of success.
"Leastwise" he has received letters pledging
ten Representatives to his support, and sort Of
conditional promises from thirty-one Others.
He also claims number of unmarked logs" !"
He hasn't yet declared on the senatorial gues-
ton, which will help him not little. There is
nothing like the "Joey Bagstock" in these mat
ters.
STATE OFFICERS.
Hon. s. g. Hatch will have no competitor for
State Treasurer. He has proved faithful
officer and well deserves reelection. The
nomination, as is customary, will not be made
until after the examination of the Department
by the Finance Committee.
For Secretary of State there are two candi-
dates, Hon. George G. Stacy, the present in
cumbent, and Major A. H. S. Davis of the
Pennington Chronicle. Either will make
good officer. Mr.. Stacy claims the usage of his
two predecessors. Messrs. Flint and Drew, who
had four years each. Mr.. Stacy has had but
three. Mr.. Davis claims recognition for good
service. Comment as to chances would be un-
Just in this case.
Some eeks since ID appeared that Gen. u.
B. Murray, Jr., would be nominated for Adju-
tant General by acclamation. 1t is generally
conceded that a soldier of the late war should
occupy this Office, and the fact that there have
been no competitors for so long period,
goes to show that the "boys" don't seek public
places. Recently, however, the friends of Gen.
w. X. Kimball of Paris, have announced his
name and declare that they mean business. IL
is mooted that other candidates will be an
nounced.
Gen. II. NJ. Plasted will be re elected Attor-
ney General without opposition.
The Legislature not being able to anul the
state constitution.its recent action in abolishng
the Office of Land Agent will not hold water,
consequently one will have to be elected Mr..
P. P. Burleigh is again a candidate. He is a
good officer and has the confidence of all par
ties who have intended to deal squarely with
that department.. He is denounced only by
those who have desired to get the best end of
trade with the state, 1t is limited that Hon. L.
G. Dow1es, now of the Executive Council, will
be candidate for the Office.
THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
Hon. j. NJ. Mason of Limerick, will be re-
elected from the First District. In the Cum
berland District, Hon. f. N. Dow is spoken Of
for reelection. Despite the assaults of his
foes, he has been a faithful official. The only
other names have heard mentioned IN con-
nection with the position are those of John Z.
Warren, Esq, of Westbrook, and Luther Bill.
ings of Bridgton. There is less talk about the
Cumberland District than any other. Hon.
William Grindle of Hancock, will be reelected
from the Third District. Hon. Stephen ID.
Lindsay of Norridgewock, can represent again
the Fourth District if he desires. Mr.. Files of
Waldo county, will give place to a gentleman
from Knox county. Col. John s. Case of
Rockland, is said to be the man. 1t would be
difficult to find a better DIR. Thompson of
Pscataquis, will give place in the Sixth Dis
trict to a member from Penobscot. Among
the gentlemen favorably mentioned are Hon.
Charles Buffnm of Orono, Col. j. w. Porter of
Burlington, 7. r. Kingsbury of Bradford, and
three or four others. In the place of Mr..
Downes of Washington county. Franklin will
send q man to represent the Seventh District