The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1874-09-24
The Next Legislature.

The returns are all in for the Legislature of
1875 with the exception of the Springfield dis
trict in Penobscot. The Senate is quite
largely made up of members who have had
fofmer legislative experience and is remark
ably strong body. The House is as usual
composed largely of new" men whose ca.
pacity is yet to be developed. An unusually
large number of Democrats and Independents
have been chosen, of whom there are three in
the Senate and sixty in.the House, giving Re-
publican majority of fity-six on joint ballot,
not counting the do lbtful district which
will probably return Republican.
For the Presidency Of the Senate Hon. E.
F. Webb of Waterville is the leading candi-
date with very decided probability of sue
cess. No other candidate for the position has
been announced, and the only other gentle
man who is likely to become an asprant is
Hon. E. Foster, Jr., OF Bethel. The secre-
taryship will fall easily to Mr.. Lane again,
and Mr.. Danforth will naturally be continued
as assistant secretary, both these gentlemen
having given entire satisfaction in their form
er discharge of the functions of these offices.
In the House Mr.. Thomas seems to have
no competitor for the speakership, while
Cnadbourne and Smith will occupy without
question the seats in front of him which they
filled to SO good purpose last winter. In fact
the organization of the Legislature seems
this year to arrange itself and to be the sub
ject of unusually confident prediction.
The Senate will have the advantage of a
large force Of veteran legislators, and many
of the new members have formerly served
iu the Heuse, prominent among whom may
bell of Washington, Swasey of Oxford, and
Lord of York, all of whom were in the
House last winter. Gen. I. W. Hyde of
Sagadahoc, is bran new law maker, but
brings a reputation for high character and
ability. In the House, Wilson of Bangor
will be the leader in virtue both of his emf
nent ability and his position as chairman
of the Judiciary Committee. The sturdy and
eloquent veteran, Talbot of East Machias, will
lead the forces of the Democracy as he did last
winter. OF the new members Tapley of Sa-
CO, Shepherd of Sko vinegar, Allan OF Den
nJS'iASS t'aNShNiiOuo VI )1uSOi3 NiSSin vi
Rockland, Pitcher of Belfast, Hall of Els
worth, Buck of Orlaad and Tefft of Brewer
are likely to be prominent on the Republican
side. The Democracy will be strong and
among the best Of them will be the three rep
resentatives from this city. We are glad to
assure our friends that they will find Messrs.
DAVIS, Cleaves and True first class gentlemen
in all respects except their politics, which we
are OF course bound to Geprecate. Sam Leav-
lit will be there, too, bright and merry as
ever, whose genial face is pleasant to look up.
on anywhere.
The first task devolving upon the new Leg
islature will be the choice of a Unitel States
senator. There seems to be an unusual num-
Der of members unlabeled, aud it is not
impossible that a complicated contest may
arise. 1t will be important, too, that
early attention be given to Straight
enins out the capital punishment
law, as the executive council seems disposed
to give it a construction quite different from
that contemplated by the Legislature of last
winter or that which has prevailed since its
enactment in 1869. Provision must be made
for new Insane Asylum and the Governor
will probably be able to inform the Legisla.
ture what arrangements can be made for the
purchase of the Marine Hospital for that
purpose.
Beyond these things nothing of great i'm
portance now appears. The usual routine
legislation must be had, the porgie must re-
ceive its share of attention aud about all the
appropriations of money asked for will be
made after the regulation amount of debate is
ACCOMPLISHED