The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1875-02-15
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Augusta Correspondence.
Woman Suffrage and iis sAdvocates-The-
OreiicaI Farmers-The ConsiiiutionaI
Commissi0n,
AuGuaTA Eah II

OreficaI Farmers-The Cons,;,u,iouaI
AUGUSTA, Feb 13.
Judged by the interest manifested in the
Maine Woman Suffrage Convention, and the
large and attentive audiences, the subject is
one that more people are considering than
would be willing to acknowledge the fact. In
deed, twice as many members of the Legisla-
ture attended the meetings as attended the
temperance convention, and in boarding house
circles the arguments presented are freely can
vassed. Now and then one of our Solons at
tempts to refute the arguments of the speakers,
but he generally enGs by asking how one would
like to see two hundred women among four
hundred shouting, excited men at a town meet
ing. He asks us what we would do; If the
sight wouldn't be more revolving than that of
hanging two murderers at Thomaston. This
is sample OF the imbecile objections with
which big men meet the crushing logic of Lucy
Stone. Mrs. WOolson and Rev. Miss Haines.
Wouldn't it be better for the objectors to hold
their peace instead of making fools of them
Selves by uttering such sheer nonsense as have
alluded to. If they are resolved not to give
this question fair, honorable consideration, If
they will hold to prejudices of the past, let
them for their own sakes and for the reputa-
tion of the male sex, not exhibit themselves as
buffoons by talking nonsense in earnest Don't
attempt any longer to parry skillful sword
thrusts with broken straws, or put the question
cut of sight by relating that miserable apple
episode of Mother Eve and willing Father Ad-
am. Good men have done worse things than
steal apples since that time without thinking
of Mrs. Adams little peculation. One thing
however, is gained; men who have listened to
Lucy Stone, Mrs. Woolson and Miss Haines
will not ridicue them personally.
The Maine Farmer of the current week de-
votes three columns to the PRESS and other pa
pers which have questioned the infalibility Of
the managers of the Board of Agriculture.
That, at least, is the drift of the first column.
Life which is confined to a limit Of three score
and ten years is too brief to read three-column
editorials, so we cannot attempt to review the
article, if it were necessary. The PRESS has no
contest with the Farmer. 1t does not dispute
its claim of being the farmers organ, albeit
neither proprietors nor agricultural editors
have put their hands to the practical plough.
of the Farmer 1t does object to many things
that the Board of Agriculture and its secretary
do. but not through any local jealousy or i'll
will to either Perhaps both are doing all
that they can to encourage and develope agri-
culture in Maine Now this Board is soon to
have a meeting at Waterville. Let them Crap
pie with facts like these, and forget the semi
annual allowance of State stationery which the
Secretary of State is required to send them-to
take home. Now for the facts: A member of
the House, representing an Oxford County dis
trict tells me that in four years sixty families
of farmers have left the towns he represents for
the West or the cities, and the depopulation IL
still going on. Here, gentlemen of the Board
of Agriculture, Is a question worthy of your
most searching investigation. How shall this
alarming depopulation of our farming districts
be checked? Upon how many more hearths in
the more remote sections must the fire go out
forever before some official department will
take cognizance of the ominous fact? 1t does
seem that the Board of Agriculture, to whom
the State has committed this vital interest,
should consider with solicitude this question of
depopulation-that it belongs to them first
that the members. many of whom are able
men, should discuss this matter and devise
some possible remedy more potent than a seven
hundred page Report 1t doesn't seem worth
while for the Board 20 waste its energies In ex-
cited speeches at suggestion of the Gov erncr,
or that the secretary or the Maine organ should
waste himself and itself in war for uertatim
report of the proceedings of the Board, giving
every members views at length about minor
details of culture, when the pressing question
is whether farming shall continue to die out,
and its population decrease every year. It
isn't a question with Mr.. Boardman, but
whether the State cannot do more to save its
agricultural population by expending the S15,-
900 or $4,000 that the Board and ITS secretary
now expend, directly or indirectly, In some
other manner. That Is all. There has been
an order before the Legislature touching the
expediency of exempting neat cattle under
three years of age from taxation. 1t seems to
me that this measure was calculated to encour-
age stock raising-that as there is no income
from this class of property to the owners, it
would be just thing to do. do not learn
that any of the gentlemen who announce them
selves as the champions of the farmer appeared
before the committee to urge such measure.
Where was the secretary and the active MEM
bers of the Board?
The report of the Constitutional Commission
| is now the topic of discussion. Quite a number
| of members of the Legislature have concluded
that no amendments are required. Why in the
world, then, did they vote for the appointment
of such a commission? The gentlemen who
like to be recognized as the leaders Of both par
ties were consulted, and consulted togetheri
Why has it taken them six weeks to decide
this matter? Why did they not do it When the
resolve was going through the Legislature,
when no voice opposed it? Next week we shall
see what they-these at present dubious gentle
men-will do when the amendments come be-
| fore them. Has the presence of two or three
| interested parties, who may possibly object to
| the provisions bearing upon taxation, corpora
| tions, etc., anything to do with this newer dis
covery that no change is required?
1t will be seen by the regular report of Fri.
| day that the Judiciary Committee decides that
| the constitution and laws authorize twenty
cents per mile rs mileage for members of the
Legislature each way. Considering the meagre
pay of members, this Interpretation is doubt
| less allowable; nevertheless, in the campaigns
to come, TINS interpretatlon OF the law, nrst an
nounced by Mr.. Carleton of Whitefeld, win be
paraded in big type as a glaring example Of
Republican greed. Let it here be stated that
the Democratic leader of the House reported
Legislation inexpedient" on the ordei which
directed the Judiciary Committee to examine
| into the matter, and not Democratic cham
pion ''tooted" his trumpet against it.
| 1t is reported that the resolve appropriating
$4,000 to pay towns for money unlawfully re-
quired of them, and paid by them in 1864, will
meet with serious opposition in the House. On
what ground this proposition is opposed is not
| disclosed.
The more experienced officers and members
of the Legislature shake their heads about ad-
journment next Friday. There are resolves on
both tables appropriating over S2Oo, 900, a fact
which delays the Financial Committee in maxi
ing the tax bill, 8.
GOrham, N. H.