The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1875-03-04
The York Representatives,

The Maine Legislature of 1875 has adjourned,
and in looking over the acts and resolves
passed, and constitutional amendment pro-
posed, we are glad to learn that the delegation
from this county, with few exceptions, de-
voted their whole time to the duties with which
their constituents intrusted them, and while
they have not delayed the action of the legisla-
ton by any extended remarks, we have been
glad to learn have responded to the call of
their names whenever important questions
have been acted upon: and as far as can we can
learn, their action has given general satisfac-
ton, with perhaps one exception. We refer to
to the capital punishment question, matter
upon which the people differ very much in their
views. We were represented by two lawyers
from this county, viz: Judge r. P. Tapley-
man of marked ability, but necessarily
absent from his duties, considerable portion
Of the time, by reason of the sitting of the
Supreme Court, and L. T. Mason of Biddeford,
who IS man of force and intelligence, always
discharging his duties in faithful manner,
and one clergyman from the town of York,
and Doctor M. T. Wentworth, always ''level
headed" who was present but few days after
the senatorial election, owing probably to pro-
fessonal engagements. The remaining mem
bers representing York, were farmers, school
teachers and lumbermen-all active and useful
individuals. The passage of an act in favor of
the Biddeford Light Infantry Co. we are
pleased to note, the more SO as we observed so
large a majority opposed to further expendi.
ture for military purposes. When the bill was
under consideration in the Senate, Mr. Hall
-
matter, in such manner as TO obtain nearly
una nimous vote in its favor. We are also
informed that Senator Hail suggested to the
con slit utional commissioners, the proposed
change in the coDstitution-eecting state sem
ators by plurality, instead of by majority
and when the same was before the Senate,
he was called upon to give his rea on for
such change, and in a clear and Ineligible
manner, showed that each Senate was Judged
of its own election, and he, having acted upon
the senatorial committee on elections for two
years, had learned that an erroneous rule was
established, in determining who was elected.
The rule is this-add up the whole number of
votes, or ballots, and divide them by the num-
Der of candidates. This rule when thoroughly
examined proves to be erroneous. To illus
trate; A. B. and @. are Democrats; d. e. and
OppOSlGOu-A Has IOUU NOtoS u1Ore IMAM ~.
b. has 300 more than E. q. has 300 more than
f. and still A. is all the one that is elected.
Again we find, when Mr.. Haskell opposed
the constitutional amendment proposing the
appointment Of Judge of Probate by the Gov
ernor instead of an election BY the people (the
same being strongly urged by some of the
ablest members of the Senate), Mr.. Hall Civ
ing his reasons against such a change; first,
that every person owning property in the sew
eral counties, is directly interested in this
| matter as to who is to settle estates, and that
it is safer to trust the matter with the whole
people than with one man, while perhaps the
| appointing power would be Influenced by the
| law profession.
We were at the capital but few days, but
learned that the two branches of the Legis-
lature held their presiding officers in high es-
TEEN, and think it quite probable that both
will yet occupy higher positions. On the floor
of the Senate were three able lawyers. Fos
ter-whose eye is always in the direction of re-
trepchment-we heard mentioned as future
NJ O., Emery as eminently qualified for At
torney General, Corthell, Swasey and Major
Hyde as suitable persons to preside over the
! next Senate. YORK.