The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1877-01-02

Editorials have appeared in the Bangor
Daily Wing in behalf of MIR. Nealley of Ban
gor, for the position of Speaker of the House.
Communications have been published in the
Kennebec Journal in behalf of Mr.. Haynes of
Augusta, for the same position. Circulars
have been distributed throughout the state in
the interest of both gentlemen. Appearance
indicate that the contest is being prosecuted
with vigor.
The editorial in the Wing, after speaking in
very complimentary terms of Mr.. Neatly, sc.
concludes in calling attention to the record of
Penobscot County in the recent election, as
emitting her to Republican consideration. The
correspondent of the Kennebec Journal takes
issue upon some of the statements of the Wing
and mildly suggests that Penobscot County in
the past has received ample consideration and
ls now fully represented at the State Capitol;
that the Secretary of State, who for many
years was clerk Of the House, is a resident of
Penobscot and candidate for re. election;
that the Treasurer of the State, Land Agent,
Assistant Clerk of the House and Assistant
Secretary of the Senate are from the County of
Peno5scot; that, the present Land Agent, Mr..
Burleigh, is candidate for reelection as As.
sistant Clerk of the House and will be chosen
without opposition. Penobscot, also, has fair
proportion of the judges of the Supreme Court
and one u S. Senator
It would seem to fair-minded gentlemen un-
Influenced by personal or local considerations
that the section to which allusion has been
made, has received the most respectful and
amicable treatment in the distribution Of State
of4i nd 30, III or,.J
an act of justice, that tine Speaker of the next
House should come from the County of Penob-
scot. If that prominence is to be given to this
question of location which the articles alluded
to suggest, the claims of some section other
than Penobscot must necessarily be strength
eued.
Former Legislatures have wisely discarded
all sectional controversies in selection of
presiding officer. Whoever is elected is to be
the presiding officer of the entire House,
and it is to be regretted that the friends of
Mr. Neatly in Penob.cot, have felt constrained
in the present canvas to urge his election upon
local grounds and thereby seek to prejudice the
claims of other gentlemen equally as deserving,
when it is considered how frequently the West
has chearfully given its support to candidates
from that section Of the State.
The numerous friends of Mr.. Ceaves in diff
ferent sections Of the State in presenting him
as candidate for the honorable position did
not regard the question of locality as of vital
importance. They were fully aware of his quail
ifcstions; they appreciated his faithful AID
honorable discharge of public duty in the last
Legislature, recognizing in his action the rights
and interests of all sections of the State, and
they were not unmindful of nearly three years
Of honorable and ardarous service that be rem
dered in the Union army during the rebellion.
His qualifications are conceded, and should the
members of the House elevate him to the posi-
ton Of Speaker, they will have an efficient pre-
siding officer and one who will extend to euery
member of the House the attention and respect
that is due to members of a Legislative body.
AT the present time, indications from all Sec
lions of the State point to his election.
ANDRaSCOGcIN