The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1877-02-09
AUGUSTA CORRESPONDENCE.
that are in it-Some of the NOtables of
The House.

| ~-~--
that are in ii-Some of the NOtabIes of
AUGUSTA, Feb Z, 1877
| To The Editor of the Press:
The present Maine Legislature is, on the
whole, fine looking body of men, and does
not suffer by comparison with previous sittings
| of this body. One that has been accustomed
for years previous to visit the State House at
| this season, notices that there is an unusual
number of new men ia the legislature, and
that, generally speaking they rate younger
than the members they have supp lanted. In
the House of Representatives this state OF
things is especially noticeable, and while the
| young men that came into prominence in the
last session are mostly here again, there are
but few who were active in shaping legislation
| in years previous to the last. A few members
| that have in years past been identified with the
| legislative work at the Capital are here this
| winter, most noticeably Messrs Pike of Calais,
! Grant of Ellsworth, and Robbie of Gorbam.
The leading characteristic of this session is the
hurry to get through. This arises from praise
worthy desire noe to throw away time in DELHI
erations on unimportaLt measures; and also,
no doubt, from the circumstance that the COM
pensation is no longer per diem and an undue
prolongation of the session would be unprofit-
able to individual members without the proba-
blity of contributing to the good of the COM
monwealth. So as there is little to do the Leg
islature means to do it in short time and 90
home-the wisdom of which conclusion is
paten to all though it is rather unsatisfactory
in its application to the hotel keepers of
Augusta
There is not much going on in the way of
debating, but now and then little furry
comes up and it is cot uninterestiDg to be
present at an afternoon session, as the number
of visitors testifies. To one that is interested
in marking the influence of individual mem
bers in shaping legislation it is worth while to
spend an afternoon in the House of Represen-
tatives, and for such as cannot do that de-
scription of some of the more prominent
legislators will not be out of place.
AS Speaker, Mr.. Nealley fulfills the promise
OF bis able performance on the floor of the
House during last winters session. With his
recognized ability and knowledge of parliament
tary law he unites the tact and readiness 60
essential to the successful filling of his difficult
position. His rulings are prompt and impair
tial, and it is safe to sag that 10 predecessor
has ever filled the Office more to the general
satisfaction.
On the floor, the member that most strongly
impresses the spectator is Pike of Calais, whose
name is so familiar ia national as we'll as in
state politics that he needs no words of descrip-
tlOQ here. II ia s1at ia in the nddla Of tbo
back row, but that is the last place in which to
look for him. He has been seen there only
once during the session, and then Locke of
Portland, who was Speaker pro tem., called
him TO order tor speaking out of his seat, when
it was developed that he was this time really
in his legitimate place. 1t is not to be inferred
however that because Mr.. Pike doesn't stay put
in his place, that he Is not to be easily found
during the hours of session. The House of
Representatives is conscious of his presence at
almost any time that legislation is in progress.
He is the most powerful motor in the House in
the way of hurrying up business aud rushes
with "Hurrah boys" into everything that
comes up, attacking every measure on its mer-
its, and bnll-dozng the House in the buoyaut,
Bullying manner characteristic of him. He
NSNPS NP ioaH'hS W tuo IT.
marks of aty member that may be speaking,
and interpGlates his own with charming in
difference to the parliamentary usage that Of
zen influences ordinary members. He has a
large personal influence ia the House, but no
distinct following, and as he is apt 10 take the
unpopular side OF measures he gets beaten full
otener than otherwise. Nothing, however
can disturb his jollity, and he comes up fresh
from defeat TO sci his free lance in an onset
on the next measure. HIS uncompromisiug
pugnacity, great experience in public business,
and disposition to attack without fear or favor,
make him of great value to the state, and when
as often happens he attempts to bull-doze over
much, the present House can be relied on to
protect itself.
Ano her kind of man is Robis Of Gorham.
Like Pike he has parliamentary experience,
large personal acquaintance, and something
which Pike b IS not, or, at least, does not man
ifest, the tact to use it in the promotion of
measures with which he is identified. He has
this session been mainly concerned in the bills
relating to the agricultural interests and his
management of these has bsen able and sue
cessful
Pllsbury OF Lewiston, although new MEM
Der, should be ranked as one of the foremost in
the House. He is an easy, direct and convinc-
ing speaker and has given an efficient advocacy
to the measures that have been reported from
the Committee on Banking, of which he is a
member, and has taken prominent part in re-
lation to other measures.
The proceedings of this session have not
been of character to call out any leadership,
but SO far as anybody has filed that position
it is Cleaves of Portland He is able and poll
ltlc and does not waste his power in attacking
unmportant measures but when he has spok-
en-, his remarks were we'll timed and telling
During the time of Mr.. Nealley's absence he
filled the place of Speaker with marked ability.
He has strong following In the House and is
influential in shaping legislation.
The most prominent man among the Dem
ocrats is Stone of Blddeford, who is aggressive
and able, and takes a hand as speaker or ad-
wiser in most of the legislation that is going.
Except on matters affecting his party, he
Yields like Pike free lance, and in many
matters these gentlemen are found acting in
concert. Mr.. Stone possesses good legal at
tainments, aud was the Democratic candidate
for Speaker.
All of the above named gentlemen occupy
seats to the left or in front o. the Speakers
desk. At the extreme left is Haynes of Au-
gasta, who has been the effective leader of sew.
eral important measures and in their advocacy
has shown the qualities Of courage, persistence
and ability in presenting his case. A theatre
cal manner mars his speaking, but he puts his
points strongly, aud he often speaks so we'll
that even his tragic delivery cannot spoil the
effect As a member he is influential, and one
| can easily see how he might be much more
so.
Wadsworth of Manchester is an unpreten-
tious fArmer-like man who speaks in
common-sense, practical, unaffected manner,
that never fails to get the respectful attention
of the House. He is literally educated,
| thinker, and takes part in most of the i'm
portant measures of the session. He has been
| especially identified with the presentation of
resolves for constitutional amendments.
| Another effective man is Rogers of Bath,
l chairman of ha 10