Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1877-02-13
Letters from Aua,tsta.

evening, dlleI u seosiou VA snA'J
working days. the shortest winter session
on record. The session has been very
harmonious, and singularly free from
that acrimonious debate by which some
previous have been characterized. 10
point of ability it has been fair average.
The Oxford County delegation have
acquitted themselves hone rably and. have
looked sharply after the Interests OF their
constituents. Mr.. Wadsworth and MIR.
Irish of the Senate have been promptly
in their places and have taken an active
part in all the business of The session.
From party usage | suppose MIR. Wads-
worlds place, next year, will be iilled by
some other person, and from the same
party usage | suppose Mr.. Irish will be
returned; aside from party usage, his
faithful services eutitle him TO a re-elec-
l lion.
In respect to close and intelligent at
teulion to business, what is true OF the
members of the Senate is also true OF the
members of the House. They shonM all
receive the home greeting of faithful and
conscientious public servants.
Through the able and persistent efforts
Of Mr.. Abbott, the member from Andover
assisted by the rest of The delegation,
the acts allowing the exclusive nayiga-
ton OF several lakes iu northern Oxford
for q term OF ten years, was carried,
Notwithstanding the adverse rulings with
respect to order of notice. This was
about ell the special legislation that The
County asked for; ard its success can
not conflict with any private or public
rights. ,
Two constitutional amendments will be
submitted to the people at the September
election. One prohibiting its municipal
authorities from running their town in
debt beyond per cent Of its valuation,
aud the other provides that no person
shall vote who has not pad poll tax
within two years. They will doubles:
be decided il the affirmative, as mos'
constitutional amendments are. The
amendment for biennial elections ant
sessions was defeated 10 the Senate after
having unanimously passed the House tc
DO ongrossed. The vote was so decided
IN The Senate that its friends saw that II
was useless 10 press it. AID 1t vas drop
ped.
The act relating to trustee process Is
important aud radical. II eXempls absc-
lutely twenty-lour days wages OF any
person, and what is more important, Il
eXempts the wages VI women and CHI.
dren, from being attached Tor the debts
of the husband. This Is "a 1ew departure
and its expediency and jlsiic5 remain &
DE tested.
The bill to reduce the salary OF the L.
surance Commissioner utterly failed oil
final passage. No measure during the
session has been pressed with such pefsls'
tency, and its failure is complete gindi'
cation OF Mr.. Nye, from the charges
which malice had preferred against him
But cannot go into particulars respect
ing the bills which passed and the schemes
which failed. Those Of The former which
are OF Il general character, viii soon oI
furnished your subscribers in Jour extra
and the acts and resolves " ich have gone
where the woCdbine t~iuelh" ere MOI
now worth speaking OF.
The measures which have been passed
have become part OF the legislative his
tory of the Safe, and time vii test theiI
value. Ii not found 10 effect the object:
intended, they can be altered or repealed
by future Legislatures. There are grave
doubts in the minds OF many member
respecting The Savings Bank bill. Il has
occupied much more attention during the
the session than any other measure, anC
up 10 the hour oil adj )utnment there
were very many members who did mol
fully understand it, on account OF the
numerous amendments with which 1t was
loaded down, and oil those who undeI-
stood it. but few were entirely satisfied
with it. l. will probably require essen
tial "tinkcring" at the next session. Il
fixes the State tax on deposits, and limits
interest 10 1--WE per cent.
There has been but little lobbying here
the past session. The amendment 10 the
constitution prohibiting special iegisls'
ton has taken away the occupation o.
the professional lobbyist. One who for
merly followed this questionable occups'
ton has hung around the Legislature the
past winter. probably from force OF habit
but it has been more in the character o
a loaier than lobbyist.
! There was the customary paper bal
session" Thursday, while waiting for The
tfinters, when members of the House
and grave Senator'S acted very much like
boys just dismissed from school. There
were the usual pathetic speeches and
pledges OF eternal remembrance aud
friendship" and then the gayel came
down, and the Legislature was declared