The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1878-01-22
The Legislature.
Personnel of the Senate and HOUSE.
AXPAYER.

nifty. sIhero are but four VINO are college grad
yates, fifteen received an academical education
and the remainder are graduates from the coun-
try school house or the village High School. In
intelligence and personal appearance the pres
emit Senate, it is said by those who have been
familiar with the Legislature for many years,
will compare most favorably with any of its
predecessors, while in all those qualities which
go to make up the gentleman, and also make
the session pleasant and profitable, it must be
accorded high rank by all who have intercourse
with it. We will give the readers of the PRESS
brief sketches of the members, which may not
prove uninteresting.
Thei President, Hon. Warren 81. Vinton of
Cumberland county, is q gentleman about 80
years of age, rather tall and slim, and of light
or sandy complexion and pleasant disposition.
AS presiding officer he is careful, methodical
and correct. His manners are graceful and dig
nified, his perceptions quick. and his rulings
fair and just.
Mr.. Vinton has been in public life for twen-
ty-fiye years, and been personally engaged in
many of the political battles which have been
fought in this state, and has the reputation of
being shrewd and far-seeng political manag-
or. He has been In both branches of the Leg
islature some half dozen times, and held most
of the municipal offices of his town. Is law
yer by profession, and practices in Portland.
Nathan Totman Of Somerset county, is the
Oldest member of the Senate, being now about
20. He is remarkably well preserved physical
ly, and mentally he is as clear as he was at 80.
He is always at his post attending to his du-
ties, and looks carefully after the interests of
his people.
William Grindle is the next oldest member.
He is from Hancock county, and this is his first
year in the Senate. He has had three terms in
the Executive Council, and been Selectman of
his town, Penobscot, twenty-one years, and
held also other offices of trust. He is industri-
Gus, careful and attentive to his duties.
William G. Davis of Portland, is one of the
leading members of the Senate. He is about
so years old, OF stout build, and will weigh over
two hundred pounds Mr.. Davis ia man of
fine personal appearance, of great energy of
character and genial and pleasant manners.
Hs ID at the head Of the Railroad Committee,
for which he is we'll fitted by experience. hav.
ing been interested in our Maine roads for
long time. His sound judgment, ex ecutive
ability, and great business experience will make
him valuable legislator.
Greenlief 7. Stevens is one of the hardest
working members, and will probably do as
much to shape legislation as any other gentle
man of the Senate. He is of dark complexion,
will weigh perhaps IT'S pounds, and is 45 years
old. The President in making up the commit
tees, shew excellent judgment in making M.
Stevens chairman of that on the Judiciary. He
is graduate of the Harvard Law School, and
lawyer of large practice at the Kennebec bar.
Mr. S. is a gentleman of culture and agr eeable
manners, and one of the most pleasant and eff
fective speakers at the Senate board. He has
previously been a member of both the House
and Senate
Edward B. Nealley of Bangor, is about 40
years of age, and OF medium size and stature.
He is graduate of Bowdoin College, and was
at one time U. S. District Attorney for Monta.
ma. Was member of the House of Represen-
tatiyes in 1876 and 1877, and Speaker the last
year, where he shew himself to be an admira-
BILE presiding officer. This is his first year in
the upper branch. No doubt he will be re-
turned, and we nominate him for President OF
the Senate of 1879
James Bailey is regarded as one of the fore
most leaders of the Senate. He is chairman of
the Committee on Finance, which is, perhaps,
the most important of any of the committees.
He is peculiarly well fitted for this place by his
large business experience and acknowledged
ability as fnancier. Mr.. Bailey is 81 years
old and of fine presence. BE has been a resi-
dent of Portland nearly fifty years, and served
the city in both branches of its government.
This is his second year in the Senate, and ht
has the reputation of being q careful, correct
and economical legislator.
j. Wyman Phillips Of Orrington, naturally
has charge Of all legislation upon educational
matters. He is graduate of Bowdoin and has
been connected as teacher with many of our
erly chairman of the committee on education.
Mr.. Phillips is man rather below the medium
size, of dark complexion, and about so years o.
age. As speaker he is clear, precise and for.
chile. Hehas been in both branches of the leg
islature before and also honorsd by his towns.
men with most of the offices at their command.
William f. Moody, the Senator from York
county, is one of the self-made men of our state
He went into business when he was only nine
teen years of age, and has been in successful
operation upon the same business ever since, a
period Of thirty-four years. He has been Sc
| lectman, school committee, auditor, town ageut
| and has also held other offices, which shows
| that he is as popular at home as he is in the
| Senate. He is on several important commit
| tees, and is faithful and Industrious worker.
Joseph Fl. Martin of Camden, is one of the
1 young men of the Senate, being only 80. Hi
| will weigh $50 pounds and is light complexion
| ed. Although he is in the minority, being one
| of those who make up the strength of tn
i Democracy in the Senate, he has taken fore
} mast rank in the business of legislation. HI
has clear mind and the faculty to express
himself forcibly and logically. Senator Martin
occupies the difficult position of chairman o
the committee on the senatorial vote of tn
10th district, and he discharges his duties will
firmness and great credit to himself. He ha'
been in the Legislature twice before, and is
valuable member.
j. M. Haynes from Kennebec county, is on
of the working members of the Senate. He i
| on the judiciary committee and does valuabl
4 service Gnere. InlS Is MS uTSt year III GA
Senate, but he has been two years in the Houss
and was also on Gov. Perham's staff as Assis
tant Judge Advocate and Inspector Genera
/ believe he studied law at one time, but is nov
connected in some way with the Kennebe
Land and Lumber Co. of Augusta. His age
about 40. Mr. Haynes is most graceful an
polished orator, speaking with ease and flu
ency. :
Daniel f. Davis is recognized as one of tn
ablest men in the Senate. He is lawyer b.
profession, and takes high rank at the Penot
scot Bar. Has retentive memory and is a
industrious student which makes him ready a
all times to pass correctly upon the variou
questions which arise either in the Senate
committee. He is perhaps the most effectiv
speaker at the Senate board. has fine voice
and is ear,powerful and convincing. He is3
/ years old, and was ia the House in 1874.
William Rogers, who represents Sagadahc
county, is man Of sound Judgment and pract
cal business experience, which makes him
1 valuable legislator. In the Senate or commit
' tee he never talks for buncombe, but means iu