The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1878-02-23
The LEGISLATURE.

AT lnO uouI VI 1A.fO yeSleTudy IuOruIuS tue
Legislature of 1877 closed is regular session
of seven weeks and one day. Contrary to
anticipation it has been busy session and
has developed rather unusual amount of
talent, especially in the younger members of
the House Considerable positive legislation
was effected, but of course the greater part OF
the work was negative, so TO say-that is, it
consisted in refusing to take action sought;
and wisdom Is quite as often shown in the
latter as in the former. These annual ses-
sions of the Legislature are great education.
al agency. They afford means for men
with pronounced views on public affairs to
submit their schemes to the average judg-
ment of the State, and thus great deal of
fermenting nonsense finds harmless vent,
and great many sensible things find an
avenue to the public uses. 1t also brings
together nearly two hundred men from all
parts of the State, gives them some insight
into the methods of public business, brings
each into knowledge of the feelings, opinions
and wants of men from other sections, makes
men tolerant of adverse views and shows
them the necessity of mutual concession in
order that communities may exist, and, in
short, sends them home wiser and sounder
men, better citizens Of their towns, the state
and the nation. So, say we, let annual ses-
sions continue as our crowning educational
enterprise. Intelligence about pub ic affairs
and love for the freedom bequeathed US by
the fathers are much helped by frequent
assembling of the representatives of the
people. Late be the day when the pernicious
and anti-republican doctrine of biennial or
quadrennial sessions of the Legislature shall
obtain foothold in Maine.
Cumberland county has had strong repre-
sentation at Augusta this year. 1t furnished
the President Of the Senate aud everybody
says that Mr.. Vinton made a capital presid-
ing officer, as everybody knew he would.
Senator Bailey has been we'll alive to the in
terests of his constituents and the State, and
his genial manners and business habits made
him useful legislator. Senator Tolman too
has done the State good service, bringing to
his task both intelligence and much practice
in public affairs. Senator Davis is good
fellow and an influential Senator. It's a
pity he's Democrat.
The House has been the conspicuous arena
this year, and here the representatives of
Cumberland county have done credit to their
constituents. Probably the strongest man in
either branch, in point of influence, was COL
Robie, of Gorham. He has taken positive
and prominent positions on most important
questions and has shown great aptitude in
bringing things to pass. Mr.. Mclaughlin, of
this city,has become a great favorte with the
legislators, both from his attractive social
qualities which won warm friendship, aud
his sound and intelligent business capacity,
large influence in shaping legislation and sue
ceeded in engrafting upon our statutes an in
,solvency law which will protect us from the
old "grab" law, if Congress repeal the Bank.
rupt Law. For this he merits the thanks
of all who borrow or lend, buy or sell. The
other Portland representatives credltably dis
charged their duty. Mr.. Adams of Deering
was strong and effective member, showing
much aptitude for affairs and conscientious
devotion to business. Prof. Young of Bruins
wick made very active, strong and effective
representative and impressed himself with
great force upon the legislation, developing
marked talent in debate and broad concep-
ton of public business. Of the younger
members, Messrs. Seiders of North Yarmouth,
Webb of Wiudham and Moulton of Scar
boro specially distinguished themselves as
good debaters and intelligent legislators. Mr..
Selders is already generally talked of as
Speaker for the next House should he be re-
turned. Mr.. Webb is also named, and the
Democrats couldn't do better than try to elect
Mr.. Moulton. So, in case of necessity, Cum
berland can furnish at least three good Speak
ers for next year-with several towns to hear
from.
OF the prominent members OF the Senate
from other parts of the State may be men,
toned Messrs. Nealley of Penobscot, who
will probably be President next ar,-Moody
of York, Boaedman Of Waldo, Haynes Of