The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1893-03-31

Eye to the Future-Portland Aspi-
rants.
Especial to the Press.)
AUGUSTA, March 30.-In the State
House this morning, there was an air OF
gloom. Desks were bare of books and
papers. and busy employees were doing
some spring house cleaning, polishing up
furniture. sweeping floors, and removing
the torn paper which remained every
where after the mock session. The
House chamber looked particularly un-
inviting, as there the chairs had been
piled up on the desks to facilitate the
work of the house-cleaners.
The majority of the members of the
legislature left for their homes on the
morning trains, and the scene on the sta
ton platform while they waited was as
animated as the appearance of the Capt.
tol was dreary. Even the Bangor contin-
gent went away with smiling faces. The
legislators had kept late hours the night
before, and the SONGS which were sung
during the last session were repeated
again and again at the hotels. A few
members departed on the Pullman for
the east which leaves Augusta at a. M,
and their friends were there to see them
off. The musical ability of the Senate
astonished the large number of visitors
who thronged the chamber last evening.
Senator Thatcher, who has sung the
praises of Bangor as the home of the in
sane of eastern Maine, joined in college
songs, taking the bass psrts to the great
acceptance of the audience, while Sena-
tor Seiders sang tenor in fine style, and
was ably seconded by Senator Mayo.
While the senatorial warblers rested, two
colored gentlemen sang number of Sc
lections and were literally rewarded for
their efforts. Mr.. Hamlin of Ellsworth
takes away with him a reminder of the
mock session in the shape of black
eve. Mr.. Hamlin was the victim of one
of the old boys in that riotous session,
who threw a pamphlet across the hall.
The member who threw the pamphlet
did not mean to hurt anybody. but Mr..
Hamlin happened in the way to his sor-
row.
Much of the talk of the departing
members related to the influence exerted
by Gov. Cleaves on legislation. To be-
gin with. everybody admits that the
and thus remedied it when he vetoed
that loosely drawn railroad charter,
which was no worse than about dozen
others. The way the others were hauled
back and licked into shape was strong
proof of the correctness Of the Govern
or's views. Then there is the new gen.
eral law for the organization of street
railroads which is the outcome Of the
Goyernor's recommendations, and in
line with this is the commission to be
to be appointed to consider how much
of the special legislation which now
takes so much valuable time may be
provided for by some system Of general
law.
In another way the influence of the
Governor has made itself felt and that
is in the economy exercised by the legis-
lature The appropriations are now on
lv slightly in excess of those made by
the legislature of two years ago, state
of things which will commend itself to
the people and will make possible the
reduction of the tax rate from 2 3-4 to
1-2 mills in 1894.
The things left undone deserve atten-
ton in looking back at the work of the
legislature. The new legislation will
soon be published in the PRESS, and
there are many who will be glad that the
listing bill will be conspicuous there by
its absence. The legislature has done
some good things this winter. One OF
them was done when it left undone the
addition of the principle of the listing
system to Maine law. The failure of the
resolve to submit the sectarian amend
ment to the people, however, will not be
reckoned among the good things. Ban
gor does not get it's hospital, but the
matter has been left in such shape that
if necessity for the new institution can
be shown two years from now Bangor
may try again.
It is probable that the people would
have approved the increase in law max.
ers' salaries proposed by Senator Swan
ton, who made gallant if hopeless fight
for the measure. The druggists will try
again, but perhaps in new way.
The legislature has been fortunate in
it's presiding officers and the secretaries
and their assistants. The newspaper
correspondents are indebted to these gen
tlemen for many courtesies.
Besides talking Of this legislature, the
homeward bound members spoke of the
next, and those of the Senators who ex,
pect to come back are thinking of Sena-
tor Seiders of Cumberland as the next
presiding officer of the upper house. Mr..
Seiders makes a capital chairman and
while taking prominent part in the
| winters legislation has done SO in way
that has made him many friends and nc
enemies. Gossips of the House mention
Messrs. Morrill, and Emerson as possible
speakers. Where the Hon. Llewellyr
Powers will reappear is matter of spec
ulation. Some say that he would not Ibe
averse to succeeding Gov. Cleaves foul
years from now. He has also been spoken
Of as the next speaker, and there are
those who have slated him for place il
the next Senate. Mr.. Spofford of Han
cock may be candidate for the presi-
dency of the Senate. DR.. Grindle of the
same county, which he has served two
terms, is as popular at home as he is
among his fellow senators and his friends
want to send him back for third term
Senator Nickerson and Representative
Maddocks, who have done SO much in
behalf of the fishermen, deserve re-elec-
+;ons ond will nrobahlv pet them