The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1897-12-04

| 49,. ~. I1dQ UA0 scotch kepG up
Responsibilities the country of Scotland
moalu Dc poor and the inhabitants in
1D'e shape. 1t seems to NE that Eng
u ana the United States should now
p al hostilities, forget the past, as the
0h Old when the cause of those
"i .eis mad ceased to exist, and become
Ao 10 policy and face the world united,
DIS FRANCE now is with Russia. England
anu The United States United could
loie tne world and big standing armies
am large navies would not be needed.
ne United States now has no quarrel
WIN England, the past should be forgot.
'eh- We are of one language and lead the
world in many things, and the two
great nations should let the past lie dead
ana hand in hand go out into the fu-
| ture.
on the motion of DR.. Dalton, Mr.. Bax-
cef was asked to prepare paper on his
recent trip to the great Northwest, to be
READ before the society at some time dur
ing the winter. and this motion was
unanimously adopted.
Inc treasurer of the society, Mr.. Jor-
uan, reminded the members of the neces-
slty OF increasing the income of the soci-
Guy and gave the reasons why this il
crease is considered necessary.
Mr.. George +. Emery suggested that
ne be allowed to read his paper at the af
ternoon session instead of In the evening
as mad been arranged, and he was accord
ingly given permission to present his pa
per at this time
CHANGES IN OUR BODY POLITIC.
This topic of Mr.. Emery's paper was
suggested by remarks made by him at
the late 10Th anniversary of the Histori-
Cal Society, indicating the desirableness
OF having series of papers prepared
showing some of the more prominent
changes that have occurred In Maine
since she was introduced into the fami-
ly of states.
No convention for revising the consti-
tuition has been held since it was adopt
ed, attesting the wisdom Of itssframers
and the conservative character of our
people. Nevertheless, pursuant to legis-
lative resolves, approved at popular cleo
tions, numerous amendments have been
adopted, the most important of which he
proceeded to notice. Fourteen years
| elapsed before any change was made. The
first that occurred was to proyidessf
regulating the manner of voting in cities
which had outgrown their townhoed.
Some "a amendments have been adopted
In all and their accumulation led to re-
vision by the late G. j. Appleton, by au-
thority Of the legislature, whose codifica-
ton was approved February 90, 1876. The
| legislative branch has undergone the fol-
| lowing changes: The number Of represen-
| tatives is now ISL instead of not less than
| 100, nor moreKthan 200. Biennial sessions
have been substituted for annual. For
but the change proving unsatisfactory
the original time of meeting, the first
Wednesday of January, was restored.
Portland was the original seat of govern
ment. but in 1881 1t was transferred to
| Augusta. The change from annual to
biennial sessions, though conformable to
modern example, was held to be a de-
parture from the wisdom of the fathers,
who deemed frequency of elections a
vital safeguard of popular liberty and
public veal. The majority rule at cleo
tions has in general been supplanted by
the plurality.
| In the executive department the Gov
erner and Council are elected for two
years to correspond with change in leg
islative sessions. The power of appoint
ment of county officers has been trans
ferred from the executive to the people
making them elective.
| Our judicial system has undergone rad
| ical changes. Originally the S. J. Court
| consisted of chief and two associates.
| Their period Of service expired on their
reaching 10 years of age. As now consti-
tuted the court embraces chief and sew
en- associates, appointed for seven years.
The circuit court Of common pleas, COM
posed of three judges, gave way to dis
! trict court, with similar jurisdiction, the
state being divided into three districts.
| AT first each county was provided with
a court of sessions, whose functions were
oAAAA1AGi w ulO plO2Shp OossA05 ~ COdAAuJ
commissioners
The jurisdiction of the present S. j.
Court has been greatly enlarged on it's
equity side, but in Cum berland, Kenne-
bee and Aroostook counties. superior
courts have been established, relieving
the former of much Of its business. Be-
sides nisi prius terlna of the S. j. Court
held in each county, annual sessions are
held at Portland, Augusta and Bangor,
| at which five at least must be present,
and constituting the Flaw court. !"
Divers municipal and police courts have
been established, and in some localities
! trial justices are provided and bail conf
missioners and disclosure Justices A
new and important insolvency system
has also been engrafted into probate
| courts. The symmetry of the original
| judicial system is gone, and is by many
believed susceptible Of improvement.
Reference was next made to the amend
mont limiting the amount of municipal
|