The Portland daily press., 1900-02-03
THE SPEAKERSHIP.
Hon. E. N. Merrill of skowhsgan IL An.
nounced ms Candidate.

(From tha Somerset Reporter
Already much intsre t Ia bang shown
throughout the State in the makeup OF
the 70:h Lsgislatnrs, which will assemble
January LIST. 1901. The business men.
far mers, mechanics and lahoring men are
taking unprsoe dentedi interest in the
political questions Of the day, and espec-
Tally In the question Of taxation which
will undoubtedly rsneive the most care
full attention OF this next legislature. 1t
therefore tehooves the voters and tnxpay
ers 20 exercise great care In the choice
OF candidates to represent them in that
body.
While this Is one important branch to be
looked after, there is another paramount
to It. Legislation depends largely upon
the personnel Of the various committees
OF the House. Hence this impo rtanoe
which csnters around the choios Of Speak
er. Upon him devolves the responsibility
of the formation OF all committees. ID Q
alones Is respo nsible for their make-up.
and he should be man Of wide expert
enos and thorough business qualitica-
| lions, entirely unbiased by personal
motives and interests. looking only for
the best good Of the greatest number.
/ SOmtT66b OOuuby uh6 suCo o0buiuhAc
In Edward N. Merrill. Esq Of Skowhe-
gan, who 10 ably and enthusiastically repre-
serted his district In the 69sh Legislature
that he will be the emphatic choice Tor
| the roth. q man In whom tho sound
| Judgment and practical wisdom OF the
successful business man 10 united with
| the broad culture and keenness Of intellect
which has given him high rank In his
profession, and gained for him the conl-
dsnce Of all. His position In the 69th
| Legislature upon the question OF sxation
was bread and comprehensive. showing
| thorough acquaintance with the subject
| and q clear knowledge Of the unequal
burdens borne by the different GLASSES of
property. That reform 10 needed Is ap
| parent nom ell quarters Of the State.
| and NO man in the Goth Legislature
| sounded the keynots with more marked
ability than Mr.. Merrill.
| At the prssent time We know OF but one
other candidate for tbs position, Hon.
Joseph ii. Manlsy Of Augusta. the present
chairman OF ths State Committee and .
member Of the Republican National Com
mittss. The contest bstween thsse two
sentlsnsn promises to be sharp one.
Both are possessed Of such qualities that
when they once enter upon an undsrtak.
ing, they do 1t with determination to
Many of Mr. MsrriIIs friends from all
over tbs Stats claim that he sheuld be
| supported for the position upon grounds
that appeal. a. they say, to fair distri-
bution Of the offices 70 the various parts
Of thu State. They say that Augusta has
the Representative to Congress and the
/ Secretary Of State. and Will have Tor
another term; that the only candidate for
State Treasurer Ia from ksnnsbsc County
and that to the Hon. John u. Hill OF
Augusta are conceded the gubsrnatorial
honors. Hence they claim that Augusta
and kennsbec County ought to BE- fairly
satisfied without laying claim to the
5peakershfp.
There IL still another reason why
Somsrsse Country 10 entitled to the ofhca.
since the establishment of the state shs
has never had the honor Of furnishing
Speaker of the House, while Kennstec
has furnished tan. Upon the grounds or
lnoalfty and fair distribution OF the
stiicss, Somers claims that she should
be recognised. That Mr.. Merrill possess-
o. ell tie gu tliucations for ths position
| ram Il bs Questioned, and we bsspsak TOR
N ;as hearty support Of the party