Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1913-04-16
WEDNESDAY, APRIL is, 1913


The SeFenfE-Slxtn Legislature.
The seventy sixth Maine legislature
adjourned sine die near midnight Sat
urday. The session has been re-
markable one in many ways-remark-
able because of peculiar alignment
of political parties, remarkable in
length, remarkable because of the i'm
portance of constructive legislation
enacted, and remarkable in the clos
ing days of sheriff impeachment pro-
eeediBgs in joint convention.
Ellsworth takes pardonaole pride in
the tribute paid to her own son, Hon.
John A. Peters, who filed the speak
er's chair 30 acceptably and 50 ably
throughout the trying session. He
has ever had perfect control of the
legislative machinery In the House,
ever ready and always right in his
rulings in difficult emergencies, ever
In touch With important legislation.
No one il more competent than he
to summarize in few words the i'm
portant features OF the session. This
he has done in short letter to the
Kennebec Journal, which follows:
without giving anything more than gen
eral Impression at the moment OF closing, and
without attempting to analyze the ss7 acts
and sss resolves that have been passed, the
most prominent and probably one Of the
most beneficial accomplishments in the way
Of constructive legislation is the public utili-
ties bill. Mora time was put into this meas
ure than have ever known 70 be devoted be-
fore to any single piece Of Legislative work,
and l confidently expect it win prove n
monument TO this Legislature. The high
standard aimed at and attained by the gov
ernor in the selection of the members Of the
commission win launch the finished work
under the most favorable auspices
The policy Of the State as embodied in the
good roads legislation lie destined 70 mark an
epoch in legislation In this State, and is one
OF the most noteworthy results of the ses-
sion.
The general policy Of the State toward pub
lie and semi-pub lic Institutions as shaped by
this legislature has been on the whole wise
and conservative. The matter of claims
against the State has been handled In bust
ness-like way by business men, and left in
satisfactory condition.
While expenditures have been wise and
liberal without being wasteful, the tax rate
has been reduced.
The good work Of any legislature in turn
ing down foolish and impraeticable PROPOSE
tions 10 not much known. and this session has
been no exception in that IT has rejected
hundreds of propositions; but everything has
been patiently considered. and no man has
been refused a hearing.
No general glance at the work Of the
seventy sixth legislature would be complete
without noting the wonderful display OF
patience and the high-minded devotion to
duty which has been manifested In the clos
ing weeks Of the session, In the trial of yari-
GUS county officials and in the Judgments
which have been rendered.
The members of the seyenty-sixth legisla-
tnre may well congratulate themselves and
feel that in their attitude generally they have
helped perpetuate our representative form OF
government which we all believe best suited
to the needs and best adapted to the welfare
and prosperity of the citizens OF the State.