Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel], February 17, 1870, Image 2

About Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975

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should be compelled to attend school a giren time
In each year; that the State school fund should he
increased and that action should be taken by the
legislature to that end.
Augusta and llallowell petition for it. The com
mittee of Gardiner favor it. Auburn is unanitnoui
for it. The committee of Lewiston are divided in
opinion, a majority favoring uniformity. A meet
ing of S. 8 committees ot Androscoggin Count}
wa« held in Grammar School Building, Lewiston,
I»ec. 9, 1809, Nelson l>ingloy, Jr. chairman. J
G. Coburn, J S. Harrell, C H. Stetson, I. G.
Curtis, of Lewiston, Col E T. Luce, G. C. Emery,
of Auburn, and others from adjoining towns Were
present. Various resolutions wore passed, amon^
which was the following, unanimously adopted
alter S"ine discussion.
Rrxorvrd, “iliat it is the sense of the 8. S Com
mittees of this County that there should be a uni
fortuity of test-books throughout the public
schools of Ihc State, and that there should be a
law to that effect.”
In the blank issued to towns a Tear ago last
summer the following question was asked : “Is
uniformity of text-books in the State desirable ? ’
The answers given were thus—doubtful 13, no 17,
yes 174—more than ten to one favorable to uni
formity. York county, yes 9, no 1. Androscoggin
county, yes lit, no J, and the other counties in
like proportion, as there arc sixteen counties and
the negative vote amounted to only seventeen.
This was a deliberate expression, given before agi
tation or excitement could have influenced candid
consideration In the school report of 18l>8 and
18C9, will be found numerous requests from S S
Committees for State uniformity. I have visited
every county the past year, and the expressed de
sire of teachers bas been in favor of the same mea
sure. The genera! editorial expression has been
•mphatio in the same direction. The Portland
Press, Portland Advertiser, Oxford Democrat,
• Farmington Chronicle, Bath Times, Kennebec
Journal, Maine Standard, Gospel Banner, Somerset
Reporter, Bangor Whig and Courier, and others have
indicated their views in favor of uniformity in
terms not to be misunderstood. Fifteen of the six
teen county supervisors have likewise emphatically
endorsed the plan of uniformity, and have thus
expressed their views before the Legislative Edu
cational Com in mi tee. And here I will add that
six of the supervisors wero recommended to the
G overnor and Executive Council by me, knowing
that their views a year ago were opposed to my
own in this matter of uniformity. To-day every
one of these gentlemen agree with uie. Why is
this? The opponents of this measure simply re
ply, “the supervisors have all been Johnsonized,
they are hut supervisors." This may be creditable
to my influence but not very complimentary either
to the conscience, intelligence or manhood of
these gentlemen. J. H. Webb, Supervisor for
Cumberland county, who appeared before the Edu
cational Committee a year ago with A. 1*. Stone,
Principal of the High School, Portland, in opposi
tion to State uniformity, makes tho following offi
cial communication:
of which sire not level to the com prehension of the
pupils for whom they sire prepared, the large num
ber of books in a series unnecessarily multiplying
the number of classes, and thereby diminishing the
teachers’ usefulness, ttvo frequent changes and
partial changes, rendering even town uniformity
quite impossible, are serious obstacles to a healthy
condition of our schools. Recently, I visited the
schools of a town, having only nine districts, and
found four different readers, three kinds of gram
mar, and four ditreicnt geographies. I am able to
name five adjoining towns in this county, each
using (litferent text-books. A change of residence
from one of these towns to another must necessarily
be attended with no small pecuniary burden to the
parents, and a serious embarrassment to the pro
gress of the pupils. It is hoped that these evils
may soon find a remedy in the adoption of a uni
form system of tcxt-b<»oks. In presenting these
views favoring State uniformity, judiciously in
augurated, l widi to here say that l have been led
to adopt them from a careful observance of the
many prominent obstacles that the present system
lays io the way of good classification, and a pro
gressive and thorough course of instruction iii our
public schools ”
I respectfully submit to a candid community
which opinion is entitled to the preference, that of
Mr. Webb, who has personally examined the
schools of his county, or that of Mr. Stone, who
has not visited or investigated the common schools,
and who declares that '‘the Portland High School
is his first lore," and therefore the Daily Public
School, the people's college, must hold a secondary
position in his personal regard.
Who oppose this measure? Certainly not the
eoinmnn school teachers, the people, the press, the
Supt. School Committees, the County Supervisors,
nor all of the principal educators, X to the con
trary. We will consider first the remonstrants who
appeared before the legislative committee Feb. 3.
Consider tbeui if yon please as educatore. I have no
feeling against these gentlemen, they are all (uy
personal friends. I shall uualyzu the list alter the
manner of a most courteous and kindly difference
of opinion. The first gentleman, Mr. Pullen, is a
lawyer by profession, aud he informed uie that he
wax employed to apfiear before the committee “by
no one outside of the Slate." This is perfectly
honorable. We only desire to know all the motives
influencing to this or any particular direction of
action. Mr. Sytuonds is also a lawyer by profession
in Portland, a thorough scholar aud a member of
the school committee, 1 think. Mr. frlone of
Biddeford, is a lawyer aud a member of the
8. S. Committee. lie errs when he says that
York conuty is not favorable to uuiformity.
The expression by towns iu that county stands nine
to one. Mr. Booth by is a (Jrummur School teacher
in Bath, aud I aiu informed that his expenses to
Augusta were paid by the acting agent for New
York and Boston publishing houses. Wby did uot
Mr. Dike or the School Committee of Bath appear ?
Mr. Dike, I am iulormed, was requested by this
same acting agent to sign the reuioustrsnoe, and to
appear before the Committee, but declined to do
cither. Air. Coburn, Lewiston, was present iu the
meeting of {Superintending School Committees of
Androscoggin county. Dec. 9, when a resolution
was passed unanimously in favor of uniformity and
a law to effect this. If iu his own home Mr.
Coburn made do opposition to this measure so
recently as December last, how happens it that bis
interest should now appear so great that be takes
the trouble and expense to visit Augusta and ap
pear before the Committee in active opposition?
Mr. Taylor of Damariscotta has been a book agent
in the iuterest of A. 8. Barnes A Co., for a year or
more, and now suddenly appears as an educator
canvassing the House of Kcpresentalivcs against
uniformity. Mr. Wentworth, Grammar {School
teacher iu Portland, says the expense to parents is
small fur new books. How many chi! iron have
been kept out of school because parents have been
unable to buy the necessary books, different from
those brought to the city on their removal thereto?
Mr Sprague, editor Kennebec Journal, informs trie
that it coet him tweuty dollars for two scholars,
consequent on his removal from llockland to Au
gusta. The poorest laborer would be obliged to
undergo the same expense. Could he conveniently
doit? Mr. 8l<>ne of Portlaud, principal of the
High School, has already been mentioned. “His
first love" he declares, “is the Portland High
School." He quotes Dr. Scars, that uniformity is
a humbug." He “ hates uuiformity." This hardly
indicates a fair mind to oousider the subject dis
passionately. “ First rate teachers wish to choose
their own books." This argues different books iu
every school-room. What becomes of town uni
formity on this principle? Mr. llanson, Water
ville, is the principal of a Private School, and
therefore feels no inconvenience from the vaiiety
of books in the public schools. Mr. Roberts, Ban
K»r, Superintendent of Schools, opposes the measure.
e informed me last winter that he would make no
objection, if Bangor were excepted. This indicates
a broad interest in the common schools of the State !
Air. Gross, tbe last remonstrant, principal of High
School, Brunswick, bus been until recently book
agent for A. 8. Barnes A Co. He informed me thet
Mr. Dresser of Portland, presented tbe remoo
airanoe to him, aud it became necessry to say
“ yM ” or “ no," and he concluded to say “ yes "(f)
and so be went in ! And now who is Mr Dresser ?
He is a smart, active dealer in books on Exchange
8treet, Portland, and a member of the Portland
School Committee—formerly a book agent, still the
representative end fiscal agent of certain New York
and Boston publishing houses, who have been ac
tively eugaged the past two yuars against uniformi
ty. Mr. Dresser is an honorable man, shrewd in
business transactions, and right manfully opposed
to uniformity. Tbe following extract from a letter
received a few days ago, tells its own story : “The
opponents of the measure (uniformity) are feeling
very good just now, and the programme is to de
feat the measure in tbe Senate. Dresser is purser,
and Appleton A Barnes furnish the funds with wbat
little they can snare out of Davis." This is all
right. No one ean complain of this. We only de
sire to know ab our opponents are, where they are,
and what their motive* may be, whether selfish or
unselfish, whether ia tbe interest of education or
trade. The foregoing are all honorable gentlemen,
•prigfet and active, whether as educators, book
agcoU, traders or fi*eal agents.
This brings me to a brief notice of the reason
etrtcoee which have been thus far referred to the
OoaMsittee oo Education. They are all printed but
two, nod these ere of the same form as tbe printed.
fif<*t if not all were distributed through the agency
ot Mr. Dresser, mmn of them accompanied with
I •Hueions to “Johnson’s horrid bill"—
(what “bill* is referred to I know not, a* the “bill”
for “uniformity” was not presented till after the
remonstrances appeared)—“monopoly,” “j>'b,” Ac.
Some of these communications have been made
known to me so that I known whereof I write. The
remonstrance* have not generally received the
signature* of the S. S Committee* in full, or of
the teachers. A few have but one or two, and even
of these a few have requested that their names be
stricken off. Dr Cheney desires his name to be
. erased, while Dr. Torscy of Keot’s Hill, writes
Senator French desiring him to strike bis name
from the remonstrance signed by him, as after ma
ture consideration he fools that he has no sympathy
with the opponents of this measure.
These remonstrances have not been the spontane
ous expressions of the people or teachers, but all of
one form hove originated from a common source
and been scattered over all the State by publishing
• houses, acting through their agent in Maine.
The cry of “monopoly” is a bugbear. So long as
Hath and othew cities, and Vermont and other
States, by city and State contracts, can secure their
books from 25 to 40 per cent cheaper than can now
be obtained on our present plan, we are strongly
| inclined to that form of “monopoly.” The “mon
opoly” seems to me to exist rather within that
circle of influences which can affix any rat# or tariff,
however exorbitant, beyond the ooutroi of either
town or State.
It is said that old books can be sold. So can old
clothes, mgs, umbrellas and broken ware. Old
books will not bring the price even of old rags.
The fact that almost every house in the State has
its cupboards, closets, shelves aod garrets more or
less filled with old books would seem to indicate
that they are not very marketable. The strong
; opposition to this measure comes partly from honest
i opinion, but mostly from book-houses outside of the
! State.
In brier then I advocate Mate aniiornmyoi veiv
book« for the following reasons:
l9t. Attempts at town uniformity have failed aa
a State measure.
2d. State uniformity ha* not failed. Maryland
abandoned it for extraneous cause.
3d. The beat educator! are ayrttd as to its desira.
bility.
4th. The people and teachers of Maine, the gen
eral press, S. S. Committee and Board of Education
dtmanri it Only two or three cities really oppose
it.
5th. Other States are moving in this direction.
6th. The saving thereby to the scholar in time,
and to the teacher in efficiency will be at least one
quarter—while the people will save from $30,000
to $40,000 annually.
7th We shall release ourselves from an army of
book-agents and the constant wrangling and power
ful influences of rival book-houses.
Respectfully yonrs,
Warkkm JoH!»80».
MAINE LEGISLATURE.
Senate.
Wednesday, Feb. 16.
Met according to adjournment.'
l’rayer by ltev. Sir. McCcllt of Hallowell.
Records rend and approved.
Papers lrom the House disposed of in con
currence.
On motion of Mr. Cebu txo, the following
House Order was tabled :
Ordered, That the Committee on Federal
Relations he directed to enquire into the ex
pediency of reporting resolves instructing our
Senators and requesting our Representatives
in Congress to favor a reduction of the tajilf
on pig iron from nine dollars per ton to three
dollars per ton.
Sir. Talbot, from Committee on Interior
Waters, reported leave to withdraw, on peti
tion of Hiram Holt & Co. for act to prevent
the throwing of refuse into Wilson Stream.
Mr. liitri M, from Committee on Kduca
tion, on petition of Trustees of Houlton Acad
emy, reported resolve which was ordered to
be printed.
Mr. Lane. from the Judiciary Committee,
reported reference to the Committee on Edu
cation, on hill relating to amendment of sec.
27, chap. 11, Revised Statutes, relating to lo
cution of school houses.
Mr. Wlub, from Committee on Division of
Towns, reported reference to the next legis
lature, on petition of inhabitants of town of
Veazie to be annexed to the city of Uangor.
Mr. Cano, from Joint Select Committee on
State Printing and Rinding, in reference to
the substitution of the Maine State Political
Manual for the Legislative Manual heretofore
published, reported resolve referring the sub
ject to the Governor and Council. Read and
to-morrow assigned.
Mr. Metcalf, from Committee on Banks
and Ranking, reported n bill an aet to incor
porate the llartiund Savings Rank, which was
read once and assigned for to-morrow.
On motion of Mr. W ebb, the bill an act to
authorize the formation ami regulation of
railroad companies was taken from the table
on its passage to be engrossed.
Mr. Webb said lie had not heretofore said
anything upon the subject, and he now pro
posed to offer some remarks. He reviewed
the remarks of the Senators from Cumberland
and Waldo, made yesterday. The people of
Somerset arc opposed to a general railroad
bill. It should be the great desire of legisla
tive bodies to enact laws favorable to the in
terests of the public. A better title for the
bill would be, a bill to injure and cripple the
Somerset railroad company, and all other
railroad companies in the State. He gave a
full history of the Somerset road, and the or
igin of the present general railroad bill. The
Legislature has no right to pass such a bill,
for if it is passed the State ceases to protect,
and assists to destroy. It cannot be urged
that the passage of the bill is necessary to
promote the building of railroads, for it lias
been asserted that any persons can obtain a
charter from the legislature to build a road
anywhere. The fact is, although this hill is
general in its character, it will always lie
special in its application. If submitted to the
people it would receive at their hands a most
emphatic disapproval.
Mr. Lane was much interested in the orig
inal bill, but tile amendments have injured it.
However, if he cannot obtain a whole loaf is
willing to take half a one. Believes the peo
ple of the State demand legislation upon the
subject. We nre told that the State is under 1
obligation to protect the charters granted, hut
such an argument cuts both ways. Differs
entirely from the Senator from Somerset as
to the origin of the bill. It was before the
Judiciary Committee last winter.
Mr. Lamo asked it this questiou of a gener
al railroad law had not been discarded long
before tbe Somerset railroad was thought of.
Mr. Lank, continued. Has no feeling
ngainst the Somerset road, but would do all he
could to help build it and get it out of the way.
We are overrun by requests for railroad leg
islation, and this general bill proposes to cov
er all.
i>ir. iiullaxu oiuvcu me mucumie post*
poneinent of the bill.
On motion ol Mr. Heed, the vote was taken
by Yeas and Nays. The following is the re
sult : Yeas—Messrs. Bartlett, Butf'uiu, Car
will, Collins, Fuller, Gareelon, Holland,
Kingsbury, Lindsey, Metealf, Nealley, Hub
erts, Rulfe, Talbot, Torrey, Webb—16.
Nays—Messrs. Cushing, French, Gibbs, Gray,
Hanson, Lane, Lung, Mayo, Morse, Heed—10.
So the bill was indefinitely postponed.
Messrs. Cleaves and Bolster, and Minot and
Buck paired otf.
Head and astiyned—Bill an act to amend an
act, entitled an act to and amendatory of, and
additional to an act to incorporate the city of
Calais; an act additional to chap. 3, of the
Revised Statutes, relating to town treasur
ers and collectors; an act to authorize the
1st Freewill Baptist Parish in Augusta to
borrow money to pay its debts and mortage its
church and lot to secure the same; an act
authorizing Geo. L. Snow to extend his wharf
into the tide waters of Rockland Harbor; an
act to make valid the doings ofthetownof Dal
ton; resolve relating to Legislative manual;
an act to incorporate the llartland Savings
Bank.
Patted to be engrotted—An act relating to
penalties of selectmen or assessors for mal
feasance in office; an act additional to an act
to incorporate the Calais Railway Company;
an act to authorize the town of Stetson to aid
the Stetson Manufacturing Company; an act
for the incorporation of public cemeteries:
an act to incorporate the Dresden Ice Com
pany; an act to authorize A. L. Frohock et
als.. to extend a wharf iuto tho tide waters of
-CUB-... .-J—■
Penobscot Bay, in the town of Lincolnvillc.
J\used to b* tnarttd—An not to incorporate
the Goose Bond Dam Company ; an act to in
corporate the Anncltescook Steamboat Com
pany; an act to authorize the town of Wayne
to appropriate money to "neourage manutac
I turea; an act to incorporate the Searaporl
j Manufacturing Company ; an art to regulate
I the gathering of cranberries in tha town o:
Lubec; an act to incorporate the I.incolr
Woollen and Cotton Manufacturing Company
an act to authorize William Godfrey, Frnnklir
Brown and Hardy Hinkle-y to construct s
fish weir in the tide waters of Pigeon llill
Hay, in the town of Steuben; also one in the
tide waters of Dyer's Bay, in said town; ar
ae-t to amend an act to incorporate the Maine
General Hospital; an act te> change the name
of the Gardiner District Camp Meeting Asso
ciation; an act to establish the salary of the
Register of Probate of the County of Waldo;
an act to make valiel the acts of the Parish ol
the High Street church in the city of Port
land ; an act to make valid the organization
of the Somerset Hall Company ; nn act addi
tional to chapter 275 of the private atul
special law# of INtitb conferring certain pow
ers on the city of Portland; an act to author
ize Rufus Pickett to construct a fish wier .in
the tide waters in front of his own land on
Pinkham's Island, in the town of Milbridge.
Finally passed—Resolve directing the Land
Agent to designate and set apart certain lots
of land in aid of mills in Moro plantation, in
Aroostook county.
Adjourned.
Petitions, Bills, Ac., Presented and Re
ferred.
By Mr. Buck—Memorial of J. S. Condon
ct als., of Orland. on the subject of forest
trees. Referred to the Committee on Agri
culture.
By Mr. Lindsey—Remonstrance of I). D.
Mann et als.. against consolidation of rail
roads. Referred to the Committee on Rail
roads, Ways and Bridges.
By Mr. Kingsbury—Petition of Directors
of Dexter and Newport railroad, to legalize
the location of railroad over a certain high
way in Newport. Referred to the Committee
on Railroads, Ways nnd Bridges.
By Mr. Webb—Petition of S. G. I-eslie et
als., of Hartiand, to be incorporated by the
name of Corinthian Hall Association. Referred
to the Committee on Legal Reform.
By Mr. Collins—Petition of Harvey Col
Itns for Land Agent to convey to him a cer
tain lot of land. Referred to the Committee
on State Lands nnd State Roads.
By Mr. Holland—Petition of S. Robinson
et als.. of Rumford, in aid of a railroad charter
from Lewiston to Rumford. Referred to the
Committee on Railroads, Ways and Bridges.
By Mr. Lang—Petition of the selectmen
et als., of Roxbury, for an appropriation front
the State. Referred to the Committee on
State Lands and State Roads.
House.
WtusEiVAT, Feb. 1C.
Prayer by Her. Mr. Bartlett ot'tlic House.
Papers from the Senate disposed of in con
currenee.
Head and assigned—An act to authorize
the city of Rockland to aid in the construc
tion of the Lime Rock Railroad; an act in
relation to the Supreme Judicial Court; an
act to amend section 3, chapter 132 of the
Revised Statute, relating to jurisdiction of
Justices of the Peace; an act to repeal an
act entitled “an act providing for reviews in
criminal cases," approved March 3, 13C3.
Senate order relating to reparing or remov
al of State capital, was amended on motion
of Mr. liinks by inserting after the word
“repairs" the words “and for some proper
system of ventilation.” Passed as amended.
On motion of Mr. Farwell,
Ordered, That the Committee on the Judi
ciary be directed to report what amendment is
necessary, it any, to section C of chapter 225
of the public laws of 1SG8, in order to enable
municipal officers to equitably distribute the
surplus bonds and money mentioned in said
section over and above the amounts paid ont
to the “soldiers who enlisted or were drafted
and went any time during the war.”
On motion of Mr. Barium an,
Ordered, That the Committee on the Judi
ciary be requested to inquire into the proprie
ty of repe&ling, abridging or modifying chap,
ter 10 of the Revised Statutes, and subsequent
acts relating to the military, and report at the
earliest convenient day.
On motion of Mr. Mav,
Ordered, That the Secretary of State is
hereby authorized to present to each of the
officiating Chaplains of the House of Repre
sentatives one box of stationery.
Mr. Twitchell requested and was excused
from serving on the Committee on Ranks and
Ranking, and Mr. Mav was appointed to fill
the vacancy.
Mr. liiiowx was appointed to serve on the
Committee on Railroads, Ways and Bridges,
to All a vacancy.
Mr. Vose, from the Judiciary Committee,
on petition of L. D. Stacy for an act to au
thorize the municipal officers to change the
course of small streams, reported leave to
withdraw. ,
Mr. Smith, from the Committee on State
Lands and State Roads, on petition reported
a resolve in aid of building a bridge in planta
tion No. 11, Range 1, in Aroostook County.
Read, assigned and printed under rules.
Mr. Irish, from the same Committee, on
petition reported a resolve in aid of building
a bridge over Reaver Dam Brook, in Island
Falls. Read, assigned and ordered printed
under rule.
Some member from the same Committee,
on petition reported a resolve in favor of
Moses Ferry. Read, assigned and ordered
printed.
Mr. Waterhouse, from the Committee on
Banks and Banking, reported ought to pass
on bill an act to incorporate the Mechanic
Falls Savings Rank. Printed.
Mr. Hammond, from the Committee on In
terior Waters, on bill an act to promote and
improve the navigation of the Kennebec river
reported ought to pass. Printed.
Mr. Hamilton, from the same Committee,
reported ought to pass on bill an act to incor
porate the Branch llykc Company. Read
and assigned.
air. n rstwubth prescnveu me remon
strance of Superintending Seliuol Committee
of North Berwick and Berwick, and remon
strance of school teachers in York county,
against State uniformity of text books, which
was tabled on motion of Mr. Fnrwell.
J'assed to be engrossed—An act to amend an
act to supply the people of Bangor with pure
water; un act to authorize David Hodic to
construct a weir in Frenchmen's Bay, in the
town of Eden; an act to amend sections 10
and 12 of chap. 3 of the Ucviscd Statutes, re
lating to the choice of highway surveyors ; re
solve authorizing the Land Agent to change
the location of a public lot in Castle Hill plan
tation in Aroostook county ; resolve in favor ol
Joseph C. Young; resolve in favor of John G.
Kelso; resolve authorizing the Land Agent to
change the location of public lots in plan No.
11 11. 1, Aroostook county; resolve in favot
of Bachelor H. Huston; resolve for perfect
ing a State deed given by the Land Agent tc
| Isaac Hacker in 1866; resolve in aid of tin
[ Insane Hospital; resolve in favor of Jolir
| Hanacom.
I Bill an act to authorize Richmond L. Wil
i liams to navigate Moose pond, was amcndec
i in the 15th and 16th lines in the first section
by striking out the words “two years” and in
setting in place thereof the words “one year”
Passed to be engrossed as amended
j Passed to be snarled—An act to incorpor
ate the Highland Slate Company; an act t<
set off a part of plantation No. 7, and nnnci
1 the same to the town of Gouldslioro’; an act t<
incorporate the Lewiston and Auburn let
Company; an act to authorize the 1st Fret
Will Baptist Parish of Augusta, to borrov
money to pay its. debts, and mortgage iti
church and lot to secure the same; an act t<
amend chap. 63 of the Bevised Statutes relat
ing to notices in Probate Courts; an act t<
provide for the formation of manufacturing
and other corporations; an act to authorizi
• the tale of the Christian Meeting House it
Albion; nn act to amend an act entitled an
act to incorporate the city of ltockland
Ileaolve in favor of Wilton Academy came
up by assignment! the question being on its
passage to be engrossed.
Mr. Gott as a member of the Committee
from which the rtsolro was reported gave
some of the rensons which influenced them in
■ reporting it. Wilton Academy is the only
i means by which the people of that section can
' give their children an academic education and
they have subscribed largely for its support.
There is at the present time a mortgage of
alxjut $4,000 on the property which will be
: foreclosed unless the requisite amount to take
up the same is forthcoming. The people ex
pect aid and lie thought it the duty of the leg
islature to grant it, and he thought it would
best promote the educational interests of the
State by aiding this elass of institutions.
Mr. Home claimed that the prophesy he
made the other day (that ‘'if the resolve in
favor of the Maine Wesleyan Seminary was
passed it would open the flood gates of appro
priations,”) is fulfilled, lor there are before
the House now three resolves of a like char
acter. He was sorry to oppose this resolve,
but it was not because he was not interested
in educational matters, for he was, and knew
our people need education. The poor peo
ple depend upon their common schools for
education, while the rich man sends his chil
dren abroad. If we can do anything for the
; common schools let us do it, but don't let us
take the money out of the Treasury and put
| it into the pockets of privnte institutions
| thereby depriving the children of this State
of so much school money. Furthermore we
are not in a condition at this time to make
vast appropriations out of the Treasury, and
if these institutions are to be endowed let us
wait until tbe heavy load of taxation is lifted
' from the people.
Mr. Daggett advocated the measure. The
gentleman from Gherryfleld had argued dur
ing a former discussion, that if we passed the
resolve in favor of tl^Maine Wesleyaa Sem
inary, that the flood gates of appropriations
would lie opened. He (Mr. D.,) said we are
to exercise our own judgment upon the merits
of each individual case as it is presented. He
did not think that because he favors one re- !
solve that he was under a moral or legal obli
gation to vote for every appropriation that
conies up, as the gentleman argues. I p to j
lst!3 this Academy received from the State j
about S4.000 when it, with all its property
valued at about $13.1100. was turned over to
the Suite and the State is in the enjoyment of
that property to-day. lie thought it no more
than justice to the people of Franklin county, ]
that this appropriation be made as the State I
has realized the advantage of $13,000. They
do not claim it as a legal obligation but simply
as nn act of justice. He asked members to
look at the merits of each case and not be in
fluenced in their judgment by the assertion
that is made, that if we pass this resolution
the tioofl gates of appropriations are opened
and we must vote for all appropriations. The
gentleman font Cherryfield had spoken of the
great expense. Five thousand dollars are
asked for in this case. This would be to each
inhabitant throughout the (state, a tax of
about five-sevenths of a cent. An enormous ,
tax, the people cannot stand it.
Hr. lli MK.—II we (jo on placing upon the
people four-seventh cents, tax from day to
day until the end of the session it will amount
to something at the end of the session. Maine
Wesleyan Seminary asks for ten thousand.
Pittsfield wants 810.000 more, and the one
under consideration wants 8">.000. Iloulton
wants 84 000, which makes 8-0.000. and so you
go on gentlemen. It was true, that the case un
derconsideration had merits,so will the gentle
man in the third branch from Iloulton when
he presents the merits of their ease, say, hut
the people who send their children to the
common schools have greater merits, and the
idea- is of greater merit that we are not able
to furnish this money to private institutions for •
the benefit of the children of the rich man.
lie knew the expense of attending one of
these institutions, for he had been through the
mill, and the poorer classes cannot attend
these schools. One thing he did not like j
to see, that is, Pittsfield putting up a build- j
and getting into debt for it, with the intention
that the State shall pay the bills.
Mr. Farwei.i., as a member of the Commit
tee on Education, thought it proper that he
should say something in vindication of the j
action ot that committee and of the justness;
of this claim. Me appreciated the economical j
principles of the gentleman from Chcrryfield,
and the care and anxiety always manifested
by him for the poor people and the tax payers,
but he contended that the people of this State
are not to-day more embarrassed, nor do they
find it harder work to pay the taxes than they
have during the last twelve years. This fact
he gleaned from the Register of Probate offices
in tlie State where it is shown that mortgages
on property are very largely on the decrease.
It is well known that they had in Farmington
one of the most flourishing Academies in
M^ine. A few years ago the property- of that
institution amounting to about 813.000 was
given to the State hy the town without any
remuneration, for a Normal School. This !
school is doing a vast amount ol good in fit
ting teachers for schools, but it does not meet i
the requirements of the very large section of |
country of which the Farmington Academy !
was then and the Wilton Academy is now. the
centre. Wilton Academy is the central educa
tional institution for fitting men for college and
every calling in life, for a great many miles
on either side. He submitted to the House if
it was not fair to relieve this school from its :
small indebtedness, which would not have :
befallen it if it had not been for this transfer
to the State. He was for economy hut not
economy of the intellect and brain, lie .loped
the resolution would find tavoiablc response
with the House.
Mr. Hi'me said, he believed his opposition
to this bill, in favor of the principal of re
trenchment, and he regretted exceedingly that
he did not receive the assistance of those gen
tlemen who have been so loud in their asser
tions with regard to retrenchment. He dis
liked very much to stand here, fearing that
the idea might get abroad that he was not a
friend to education. He did not propose to
defend himself as far as this went, but would
refer to his record in his own town. He was
a friend to education and he knew that if this
resolve is passed that there are many petitions
in the pockets of various gentlemen in this
House which would lie presented to-morrow,
and he did not hesitate to «ay that every one
of them lias as good a cause as Wilton Acad
emy or Pittsfield.
air. AKt.x Hrguvu in javur oi me
A high school is deeded in that section, and
the Normal school at Farmington does not
accomplish this purpose because it is tor the
education of teachers. There is a space be
tween the Normal school and the common
schools, and he understood this class of insti
tutions to fill that space. They claim a small
appropriation to enable them to lift a mortgage
from their property, and if it passes under the
mortgage the whole institution must go down
and that county looses benefits. He called
the attention of the House to the fact that it is
a Constitutional duty to endow these institu
tions just as much as to pay any officer of the
State. Supposing ifie appropriations referred
to by the gentleman from Cherryfleld are
granted, Houlton 4000, Wilton 5000 and the
one nlready granted with one or two others
which is all that will be asked for this session,
as far as we know. This amounts to $14,
600 to Ik- drawn from the Treasury this year.
The gentleman from Cherryfleld tells us that
the great State of Maine is not able to do this.
He had reasons for believing that the ralua
j tion of this year will be not less that two
: hundred and fifty millions. This would make
the tax for this 914,600. small indeed, and lie
could not understand why complaint should
: be made.
The gentleman from Cherryfleld says, wait
until we are out of debt. The debt is eight
i millions, and our annual expenses are a mil
i lion and a quarter. Docs the gentleman pro
pose to lapse back into barbarism and stop
the wheels of education until this debt is all
paid? He asked when the gentleman pro
posed resuming this great constitutional duty
1 after laying it aside.
He was » little suspicious that the gentle
man from Cherry'field had not contented him
self with a common school education, but had
gone into the higher regions, and that is what
gives him the vigor nnd cleartless of intellect,
to come here a new member, and a young
man, and take front rank among the debat
ers. Mr. U. protested against this cry of
poverty, inability to discharge a constitutional
duty because we arc in debt. Here we are
sending out at large expense a report on our
water powers and natural resources, spread
ing broad-east over the country this knowl
edge, and inviting capital and men to conic in
here and help develop these natural resources.
And what docs the gentleman from Cherry
Acid do? Stands in this House and says the
people are groaning under the weight of taxa
tion, crushed down to the earth, and the peo
ple are stripped of their earnings, and are liv
ing on bread and water, and are going in rags,
and this is proclaimed through the legislative
paper and goes broadcast over the country.
If there is any thing this State wants, it is
men and capital from other States to develop
her resources, and make us into that great and
mighty State which the Almighty has intend
ed us to be; hut this cry ot poverty and
taxation is not calculated to help us in this
respect.
Mr. 15. continued at some length introduc
ing statistical evidence to show the increase
-of the population and wealth of Maine, and
argued that the State is able to help these ed
educational institutions.
Mr. Mime replied. He knew he was
placed in a peculiar position in measuring
swords with the gentleman from Augusta.
But the reason he felt strong was because he
knew he had the people behind him. If
we followed out the theory of the gentleman
from Augusta, when he says that we are as
much bound to appropriate the money as w ■
are to pay our State officers, then he should
ask for aid,000 tor Cherry Acid Academy, and
you are in duty bound to pay it. This
theory is fulse. He asked when we are to
get out out of debt, if we do not begin at some
time to retrench.
Mr. Hi'Mi’iiREV ns a member of the Com
mittee on Education, said they were in tavor
of retrenchment, but thought it should he in
the proper direction. He thought it poor
economy to shut off appropriations from these
institutions. lie combatted the idea that they
are for the rich man's children, he hud
been connected with these schools as teacher,
and knew whereof lie spoke. It is not for
the rich that this endowment is asked but for
the poor. The rich can take care of them
selves but the poor cannot.
Mr. Usees did not want to take up the at
tention of the Mouse for the facts in the case
had been fully set torth in the remarks of the
gentleman from Augusta, and others who had
spoken. 11c favored the resolve because be
thought it just and rigiit, and he believed
there was not a gentleman upon the Aoor of
the House, who after reading the statement of
facts and fully understanding the matter hut
what would say it is a just endowment. Mr.
O. continued briefly in favor of the measure.
Mr. Sticks e k favored the resolve
lie cause he was in favor of common schools.
Our common schools need good teachers as
well ns good school houses, and it is from these
higher schools that we must get these teach
ers. In order that we have good high schools
it is necessary that they shouid he endowed
with the means to make them such. lie
hoped this resolve would pass, and also that
the other amounts asked for these other insti
utions of like character would pass.
Mr. Minks said he should vote against the
measure, not because he was the enemy of ed
ucation <>r these higher institutions of learn
ing, hut because he wished that those who re
ceived the beneflts of these institutions to pay
their own expenses believing that the educa
tion therein received is worth all that it costs.
In his town there is one of these institutions,
but not one-tenth of the scholars of that town
will ever enter it as scholars. Then why tax
tlie nine-tenths for the benefit of the other one
tenth? Me believed our constitutional duties
fulAiled when we take care of our Normal
schools and Agricultural College.
<•11 . 1/.1KLMU IIHM m uiv Iiiuvunikc J'viak
poneinent of the resolve.
Mr. Far well moved and the House ordered
the previous question, thus limiting the debate
to five minutes each.
Mr. Bradford did not consider that we
are obliged constitutionally, or as representa
tives of our constituents, to vote away money
for any private institutions. If we can spare
the money let us vote it to our common
schools. The gentleman from Cherryfield
had said that he feared he was alone. He
(Mr. Bradford) assured him that he was not
alone on this question, and our people also
are not willing to be taxed for any private
class of citizens.
Mr. Wasson argued against the passage of
the resolve.
Mr. Foss advocated the resolve, becausehe
thought it in favor of the poor scholars. He
claimed them to be the poor children's colleges,
and he thought it penurious to deny them
to us.
Mr. Smith of Litchfield, advocated the
passage of the resolve.
Mr. Bartlett followed on the same side.
Mr. Hlme replied.
The House ordered the main question,
which was on the passage of the resolve, to
be engrossed, and on this question the House
ordered the yeas and nays, on motion of Mr.
Baker, which, being taken, resulted in the
affirmative by 61 yeas and 55 nay*, as follows :
Yeas—Messrs. Adams of Mayfield, linker. Bar
ker, Barton, Bartlett, Be a re e of Lewiston, Bcaree
of Turner. Berry of Buxton, Bird, Bliss, Brackett,
Burgess, Clark of Beadfleld, Cox, Crockett, Cush
ing, Daggett. Dearborn, Dennett, Douglass, Duncan,
Farwell, Foss, Foster of Argyle, Gannett. Gates,
Gott, Could, Green, Hammond of Westbrook. Ham
mond of Paris, Harding, Harriman, Hathorn,
llawes, Holbrook, Holman, Humphrey. Hussey,
Irish, Lewis of Lil>erty, Main, McLain, Newcomb,
Phillips, Pierce. Powers, Purinton, Sawyer. Smith
of Hodgdon, Smith of Litchfield, Stickney, Sturgis.
Thurlough, Vose, Warren, Waterhouse,’ Wheeler,
Whidden, Wilder, Wilson —61.
Nay#—Messrs. Allan, Ames, Berry of Dntnaris
cotta, Boyd, Boothby, Bradford, Brawn, Brown,
Burnham, Chase of Woodstock, Chase of Winn,
Clark of Holden. Cole, Conforth, Darling, Davis,
(Jreeulicf, Gup till. Ham, Hinks, Hume, Jones, .Ior
dan of Minot, Jordan of Brunswick, Kimball. Leigh
ton, Lewis of Pittslon, Libby. Lord, Murtin. Mason,
Mav, Mayo Mclhmgal, McKown, Means, Mears,
Mills, Milliken, Moulton, Peavey, Plummer, Sar
gent. Sherman of Camden, Sherman of Islesboro’,
Smith of Warren, Smith of Parsonsfleld, Spaulding,
Stover, Twitchell, Wasson, Wewtou, Wentworth,
Whitehoiihe, Young.—ftft.
AnsENT—Messrs. Adams of Biddeford, Alexan
der, Bean, Blake, Bonncy, Burbank, Campbell,
Chamberlain, Cotton, Cousins, Dunning, Folsom.
Hamilton, Lane, McGilvery, MiUlram. Nickerson,
Palmer, Pattcu, Pray, Bay, Heed, ltiggs, Skinner,
Smith of Saco, Stone, Thompson, Tobey, Watts,
White, Whitney —31.
So the resolve had a passage.
air. iilmk asaeu aim ooiaincu leave to
change his vote.
Mr. Minks moved to reconsider tlie vote
whereby bill an act additional to chapter 3 of
the Revised Statute, relating to town treasur
ers and collectors, was passed to be engross
ed, and that his motion lay on the table and
to-morrow (Thursday) be assigned for its
further consideration, which was done.
On motion of Mr. Jukes,
Adjourned.
KILLS, PETITIONS, &C., PRESENTED AND RE
FERRED.
By Mr. Bliss—An act to amend section 2
of chap. 87 of the Revised Statutes, relating
to executors and administrators.
By Mr. Cousins—Unanimous protest of the
inhabitants of Kennebunkport, in town meet
ing, against the road prayed for by William
Curtis et als., of Bidcford; also vote relating
to straightening the town line.
By Mr. Swith of Parsonsfleld—Petition ol
G. S. Pendexter et als., for the election of a
new board of trustees of Parsonsiield Semi
nary.
By Mr Ricos—Bill an act in relation to the
assessment and collection of taxes for the
town of Phipsburg for the year 1869.
The foregoing were referred to the Com
mittee on the Judiciary.
The following were referred to the Com
mittee on Railroads, Ways and Bridges :
By Mr. Boothby—Remonstrance of Mor
timer Bodwell and 52 others of Solon, against
consolidation.
By Mr. Lord—Petition of John Merrill
and 75 others of Sanford, for legalization of
the doings of said town in voting to exchange
State of Maine Itonds for stock in the 1’. & U.
Railroad.
liy Mr. Patten—Petition of Oliver Moses
President of the K. &■ L. Railroad Company,
for leave to amend tlieir charter so as to con
nect their road with the P. 4 K. Railroad by
■mans of a ferry; also for leave to issue sec
ond mortgage Itonds.
By Mr. Gannett—Petition of Oliver Moses
and IS2 others of Bath, for change in chap. 70
of the laws of I860, relating to fisheries; of
Lincoln Webb and 06 others of Woolwich, in
aid of same; of John H. MeLellan and 62
others of Bath, in aid of same.
By Mr. Hume—Petition of J. It. Parker et
als., of Steuben, for a general fish law or
special law for propagation of fish in said
town; of M. II. Lewis et als., of Steuben,
that Kdward Hilton may be allowed to build
a fish weir in front of his own land in said
town.
The foregoing were referred to the Com
mittee on fisheries.
By Mr. Blake—Petition of G. Adams et
als., for an act to prohibit the trapping of
birds.
By Mr. Baker—An act additional to chap.
90 of the Revised Statutes, concerning mort
gages of real estate.
Referred to the Committee on Legal Re
form.
By Mr. IIume—Petition of Henry Wilson et
als., of Mars Hill, asking for investigation
and redress of grievances.
By Mr. Wilson—Petition of Benj. Tilton
et als., of Charleston, for same.
Referred to the Investigating Committee on
Palter Credita.
By Mr. Allen—Petition of selectmen of
Corinna for a town Fire Insurance Company.
By Mr. Clark of Keadficld—Remonstrance
of James F. Blunt and 45 others of Mt. Ver
non, against taxing foreign Insurance Compa
nies.
Referred to the Committee on Insurance.
By Mr. Bradford—Resolve to refund cer
tain money to Wm. Brown.
By Mr. Smith of Hodgdon—Petition of
Robert Boyd et als. for appropriation on road
from Oakficld to Island Fulls.
Referred to the Committee on State Lands
and State Roads.
By Mr. Junes—Petition of Elliot Smith et
als., for preservation of forest trees. Refer
red to the Committee on Agriculture.
By Mr. Gannett—Bill an act in relation to
Savings Institutions. Referred to the Com
mittee on Banks and Banking.
By Mr. Baker—An act to authorize cities
and towns to aid ill promoting manufactures
therein. Referred to the Committee on Man
ufactures.
By Mr. Cousins—Remonstrnnce of John
A. Wheeler and 347 others of Kcnnebunkport
against the road prayed for by Win. Curtis
and others of Biddeford.
Petition of Isabella A. Ray,- for change of
name.
Pailg $Umu(jfc $ournaL
AUOt'STA,
Thursday Morning, February 17, 1870.
RAILWAY NOTICE.
WEDNESDAY, Feb. £!l> is by the Com
mittee ou liailroaiis. Ways ami Bridge#, for a hear
ing up<>u petition# for a charter f«»r the •*.»rthern
ArtMlook Ilmlruad” t also ou petii«>ut> for the char
ter of the •• llnnyor and Houlion Railroad "
l*er order,
tl7ieb*lw T. II. CUSHING, Chairman.
Slate of Maine.
In Senate, Jan S, INTO.
Ordered, The House concurring. Hint all petitions
for private legislation, except “petitions for redress
ot wrongs and grievances" which shall be presented
to this Legislature alter the llrst day of February
next, be referred to the next Legislature, and that
tins order be published in the Unity Kennebec Jour
mil until that date.
Head and passed ; sent down for concurrence
SAMI LI. W. LANK, Secretary.
In House of Keprenentatives, i
Jan. it. 1870. |
Read, amended by striking out the word "firtt.”
and Inserting in lien thereof the word •• twentieth,"
and passed Neill up for concurrence.
s. J. CHAUltOURNE, Clerk.
In Senate, Jan. M. 1870.
The Senate receded and concurred wjth the House.
SAMUEL W. LANK, Secretary.
A true copy.
Attest: SAMUEL W. LANE, Secretary.
Mr. Mnrtou of Indiana, has introduced a
bill to the Senate forjhe enforcement of
the Fifteenth Amendment. It provides
that all citizens of the United States with
out distinction of race or previous condi
tion of servitude, who are otherwise
qualified by law to vote, shall be entitled
to vote at all elections for President, or
members of Congress, and at all State,
county, township and municipal elections
held under the authority of the United
States or of any State. In cases where
the assessment of any tax is a qualifica
tion of an elector, the refusal or willful
neglect to assess or collect such tax is
made punishable by a line of not less than
$500 and imprisonment for one month, and
the forfeiture of $500 additional for each
offense. The judges of the election who
shall refuse to receive the votes of such
person are to be punished to the same ex
tent. The Circuit and District Courts of
the United States are given the jurisdic
tion over all the proceedings under the
above provisions.
Georgia is a country of interest. The
revenue officers in the State find it very
troublesome to perform their duties. The
laws are openly defied, and those who un
dertake to inform against law breakers
are in danger of destruction of property
and life. General Terry has been applied
to for assistance, the only hope.of peace or
security being in the strong arm of the
government.
The reply of Mr. l);i\ves to the Chair
man of the Itcpublicau State Committee of
New Hampshire, “that economy and re
form can be secured only by keeping the
republican party in power,” is an unkind
cut for those democrat* who have been
making much of him for a few weeks.
Mr. Dawes is quite right in what he says,
if New York is an instance of democratic
economy.
The Legislature of Georgia yesterday
elected as United States Senators, Foster
Blodgett for the term ending in 1877, Col.
H. I'. Farron for the term ending 1873,
and Mayor Whijely for *e teVlu ending
1871. Col. Farron is the Attorney Gener
al and Mayor Whitely is Solicitor General
of the Inferior Court.
The Filteenth Amendment has been rat
ified by the Texas Legislature. The Four
teenth has passed the House. The Presi
dent of the Senate has been unseated for
ineligibility.
Alonso B. Merrill has been appointed post
master at Olamon in place of C. S. Weld, re
signed.
LETTER FROM WARlllSOTOF.
Washixotok. Feb. 14, 1870.
The Caban question which had been put
quietly to deep by the opiate* of Senator*
Sumner and Fi«h and the lullabies of it* cabi
net nurse*, ha* again been galvanised into life
j by Senator Sherman, who introduced a reso
■ lution last Friday expressing sympathy for
the Cuban insurgents and according to them
belligerent rights. The resolution was refer
red to the Committee on Foreign llelations.and
Senator Sherman hoped it would be consider
ed promptly by thym. Senator Sumner,
chairman of that committee, said they had
considered the subject, but the facts which
had been brought to their notice had not been
such as to warrant any definite action. Sen
ator Sherman thought the fact that Spain had
| built thirty gunboats in our ports to put down
what was termed a little rebellion, was a suffi
cient excuse for his resolution. The course
of Spain has become so very unpopular that
it is quite likely Congress will ere long give
! belligerent rights to the Cabans. There really
seems but a miserable excuse left why it
should not do so. The Southern and Cuban
rebellious arc not at all analogous. No one
disputes that the South fought on the side of
oppression; no one can deny that the Cubans
are fighting against it. While there was hope
: that the revolution in Spain might result in
the establishment of a republic in that unhap
py land, we had a plausible reason for not in
terfering in the Cuban question and thus pos
sibly jeopardizing the republican cause in
Spain; but now, after waiting patiently for
many months, during which the hope of lib
; erty in Spain has been buried in the graves of
its thousands of martyrs, the excuse ha*
vanished.
The opinion of Chief Justice Chase, which
has been long expected by those in high posi
tions, has at last been delivered, denying the
constitutionality of the action of Congress in
declaring greenbacks to be a legal-tender for
debts contracted prior to the passage of the
act. The opinion does not pretend to gainsay
the right of Congress to declare greenbacks a
legal-tender fur all debts arising after the
passage of the national currency act. This
action though, as I have before said, not un
expected, was yet rather surprising, and has
been, of course, much talked of in political
circles, in a quiet way. however. There doc*
, not seem to be any particular excitement
about it. The Chief Justice is considered as
having written another epitaph for his politi
cal tombstone, and most effectually killed
himself in this last act of the drama. It is
expected that after the two new Judges of the
Supreme Court are chosen some other similar
cases will conic before that court for final
decision, when the present opinion will be
i overruled. It does not seem likely that the
opinion will create any serious disturbance in
business.
. 1 lie Senate ii engaged in discussing and
! amending the hill to aboliih the franking
' privilege, and the House it at work toldering
! the leaks in the appropriation bill, which ap
j peart to be almost as full of holes at a sieve.
; On Thursday a long and amusing debate took
place on the motion of Gen. Butler to strike
: out the compensation for mileage of member*
j and to reduce the total appropriation for their
compensation, from $1,500,000 to 91,000,000.
Muring the debate Mr. (“Sun Set”) Cox of
New York, made a covert attack upon Gen.
Butler, in reply to which the General brought
down the whole house and gallcriea by telling
Mr. Cox in his peculiarly sarcastic way that
he (Cox) would bear his answer to him made
by every shoe-black and news-boy—“Shoo
fly; don't bodder me!” This enraged the
honorable “Sun Set" to such a degree that he
got up and said that the gentleman from
Massachusetts was well known throughout
the country and on the floor of the House at
a “bad man," when he was called to order by
Mr. Hoar of Massachusetts, the brother of
the Attorney-General, who, by the way, seems
to have taken his rejection by the Senate for
the position ot Associate Justice of the Su
1 preme Court, very quietly. It seems a pity
i that the -members of that honorable body
could not have laid aside their personal pique
(the real secret of the Attorney-General’s re
jection and not on account of locality) caused
by Judge Hoar’s abrupt manner, and hare
placed him on the Bench, where there was
i never more need of sound and able men than
at the present time. No one disputes the
Attorney-General's eminent fitness for the
high position, and there would have been a
poetic justice in placing him in the S. Carolina
Circuit, his father, also a Judge of great abil
ity, having been driven out of that State years
ago because of opposition to the peculiar in
stitution. The President was considerably
displeased by the action of the Senate, he
having taken a personal liking to Judge Hoar.
This calls two mind two facts which are prob
ably not generally known, viz : that General
Grant inv ited Secretary Boutwell first to the
Interior Department, and upon Mr. Boutwell
calling upon the President to decline the
proffered honor the latter asked him to recom
mend some one for Attorney-General, and
Mr. Hoar’s name being mentioned the Presi
dent immediately decided to nominate him.
Judge Hoar will probably remain in the cabi
net, of which he is regarded as an able
member.
PIT. Uinillt. ■ suvv«.«o mm* ■ <*»Vi
of the National House of liepreientatives,
was not unexpected by tlioae who remember
the remarkable celerity with which he dis
patched the business of the Maine House of
Ucpresentalives. To fill the position occu
pied by Mr. Colfax was no easy undertaking,
as there probably was never a more popular
presiding officer in the House than he; bus
your honored llepresentative has reflected
credit both upon himself and his adopted State
by the masterly manner in winch be has thus
far acquitted himself. He has one great ad
vantage over Mr. Colfax, in having » very
powerful voice, which can be distinctly heard
in all parts of the House, Mr. C’s voice be
ing of rather small compass for so large a
hall. In his weekly receptions, also, Mr.
lilaine shines in equal lustre with those
charming, popular entertainments of Mr.
Colfax's j and here, also, Speaker Blaine has
the advantage of an accomplished wife to assist
him, who adds not a little to the interest of
the occasion. Their new residence is very
fine, both outwardly and inwardly. The
furniture and upholstery is said to have been
imported from Europe. Their receptions,
like those of the President and Mrs. Grant,
are free to all.
As is the custom, the Vice President does
not hold receptions. The President’s recep
tions are held every two or three weeks—
always on Thursday. The next will be on
the 24th inst. Mrs. Grant receives everybody
each Tuesday between 2 and 4 r. u. General
Sherman and wife receive every Tuesday eve
ning. The wives of the Cabinet officers, and
also Mrs. Blaine, receive each Wednesday
afternoon. Secretary Fish’s magnificent card
receptions occur every Friday evening. He
is the wealthiest man in the Cabinet and lives
in a style of elegance to correspond. The
other members of the Cabinet are not so for
tunate in this world’s possessions and live in
a loss sumptuous style.
“OcdxsioxaLtv."