Page:The Granite Monthly Volume 10.djvu/168

 1^8 Ho7i. Ezra Scollay Stearns.

from the Committee Oil Publication : leaders of the house. First among fulfilled the obligations he assumed, twenty years ago was that of refund- and has produced a work that meets ing to the towns the money expended our warmest approval and unqualified by them in filling the quota of troops, endorsement. Yielding to the desire As it was proposed that the state of the author, we reluctantly refrain assume the town indebtedness, which from a more particular expression of then amounted to more than five mill- Our estimate of the sterling character ion dollars, it will be readily under- of the volume, and of our ready ap- stood how stupendous the proposition preciation of the vigor of thought and was, and what dangers it involved, felicity of expression." It is the The state debt in 1866 was about four earnest hope of Mr. Stearns's readers million dollars, and while our credit that his pen will not be idle in the was sound and we were able to bor- vears to come, but that he will con- row, yet in view of the additional tinue his historical labors and con- burden of five million dollars, a se- tribute to our state literature. rious impairment might be produced. Mr. Stearns coming of age at about The mere suspicion that the state the time the Republican party started might assume the town debts tended in its magnificent career, became one to disturb our financial standing, and of its stauuchest members. With yet the advocates of such a dangerous voice and pen he upheld its acts and course were not wanting. The towns, policies, and was soon regarded as so they argued, unused to such taxa- one of the most prominent Republi- tiou, were becoming alarmed at the cans in his section of the state. In constant accumulation of indebted- 1864, at the comparatively youthful age ness, and most serious results must of twenty-six, lie was elected a mem- follow unless prompt measures were berof the house of representatives, and taken to relieve their distress. On was reelected in 186r)-'66-'67 and '70, the other hand, the opponents of as- serving on the Committees on Judi- sumption, admitting that the burdens clary, Railroads, Elections, and Edu- imposed by the war were heavy and cation, being chairman of the last hard to bear, contended that peace two. and the restored order of things would In the important legislation of that bring about a deliverance, and that period immediately succeeding the with patience and economy all would Civil War he bore a leading jiart, come out well. * advocating all needful measures for So important had this question be- maintaining the credit and reestab- come that it was recognized as the lishing the affairs of the state, and leading one of the day, and engrossed winhing for himself a reputation as a public attention from Coos to Rock- debater whigh rarely comes to any ingham. The legislature of 1865 man in his twenties. His abilities passed an act "for the purpose of were speedily recognized and appre- ascertaining and allowing the war ciated, and by common consent he expenditures of the several towns was soon looked upon as one of the and cities in the state," and in com-
 * 'Mr. Stearns has faithfully and ably the questions vexing the public mind

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