this city. The Republican and Democratic committees made the best arrangements possible, packing the movable seats closely in the hall, giving large space for standing, and reserving the south gallery for the ladies. A great many strangers were in the city, who had come long distances to hear the discussion, from Derry, Londonderry, Auburn, Candia, Hooksett, Suncook, Goffstown, New Boston, Weare, and other towns. An extra train came down over the Central road for the occasion. The city marshal, with his well-drilled, systematic police force, took charge of admitting and giving places to the dense throng. The doors were not opened till a quarter to seven, and then everything went like clock-work, so much have the police the confidence of the public, so earnest was each party to carry out the arrangement to the letter. When the speakers and officers of the occasion arrived, passing through the back entrance to the stage, the scene was beautiful to behold. Hall and galleries presented literally "a sea of upturned and down-turned faces." Every nook and corner was full, and after cheers of welcome the audience was still as if at church.

The "Mirror" then goes on to state who called the meeting to order, who were announced as officers (there being one president and twenty-four vice-presidents from each of the two parties); that John B. Clarke, president on the part of the Republicans, stated the agreement between the nominees to be that there should be no expression of approval or disapproval by the audience while they were discussing, and that both parties in the city were very desirous that this agreement should be carried out to the letter; that General Harriman had the opening and close on this occasion, and would speak one hour, to be followed by Hon. John G. Sinclair an hour and a half, and then close with a speech of half an hour. The "Mirror" continues:

He then introduced General Harriman. We do not propose to give an outline of the remarks of either speaker.

General Harriman devoted the hour chiefly to the new Reconstruction Bill just passed by Congress. His exposition of that is masterly, far excelling any speech made in Congress upon the bill. The audience was probably the largest ever assembled within doors in the State, and the first hour's speech, take it all in all, was fully up to the occasion, and the ablest political one, the most compact and convincing, that we ever heard in that hall. Able, learned, systematic, and in places very eloquent, high-minded, soaring above party and petty personal allusions, he held the audience as if spell-bound, and made all his hearers, for the time being, lovers of their whole country, of the Union, of liberty and independence thoughout the world. He spoke not as a politician, but as a patriot, a statesman and philanthropist, and his noble sentiments had such power of conviction that it was impossible to ward off the result by argument.

The "Mirror then states that Mr. Sinclair was introduced; that he spoke his hour and a half, and that his speech was forcible and able; that General Harriman rejoined in a speech of thirty minutes, in praise of which the "Mirror" is enthusiastic, saying among other things, "The reply was marvelous."

[From the "Manchester Union," August, 1881.]

JOINT POLITICAL CANVASSING.

The "New Haven Register," referring to the joint canvass which Major Daniel and Colonel Cameron, the Democratic and repudiation candidates, are making in Virginia, inquires, 'Why wouldn't this be a good custom to introduce into political campaigns in the Northern States?' The custom is a good one to follow anywhere, when the candidates are good speakers, as happens to be the case with Major Daniel and his antagonist. But when neither one, or only one, of the opposing candidates can make a creditable speech upon the stump, the situation is different. It is generally, or at least very often the case, especially in New England, that

the men nominated by both parties for governor are not favored with oratorical gifts. They are more frequently substantial business men, of practical experience and executive ability, who make excellent governors, but make no pretensions as speakers. Fourteen years ago, however, as most of our people well remember, the rival candidates for governor in this State-Hon. John G. Sinclair and General Walter Harriman-engaged in a joint canvass, speaking together in most of the important towns. This was, indeed, one of the most notable joint discussions ever had in this country. The participants were well known as the most effective campaign orators the State has produced for a quarter of a century past, and the interest aroused was almost universal.

CHAPTER XXI.

GOVERNOR. FIRST TERM.

1867.

ON Thursday, June 6, 1867, General Harriman was inaugurated governor of New Hampshire, with imposing demonstrations. The state militia, in full uniform and equipment, and to the number of twenty companies, was on duty. His inaugural message, delivered in the presence of both houses of the legislature, and a multitude of other eager listeners, was a production of excellent matter, fitly enforced by impressive delivery, and received its due of warm applause. In the evening the governor, with his wife and daughter, held a grand popular reception at the residence of Colonel Thomas W. Stewart.1 Music by a band and dancing on the carpeted lawn helped fill with enjoyment the pleasant hours, while the living mass filling the entire square paid respect to the happy occasion by their friendly presence. No such levee had then ever been held in the State. No fewer than four thousand ladies and gentlemen

were present.

The governor's message 2 contained suggestions and recommendations which became the subjects of immediate legislative action. In accordance with such recommendation, a bill came before the legislature giving manufacturers the right to erect dams and to flow land, under wholesome restrictions, a right hitherto not existing in New Hampshire. The bill received great favor in the legislature, but as it introduced a new principle into the state policy, it was

1 At corner of South and Pleasant streets. This, some years later, became the governor's permanent abode.

2 Portions of the message are printed at the end of the chapter.

thought prudent to allow the people to consider the measure for a year. After such consideration the bill was made a law at the next session of the legislature, and Governor Harriman had the satisfaction of giving it his official approval. Considering the importance of manufacturing in New Hampshire, and how much its prosperity involves that of other industries, the wisdom of the measure cannot be disproved. But it required some boldness and independ ence to make the recommendation in face of the longstanding prejudices of the people. No one, however, can estimate the immense advantage this law has already been, and is yet to be, not only to the manufacturing interests of the State, but to all others intertwined.

On the governor's recommendation, also, an important change was made in the school laws, whereby, for county commissioners, one state superintendent, with a different board of education, was substituted. He drew the original bill himself, but it underwent some amending that did it no good. It was, however, as passed, a wholesome and progressive measure, and permanently established a department of public instruction in New Hampshire. "Never before has there been here," said in 1868 the first superintendent appointed under the new law, "so decided a recognition of the fact that popular education is a public interest that rightfully claims its special department of undivided official effort, its safe deposit of records, and its established centre of statistical and other peculiar information, in common with other important interests which have always had such claim allowed. This recognition only puts popular education upon an equality with finance and the militia. That it deserves the rank thus assigned it few, I think, will deny."

The governor suggested that, to secure a better selection of jurors, the selectmen should be required by law annually, when regulating the jury-box, to post up a list of the names placed therein, "thus openly subjecting their conduct to the observation and criticism of the people." The legislature thought well of the plan of reform recommended by him, but one of the judges of the Supreme Court had another; so between the two the whole matter went over.