The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1858-01-15
Gbs guipn una sournal.
FRIDAY MORNING, JAN. Is, 1855.
Editorial Correspondence

Editorial Correspondence
AUGUSTA, Jan'y 0, 1858.
The Legislature has accomplished in
the four days It has been in session as
much or more work than is usual in the
same space of time. The government for
the year has been fully organized and put
in working order, and with great har-
mouy Of feeling in the dominant party.
The Inaugural address Of Gov. Morrill,,
pronounced orally after the oaths were
administered to him yesterday, ELECTS the
highest praise from all quarters. 1t was
heard by large audience besides the
members of the two branches, and the
Inaugural ceremonies were quite interest.
ing. The President Of the Senate, Hon.
Seth Seaman, presided and performed
his constitutional duty Of administering
the oaths to the Governor elect, with COM
mendablc dignity and case. The Gov
ernor was something over an hour in de-
livering his address.
To-day has been somewhat a leisure
day. No business except that ofqualify.
ing six Of the seven councillors elect hav.
ing been done worth naming. Two
members of the old council, namely Hon
VIM. NJ. Reed, of Lincoln, and Hon. Geo
Pierce of Cumberland have been retain
ed in the new. The councillor from tht
York and Oxford District, Hon. Benz
Freeman of Bethel, is quite young man
comparatively speaking. He was select
cd by the delegation from Oxford, thu
members from York yielding the selection
to Oxford in accordance with some ar
rangement made between the delegate
last year.
The Speaker Of the House, Hon. JOSIAH
II. Drummond, gives promise of making
an excellent presiding officer. He has
fine voice which is heard with distinct
ness all over the Hall, complete self.pos
session, and is courteous and gentleman
ly in his manners. Our predilection'
were for his unsuccessful competitor, Mr.
johnson, but VIC nevertheless feel that thu
House in selecting Mr.. Dummond have
succeeded in obtaining presiding Officer
who will fill the speakers chair will
credit to himself and to the general sat
isfaction Of its members.
The organization of both branches re
fleets credit on the members. There !,
not man selected either for the high OF
the subordinate officers, who is not abun
dainty qualified for the place to which
he has been preferred, and who does
not possess the confidence and respect o
his fellow citizens.
deem it an appropriate time to say
word Of the Hon. Joseph II. Williams
who yesterday, by the silent workings o
the constitution, quietly passed from thu
gubcrnatorial office to the station Of {
private citizen. Called to the discharge
Of the executive office by the provisions
of the constitution which apply in the
case Of n vacancy, he has so discharged
its varied and responsible duties as tc
secure to himself the universal respect
and to establish the conviction that fol
ability, integrity and intelligence in the
discharge ofolficial trust, he has not been
excclled by any of his predecessors who
have received the Office by virtue Of the
popular vote. Too much can hardly be
said in his praise. Honest in purpose,
unassuming in dcmcanor, firm when firm
ness is necessary, yet ever willing to give
respectful consideration to the opinions
Of others, and man Of moro than ordi-
nary culture and intellectual attainment,
he has won golden opinions from those
who have been associated with him in
watching over the interests of the State.
AS public officer everything which he
has touched he has adorned. He retires
to the quiet walks of private life where
his transformations virtues and republican
simplicity of character will continue to
strengthen the respect and esteem which
is felt tor him in the community which is
honorcd by having him for fellow citi-
zen.
The Inaugural ball here last evening
! learn, was n brilliant affair. ] did not
attend, my dancing days are over, but
those who were there talked cloqucntly
Of the beauty Of the ladies and their
superb dancing. Loo.
Maine Legislature.
"Wednesday. Jan. q. 1853.