Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-01-26
MAINE LEGISLATURE.
Senate.
TUESDAY, Jan. 2

TUESDAY, Jan. 20
PRAYER by Rev. Mr.. Herring of Gardiner.
Records read and approved.
Papers from the House disposed of in con-
currence.
Petition of j. ii. Sprague ct ais, in regard
to holding September term OF S. }. Court at
Pressure Isle, from the House, was tabled on
motion of Mr.. LANE.
A communication received from the Secre-
tary of State transmitting a schedule showing
the number of days the S. j. Court was held
in the several counties in the State at the trial
terms for the years 1868 and 1863, was on mo-
ton of Mr.. CUSHING, laid upon the table and
ordered to be printed.
Passed to 5eengrosed.-Bill an act to au-
thorize the Pennington Village Corporation to
raise money to aid in the extension of the
Andfoscoggin Railroad and to contract for ex-
tension; an act to increase the salary of
Judge of Probate of Waldo county.
Passed to be enaoted-An act to authorize
Dyer P. Jordan to extend his wharf in the
city of Ellsworth; an act to authorize the
Belfast and Moosehead Lake Railroad Com
pany to lease their road and for other purposes
an act to amend chap. 1876 of the laws of
1863, entitled an act to annex the city Of Au-
burn to the city of Lewiston; an act to incor-
porate the Missionary Society of the York and
Cumberland Christian Conference.
Finally Passed-Resolyei in commemoration
of the character and services of Edwin NJ
Stanton.
On motion of Mr.. CUSHING,
Ordered, That that part of the Railroad
Commissioners Report relating to stopping
Engines at railroad crossings, and that part
relating to power of Railroad Commissioners
to interfere in regard to speed of railroad trains
on defective tracks, be referred to Committee
on Railroads, Ways and Bridges.
Order from the House in relation to the
Peabody ceremonies at Portland sent in and
read, and on motion of Mr.. CLEAvEs the Senate
insisted on its former vote and appointed the
following committee of conferences Messrs.
Cleaves of Oxford, Gray of Kennebec and
Buck of Hancock.
On motion of Mr.. REED, the Report of Com
mittee on Revised Statutes was taken from
the table and referred to Committee on Legal
Reform On motion of same, Memorial of j.
Z. Godfrey ct ais, was taken from the table
and referred.
On motion of Mr.. HOLLAND, petition of
James Devine was taken from the table and
he was granted leave to withdraw.
The Committee on Conference in regard to
the Peabody ceremonies reported that the
Senate recede and concur with the House.
Mr.. NEALLY of York said:
IL
marks upon the subject matter now before the
Senate, and l promise you, sir, and this hon
orable body that they shall be brief, and as
much to the point as can make them.
The question before the Senate now is, will
the Senate recede, and concur in the order
Of the House, and vote to attend as body the
ceremonies to take place at Portland when
the remains of the late George Peabody shall
be landed there, as expected. And, Mr..
President, think it is very evident to all who
have taken the pains to ascertain the TACT by
proper enquiry among the members OF the
Legislature, that all agree that some measures
should be adopted, whereby the Legislature
shall be represented in those ceremonies, and
it is equally evident to my mind that large
majority are in favor of the order of the
House, attend the ceremonies in a body, and
thus testify the high respect they have for the
yirtu0us and noble principles SO beautifully
exemplifed by George Peabody during his
life time, as well as to express their respect
for his memory, now that he has ended his
pilgrimage here, and passed into higher life,
and thus desiring, why should they not do it
What is the objection? Is there any impro
priety in their doing so? Let us see. The
order which passed the Senate, and was
amended in the House looked to the Legisla-
ture adjourning when they should learn Of
the arrival Of the ships bearing the body of
our illustrious citizen at Portland, that the
members might attend the ceremonies if they
choose. If that was proper and right it seems
TO me it is much greater mark OF respect tor
the Legislature to adjourn and go officially in
q body. But, Mr.. President, why should we
as a Legislative body take action to honor the
memory of the man whose mortal remains are
being borne across the Atlantic, and now near
ing our shores, at the cost of so much time
and money, and with so much display and
ceremony? And might ask why it is that
two powerful nations have We'd with each
other in doing unheard of honors-only in
this case--to the memory of private citizen
to George Peabody! Is it because he was
rich mani That he accumulated those riches
to millions by foresight, business tact, and
honest integrity? ! think not 1t is in my
judgment the public approval of the way he
used those riches while living-and the man
ner Of the disposition of the balance of them
at death. George Peabody was poor boy.
He knew what ii was in his early days to
struggle with poverty and its sad surround
ings--and when in the providence of God he
found himself rich, surrounded by all the
he.e:s and comforts that riches may give
when properly used-he did not forget the
poor as too many often debut he made those
riches blessing-not only to himself-but
also to the poor. His sympathy was with the
poor which he exemplified in material aids to
the poor of his adopted country-and to the
poor of his native land. His example in this
respect is worthy of all honor and praise
But, Mr.. President, i did not intend to
pronounce an eulogy on George Peabody,
except 80 far as to show that his memory is
being honored by the good and the great in
other lands a. well as our own, and that
he deserves them, but further the measure
taken by the Governor and Council are both
fitting and proper, and If this Honorable
Senate shall vote to recede and concur in
the order from the House and attend in a
body the ceremonies which are 10 take place
at Portland, when the remains Of George
Peabody shall be landed there, and taken from
thence to his native State. They will honor
themselye, quite much as they will honor
the memory of the man whose illustrious eX-
ample has so shown us the true use of riches
hope the Senate will recede and pass the
order of the House.
Mr.. CLEAvEs, made come explanations as to
the report. 1t was not signed by majority of
each committee and did not think it should be
accepted. The respect Of the State will be
saiiy shown by the action Of the Exec
utive and il wholly unnecessary for the leg
islature to attend in a body. We have re-