Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-01-06
In Convention of Representatives Elect.

AUGUSTA Jan. 3, 1870.
This being the day assigned by the Consti-
tuition of Maine for the converting of its Leg
isIsture, the members elect of the House OF
| Representatives assembled in their hall at IL
o'clock A. NJ, and were called to order by
S J. Chadbourne. Clerk of the House for
1863.
PRAYER was then offered by the Rev. Mr..
BINGHAM of Augusta.
A communication was received from the
Secretary of State transmitting roll contain
ing the names of members elect in compli-
ance with an act of the Legislature OF 1863,
to facilitate the organization Of the House
The Clerk proceeded to call the roll,
and more than a quorum was ascertained to
| be present.
Mr.. DIcKEY of Fort Kent, was charged with
n message to the Governor informing him that
quorum of the members elect of the House
of REPRESENTATIVES,, had assembled in the Rep
resentatives Hall, and requesting his attend
| ance to administer to them the oatls required
by the Constitution to qualify them to enter
upon the discharge of their official duties.
Mr.. Dickey subsequently reported that he
had discharged the duty assigned him, and the
Governor was pleased to say that he would
| forthwith attend the convention for the pur-
pose desired.
Thereupon the Governor attended by the
| Council. came in and administered to the
members elect, and they subscribed the oath
REQUIRED by the Constitution to qualify them
to enter upon the discharge of their official
duties.
The Governor and Council then withdrew.
IN HOUSE.
On motion of Mr.. BRADFORD of Passport,
Messrs Bradford of Eastport, Hartman OF
D,,.l 'Vritf M
Portland Blake of Auburn, Dunning of Ban
COR and Spaulding of Richmond, were APP
pointed Il committee to receive, sort and count
the votes for Speaker of the House.
Having attended to that duty, Mr.. Brad
ford the Chairman of the committee, reported
as follows:
Whole number of votes, liO
Necessary for choice, IL
Reuben Foster had ll3
William Dickey y
The report was read and accepted, and
REUBEN FOSTER of Wateryille, declared duly
elected Speaker of the House of Representa-
tives for the current political year.
Mr.. Foster was conducted to the Chair by
Mr. Dickey, and addressed the House as fol-
lows:
Gentlemen of the House Of Representatives. -
| thank you kindly for this honor. But it
will not give rise to vanity on my part, for
regard myseifas your debtor, and in payment,
you shall have my most industrious and earn-
est efforts to perform the duties OF this office
faithfully, right, as my Judgment and con-
science shall give me to see the right, and
with all dispatch possible, consistent with due
performance.
| shall ever regard your will and strive to
give expression to it. You are aware, gentle
men, that this position involves the decision
of questions oftentimes difficult and delicate.
Without experience in presiding, | expect to
make mistakes, to commit errors. They shall
not be wanton. therefore ask your forbear-
ancc, your generous assistance, and coopera-
ton. With these, hope for success.
l hope, too, allow me to say, that avoiding
partizan feeling and party questions, we may
all. while providing for the interests Of our
constituents, look beyond to the general good,
aud in every proper and judicious way give
encouragement to the development of the
ample resources of this our loved State OF
Maine.
Gentlemen, / am now at your service.
On motion of Mr. BARTON, Messrs. Bar
ton of Benton, Folsom of Skowhegan,
Irish of Sherman, Brown of Oldtown. Bon
ney of Portland, Brown of Arson, and Ham
of Lewiston, were appointed committee to
receive, sort and count the votes for Clerk OF
the House.
Having attended to that duty, Mr.. Barton
from the committe, reported as follows;
Whole number of votes, III
Necessary to a choice, &C
S. j. Chadbourne had 104
William II. Anthony, "a
The report Was read and accepted, and S.
J. CuApBouRxE was declared duly elected
Clerk of the House for the current political
year.
On motion of Mr.. THOMPSON of Hallowell,
the same committee proceeded to receive,
sort and count the votes for Assistant Clerk.
The committee having attended to that
duty, reported as follows:
Whole number of votes, Ill
Necessary TO choice, sc
IL. A. Smith had Ill
The report was read and accepted, and T..
A. SMITH was declared duly elected Assist
ant Clerk of the House for the current politi-
cal year
A message was received from the Senate
through Mr.. Lang of Kennebec, informing
the House of the organization of that branch
by the election of Hon. William w. Bolster
as President, and Samuel w. Lane as Secre-
tary.
On motion of Mr.. BRADFoRD of Passport,
Ordered, That Charles f. Avery be Mes
htHHt's anu ID w amer anu lpdNiu - 14oii-
bard be Assistant Messengers.
Mr.. VosE of Winterport, was charged with
message to the Governor and Council in
forming that body of the organization of the
House, by the choice of Reuben Foster as
Speaker, and S. j. Chadbourne as Clerk.
Mr.. COUSINS of kennebunkport was
charged with similar message to the SEN
ate.
Subsequently both gentlemen reported that
they had discharged the duty assigned them.
Mr.. TwIrcHELL of Portland, was charged
with the duty Of conducting the Clerk and
Assistant Clerk to the Governor and Council
to take and subscribe the necessary oaths to
qualify them to enter upon the discharge of
their official duties.
Mr.. Twitchell subsequently reported that
he had discharged the duty assigned him.
Mr.. DIcKEY announced the attendance of
Mr.. Ray of Harrington, and that gentleman
was charged with the duty of conducting him
to the Governor and Council for the purpose
of subscribing to the necessary oath to enable
him to enter upon the official discharge of his
duties.
Mr.. DUNNING of Bangor, was charged with
the duty of conducting Harvey +. Clark to the
Governor and Council for the same purpose.
Subsequently both gentlemen reported that