The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1874-01-08
FIFTY.THIRO LEGISLATURE.
Especial to Press.l
SENATE.

called to order by S. w. Lane, Secretary of the
Senate for 1873
A communication from the Secretary of
State was read announcing the names of the
members elect, and thirty were present.
On motion of Mr.. Abbott of Kennebec, that
gentleman was appointed committee to wait
upon the Governor and notify him that a quo
rum of the members was present and ready to
receive the prescribed oath. Thereupon the
Governor, attended by his Council, entered
and the members subscribed to the customary
oaths
On motion, Messrs Palmer of Somerset,
Harmon of Washington, and Goold of Cum
berand, were appointed committee to receive
sort and count votes for President of the Sem
ate.
The committee reported:
Whole number of votes, 30
Necessary for choice, Is
John E. Butler had 90
The report was accepted and Mr.. Butler was
conducted to the chair by Mr.. Burgess of Cum
berland and Mr.. Lothrop of Somerset, when he
addressed the Senate as follows:
Senators: ! assume the dntips of presiding
officer of the Senate, to which Office you have
elected me, with full appreciation of the trust
committed and an earnest purpose to discharge
my obligations and repay your confidence
In the early experiment of our fathers to es
tablish congressional body, and for series of
years thereafter, the Senate was regarded as
little more than body to counsel the Presi-
dent, and not as forum of debate. Great men
of large forensic powers declined tc be elected
to the Senate, but sought that more popular
branch of the Government, the House Of Rep
resentatives, as more ample field for rhetori-
cal exercise The States m0dalQd their law
making body after that of the nation, and
called it Legislature, partaking of the same
powers and with the same duties, modified to
their condition, as those of our National Con-
gress Before many years had elapsed, how
ever, this seclusion vanished the Senate doors
were thrown open to the public, and as con-
cession to the rightful Importance and individ-
uality of the States, it not only retained the
influence and character which it possessed as
being nearer to the Executive, but assumed its
constitutional position as a co-equal branch of
the National Legislature
The constitution, by direct provision, desg-
mates the House as that branch to originate
bills of revenue and to have the sole power of
impeachment; and the Senate as that branch to
have the supreme power in the trial of i'm
parchment, higher than the Executive or Ju-
| dicial departments, whose decree no power in
this government can review; the one the pro-
| iector, the other the arbiter: the one the Bar,
| the other the Court, co-equal but each greater
| tions, by constitutional edict.
From the smallness of its numbers its larger
| constituency and other obvious reasons, the
| Senate must always be the conservative and de-
| Lucrative branch eff the Legislature. Its judi
| cial character must not be lost sight of in the
| discharge of its important duties concurrent
with the Hou e, but should remain to lend an
influence to its dellberation, as manifestly de-
| signed by constitutional implication. Each
| member of the Senate being a Senator of the
| al nf a 1npn itU in tab1 r-
aracter his duties will be discharged.
The execution Of committed trusts bears
| with it obligations of honor as well as respon-
slbility. Happily for us the fundamental prin-
clples OF our civil government were laid in wis.
| dom, strength and beauty. We are not called
| upon to experiment with the liberties of the
people, present startling theories Of govern
| ment, nor to make innovations under the vain
| delusiOn that they are reforms. 1t is ours,
rather to pr >teet the earnings of industry, de-
velope the resources of the State. and allow the
largest personal freedom compatible with pub
| lie order; uniting thus into one benefcieni
whole the various and contending interests
| that are formed in the minds and affairs of mer
| ard make it serve the State. He VIII hwoud leg
islate for posterity must respect his ancestors
| and tn " who so well laid the foundations Of
| our political structure and transmitted to us its
blessings, may well be admitted to our counsels
since the wisdom OF age is sufficient for all flu
| ture ages. Senators: | am now ready to enter
After the conclusion of Mr. Butler remarks
S. w. Lane was elected Secretary, and G.. f
Danforth Assistant Secretary. James Fl. Banks
Messenger and B. T. Stevens Assistant Mes
senger.
Mr.. Palmer of Somerset, offered an orde
abolshilg the office of folder, but twas refus
ed passage.
The pay of folder was, on motion of Mr.
Webb, fixed at that of Senator (S15O) and H
V. Rutherford selected for the honor.
The usual notices of organization were sen
to the Governor and House.
The usual orders were passed inviting clergy
men to officiate a chaplains. for the printing o
diagrams and Senate register and copies of Ger
tain other books.
An order was passed requiring the Secretar
to fusnish. to each member one copy of the Dai
ly Kennebec Journal and copy of such of tn
daily papers as they may select.
The following Senators were appointed
committee on senatorial otes.-Messrs. Burgess
of Cumberland, Foster of Oxford, Palmer c
Perobscot. Whitmore of Hancock, Rounds o
Androscoggn, Hall of York, Kent of Lincoln
The following Senators were appointed on th
part of that body, on joint select committee: :
On the returns of votes for Governor, Messr'
Abbott of Kennebec, Dyer of Franklin, Ha
mon of Warrington, Holbrook of Cumberland
Carr of Sagadahoc, Foss of Piscataqus, an
Cutler of Penobscot Sent down for concu
renee. Adjourned.
| HOUSE.
Pursuant to the constitution and laws of I'll
State, the members of the House of Represent
atives elect, convened in the Representative
Hall, and were called to order by S. j. ChaC
bourne, Clerk of the House of 1873.
Prayer by the Rev. Mr.. Penney of August;