Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-01-08

Robert z. Carr, Bowdoinham.
| SEVENTH Observation-Disclosures.
Ambrose II. Abbot, Augusta.
| Edmund L. Webb, Waterylle.
| EIGuru DisTRIcr-Somerset
| Isaac Palmer, North Arson.
| Sullivan Lothrop. St. Adams.
| NINTH DISTRICT -PIsCATAQuIs.
| James Foss, Abbot.
| TENTH DIsTRICr-PESoBsCor.
Charles Shaw, Dexter.
Joab w. Palmer, Bangor.
George Cutter. Midway.
John Morrison, Corinth.
| Eleventh DIsrnler- LINCOLN.
| Frederick Kent, Bremen.
| TWELFTH DIsTRIcT-KSoX.
| Moses Webster, Vinaihaven.
| THIRTEENTH Decentralization
James NJ. Coffin, Thorndike.
Enoch X. Boyle, Belfast
FOURTEENTH DIsTRIcT-HAN
Avery II. Whtnore, Verona.
| Lucillius \. Emery, Ellsworth.
FIFTEENTH DrsrRICr-WA sHINGToN.
Horace Harmon, Lubcc.
John H. Crandon, Columbia Falls.
SIXTEENTH Observation-Disclosures
John S. Arnold, Lyndon.
| On motion of Mr.. Amor OF kennebcc, that
| Senator was charged with message to the
| Governor and Council, informing them that
| quorum of Senators elect is present, ready to
take and subscribe the oaths required by the
| Constitution to qualify them to enter upon
the discharge OF their official duties.
| Mr.. Abbot subsequently, reported that he
| had delivered the message with which he was
| charged, and the Governor was pleased to re-
| ply that he would attend upon the Senators
| elect, forthwith, for the purpose of admins
| tering to them the necessary oaths.
Thereupon the Governor attended by the
| Council and Heads of Departments, came in,
| before whom the Senators elect took and sub
| scribed the oaths. The Governor and his at
| tendants then withdrew.
On motion of Mr.. PALMER, Messrs. Palmer
| of Somerset, Harmon of Washington, and
| Goold of Cumberland, were appointed com
mittee to receive, sort and count the votes for
President of the Senate.
Having attended to that duty the commit
tee reported as follows:
Whole number of votes is ~
Necessary to a choice, 10
JOHN +. BUTLER has %
The report was accepted, and Hon. JoHS
dent of the Senate for the current political
year.
Mr.. Butler was conducted to the chair by
Messrs. Burgess of Cumberland and Lothrop
of Somerset, and thereupon addressed the
Senate as follows:
SENATORS Il assume the duties of presiding
officer OF the Senate TO which Office you have elect
ed me, with full appreciation of the trust COM
mitted and al earnest purpose to discharge my
| Obligations and repay your confidence.
In the early experiment of our fathers to eStab-
lish Congress body, and for series OF years
thereafter, the Senate was regarded as little more
than body to counsel the President, and not as a
forum of debate. Great of large forensic pow
declined to be elected to the Senate, but sought
that more popular branch OF the Government, the
Housc OF Representatives, as more ample hciI 1or
rhetorical exercise. The states modelled their law
making body after that of the nation, and called IT
a Legislature, partaking OF the same powers and
with the same duties, modified TO their condition,
AS those of our national Congress Before many
years had elapsed, however, this secluslon van
ished; the Senate doors were thrown open to the
public, and as concession 10 the flghtiul lmpof-
lance and individuality OF the States IL not only re-
lained the influence and character which 1t possess
ed being to the executive but assumed its
constitutional position as co-equal branch OF the
national legislature.
The constitution by direct provision desgnates
the House as that branch to originate bills OF rev.
cnue aud TO have the sole power of impeachment;
and the Senate, that branch to have the supreme
power in the trial of impeachment-hghe than the
Executive or Judicial epartments-whosc decree
no power can reyiew;-the one the protector the
other the arbiter the one the Bar, the other the
Court coequal, but each greater than the other In
the exercise OF its own functions by constitutional
edct From the smallncss of its numbers, its larg-
| or constituency, and other obvious reasons, the
Senate must always he the consei yatiye and de-
Lucrative branch Of the Legislature. It's judicial
character must not be lost sight of in the discharge
OF its important duties concurrent with the House,
| but should remain to lend an influence to its de
| alterations as manltestly designed by eonstitu-
| tional implication. Each member being senator
of the State and not alone Of locality, in that
| character his duties VIII be discharged
The execution Of committed trusts bears with 1t
| obligations of honor as well as responsibility.
Happily for us the fundamental principles OF our
civil government were laid in wisdom, strength and
beauty. We are not called upon to experiment
with the liberties OF the people, present startling
| theories OF government, nor TO make innovations
under the vain dcluslon that they reforms II
is ours rather, to protect the earnings of industry
deveope the resources of the State and allow the
| largest personal freedom compatible with public
older; uniting into one beneicent whole the various
| and contendlng interests that are found in the
| minds and affairs of men, and make it serve the
| state. lie who would legislate for posterity must
respect his ancestors and they who well laid the
| foundations of our political structure and trans
mitted to US its blessings may well be admitted to
| our councils; since the wisdom of no age is Gdc-
| quate Tor all future ages.
| | am now ready to enter upon the discharge Of
| my duties.
| On motion of Mr. CARR, Messrs. Carr of
! Sagadahoc, Palmer of Penobscot and Dyer of
| Franklin, were appointed a committee to re-
| ceiye, sort and count the votes for Secretary
l
Having attended to that duty, the commit
tee reported as follows:
Whole number Of votes is 80
Necessary for choice l6
| Samuel w. Lane has 80
The report was accepted, and Samuel w.
Lane of Augusta, was declared duly elected
Secretary of the Senate for the current politi-
cal year.
Mr.. Lane signifcd his acceptance of the
office, and on motion Of Mr.. WEBB of Kenne-
bee, that Senator accompanied the Secretary
elect TO the Governor and Council 10 take and
subscribe the necessary oaths to qualify him
to enter upon the discharge of his Official du
tics, after which Mr.. Lane entered upon the
discharge of his official duties.
On motion of Mr. HARMON,
Messrs. Harmon of Washington. Hanson OF
York and Morrison of Penobscet, were ap
pointed committee 10 receive, sort and count
the votes for Assistant Secretary of the SEN
ate.
Having attended to that duty, the commit
tee reported as follows;
Whole number of votes is ~