Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-01-07
In Convention of Representatives Elect.


In accordance with provision of the Consttu-
ton of the State of Maine, fixing the time for The
meeting of the lie sisature, the members elect
thereof appeared III their Hall to-day at 10 O'Clock
A. NJ, and were called to order by Sumner j.
Chadbourne, Clerk of the House of 1871.
PRAYER by the Rev. Dr. left OF Brewer.
The certified roll Of Representatives elect, fur
nished by the Secretary OF State, called by the
Clerk, and las responded 10 the call and quorum
found to he present.
On motion of Mr.. COBB, Messrs. Cobb OF Lew
iston, Wilson of Bangor, Pray of Naples, Reed of
Bath, Walden Of Portland, Snow of Hallowell and
Wade of Sangerviile were appointed to wait upon
the governor and inform him that quorum of
the members elect of the House of Representa-
tives had assembled in the Representatives Hall,
and request his presence to administer TO them
the oaths required by the Constitution to qualify
them to enter upon the discharge OF their official
duties.
Mr.. COBB subsequently reported that the COM
mi,tee had discharged that duty and the Governor
was Pleased to say that he would forthwith attend
the Convention for the purpose indicated by the
committee.
Thereupon the Governor attended by his couu-
Gil, came in and administered to the members elect
and they subscribed the oaths necessary to qualify
them to enter upon the discharge of their official
duties.
The Governor and Council then retired.
IN House.
On motion of Mr.. SNOW, Messrs. Snow OF Hal
lowell, Buck of Orand, Cobb of Lewiston, Went
worth Of kttery, Leavilt of PASSPORT, Cleaves OF
Portland and Judd of Presque Isle were appointed
a committee to receive, sort and count the votes
for Speaker of the House.
Having attended to the duty assigned them, Mr..
Snow from the committee repor ed as follows:
Whole number of votes Ill
Necessary for choice, -
William W. Thomas, Jr. has st
John c. Talbot S.
The report was accepted and Hon. William W.
Thomas, Jr., declared duly elected Speaker OF the
House Of Repre- .entatiyes tor the current political
year.
The Speaker was conducted to the chair BY Mr..
Talbot Of East Machias, and addressed the House
as follows
Gentlemen ofMe House Of Representatives..
Your vote conters on me high nonor. An cleo
ton is an experiment; reelection an endorse
ment, and for this reelection to the Speakershp
of the House Of Representatives OF Maine, ic
turn to you my profound and heartfelt thanks
We are met gentlemen, each the representative
of his own dist let; but in higher, nobler sense
each is the representative of our whole STATE Of
Maine. Let US then approach every question
which presents itself for our elaboration, with
spirit broad the State We represent; AMI
while frowning upon all schemes that would ben
eft one section by heapng undue burdens upon
any other let leg,lste for the best good of all
The most grievous burden now resting upon
the people Of our State, is taxation, consequent
debt. TUE ii is, the financial condition OF Maine
is sound true also tina. our taxation is less than
many of our sister states but these considerations
however gratifying to our state pride. make our
burden none the lighter. The debt Of the past VIC
cannot prevent; but the debt of the future is now
within our control A generous people have
elected us guardians ofthe treasury, and our duty
it is to rgidly scrutinize every measure which
demands dollar from the public purse, and
while avoiding parsimopy, to work and vote in ac-
cordance with the dictates of a wise economy.
Thus shall we use Alright the trust committed to
US; thus shall we do our part towards removing
the greatest obstacle hat lies in the pathway Of
the progress of our beloved Commonwealth
Gentleme II, | am now ready to proceed with the
business of the House.
On motion of Mr.. WENTWORTH, Messrs. Went
worth of Kit,ery, McGvery of Searsport, North
of Augusta, Randall Of Island Falls, Sturgis of
Auburn Talbot Of East Machlas, and HAYES of
Deerrg were appointed a committee TO receive,
sort and count the votes for clerk.
Having attended to that duty, Mr.. Wentworth
from the committee reported:
Whole number Of votes, III
Necessary for choice, IS
Sumner j. Chadbonrne, %
John g. Benson, %
The report was accepted and sumner j. Chad
bourne, Esq, was declared duly elected Clerk of
the House Tor the current political year.
On motion of Mr. WILSON, Messrs. Wilson Of
Bangor, Davis Of Portland, Powers of 1iouton,
Fernald of Wilton, Mitchell of Gardiner Little of
Brunswick and Treat Of v interpret were appoint
ed committee to receive, SOFT and ceunt the votes
for Assistant Clerk.
The committee reported
Whole number of votes l31
Necessary for choice 60
Oramandel Smith has 81
Charles H. Morton 80
The report was accepted and oramardel Smith
declared duly elected Assistant Clerk.
On motion of Mr.. KEEGAN of Van Buren,, that
gentleman was directed to conduct the Clerk and
Assistant Clerk TO the Governor to take and sub
scribe the necessary oatbs TO qualify them TO enter
upon the discharge of their official duties.
Mr.. Keegan subsequently reported that he had
discharge ed the duty assigned HIM.
Thereupon the Clerk and Assistant Clerk ap
peared and entered upon the discharge of their Of
fetal duties.
Mr. GLE Of Alfred offered the following:
Ordered, That j. b. Walker be Messenger, j.
r. Prescott, Assistant Messenger Charles III.
Getche second Assistant Messenger Charles H.
Day, Folder.
Mr.. TALBOT of East Machias moved that the
order be amended by striking out all that relates
to the Office of Folder. lie did not consider the
office necessary.
Mr.. NORTH of Augusta opposed the adoption of
the amendment
Messrs Wilson of Bangor, and Lyman OF Ma
ahias favored the abolition of the olice,