Daily Kennebec journal., 1876-02-25
can safely say tha. if we are not a. brothers, we

can safely say that if we not as brothers, We
are certainly to-day warm friends to each other,
and that there man in this body who does not
view this parting hour with feelings very different
from what he supposed he would have when he
first took his seat within this Hail. We came here
with own business and our own thoughts press
ing upon our minds; with strong prejudces against
men, some Of whom we expected and did meet
here. We have been here long enough to have
the thoughts of our own business put in the back
ground, in the press of business that came fresh
upon us. We have been here long enough to have
those aspersions that thought might arise those
antagonisms that We felt towards men, those preiu-
dices which existed in the minds of many of us in
regard to other men, give place to feelings not only
Of kindness but of friendship to those very men
whom we expected to meet, at least not as friends,
If not as enemies.
Our session has been short but it has been full of
life and of vitality amongst the members. Our
proceedings have been characterized by kindness,
by cordially, one with another, by friendships and
by an intelligent regard to the business which we
have been called here to transact. And l think
may safely say that no man goes from this body
with the same feeling with which he came, but
that we have one for another warm and kindly
feeling.
/ Aud NAV saw further that for one, the mem
ories which will cluster round these few
weeks, will form of the brightest pictures on
memory's walls. And in the dark November days
that aie soon to come to me. as well as many 9TH
crs whom see around this Hall, when the gloom
0
our own fresides in contemplation of this picture
which our imaginatons will conjure up, of the
men. the faces, and the kindly hearts which we
have here met and which have been open to Us,
, memories OF cur associations viii come over us
with glow like a summer sun, displacing the
frosts of that same November, and adding
beauty and glory to the sere and decaying period
Of life. And in those dark days we shall feel
within us a warmth that will be generated by the
thoughts Of these few days which we have here
passed And think may safely say that l ex-
press the feeling of all this body, when give 20
the honorable gentleman who has presided over
our deliberations, great part OF the praise Tor all
the pleasure which we have here had during this
session. For one, certainly can never forget the
manner in which he has ever presided over our
deliberations. Better to me than all other quail
ties, he has that electric feeling of heart to heart
which to day is the feeling that must pledominate
in most all our breasts, and it will make me ever
hold our honored Speaker in esteem such even
the recollection of more than twenty years has not
brought out from my heart.
Although as boys we lived together, although
We were in the same college at the same time, and
although have ever respected the memory. the
recollection Of the days that We had in cur youth,
vet, have never felt the feeling which have felt
sitting here as we have and receiving the kindly
support, on all occasions, of the presiding officer
of this House. And, gentlemen. ! only offer the
sentiments of all our body when beg leave to lay
upon the table the following resolution, and ask
that it may be, at the proper time, 10y the CleI k,
presented to this House, and that the vote may be
taken upon it by standing:
Resolved, That fully apprecia,iDg the difficult
ties. perplexities and labor attt nding faithful
discharge of the duties of Speaker, we hereby
tender our thanks to the Hon. Frederick A. Robe,
for his careful attention to the varied requremen
of that position. the sound judgment displayed in
his decisions and the entire mparaity and kind
ly indulgence always mantle sed in his treatment
Of the members of this House. Applause.
Mr. ROBINSON Ct Lincoln said:
/ Mr. CLERK-It affords me great I,asure to
second the motion for the passage OF this resolu
ton offered by the gentleman from Portland. l
cannot allow this occasion to pass without some
expression Of gratitude for the very faithful and
impartial manner in which our Speaker has
presided over the deliberations of this body, dur
ing the session, which is now to close. Something
less than eight weeks ago, we came together,
nearly all strangers to each other. To-day we
separate as though We had been lifelong friends.
As one of the minority of this house, while
| have been in my seat, must say that politics has
has been so foreign to our deliberations that do
not know to which political party those who sit
nearest to me belong. Commencing with you,
Mr.. Speaker, and running down to him who oc-
cupies the humblest position here, no partzan
feeling has ever been shown. But, on the con-
trary, that courtesy and consideration of the
majority is too highly appreciated soon to be for
gotten. If. after the coming political contest Of
1875. the political standing OF the two great par
ties shall be reversed in the next legislature the
majority can no better distinguish themselves than
by remembering and following your example in
the many courtesies which the majority of this
house have extended to their opponents.
| That in this session, so short, so busy and so
i harmonious, we have been able to accomplish so
much, and, as l believe, perform our labors so
well, is due in great measure to the dignity, i'm
partisy and fsithfulness of our presiding officer,
, who, at every session without exception has been
found at his post. And feel that tonight l
bespeak the sentiment Of every member in wish
ing for him that success in life (no matter wha
vocation he may choose to follow, which has
crowned his efforts as Speaker of this house dur
ing its 55th session.
1t i'll becomes me to speak of the merit of our
work here; it is enough to believe and know that
we have all had at heart the welfare and best
interests Of our noble State. This is my first
experience as legislator, and | esteem myself ex
ceedingly fortunate in having been placed upon q
committee made up of young men of energy and
rare ability, courteous and accommodating; aud
| upon casting around among members, l find
that each one invariably believes that his COM
mittee is made up of the cream of the house
This only proves that the people were exceedingly
fortunate IN the selection of their representatives
in choosing men worthy of this high and honor
| able position.
As we look over our numbers tonight, to see if
we are all here before part, never all to meet
again, find that death with its icy hand has tax
en- two of our number away, one before he was
able to meet with us, the other at the eve of the
session. This should remind us that the day will
soon come when we too must bid adieu to all that
is near and dear to us here and prepare ourselves
for that untred future To us the winter of rs
and 16 is resting place in the journey of life AS
the traveller sits down to rest the mountain side
beneath the shade Of some stately tree. so we in
the pleasant associations, the acquaintance, and
friendships here formed never to be broken, have
found season of labor and of rest-rest from the
care and xiety Of business life; and we shall
forget many, many other occasions and associa-
tons ere we forget this. Wherever our paths in
life may lead, we shall ever look back to this win
ter with pride and much pleasure.
Mr.. FRANK of Portland said:
Mr.. CLERK: hardly know how to express my
sentiments on this occasion. Coming here as
did but short time ago, young, inexperienced
and somewhat diflident. am happy to say that l
received a warm welcome from the presiding Off |
Ger of this House. And l wish to say that his
courtesy and kindness extended toward me irdi-
vidually as towards all the other members of the
House, has gone far toward whatever success
may have had in the deliberations Of this House.
And for this feel that cannot too warmly cx-
press my thanks and my gratitude. And as a
member of the minority Of this House, permit me
to say that am under the greatest obligations to
those in the majority for the kindness and the