Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1876-01-13
Letter from Augusta.


II The .lDrrirm
II any one wishes to make au agreeable
break IN the muuotouy of winter lie h,.
should attend the organization Of the
state Government. There !, plenty OF
company and plenty of excitement. This
year the visitors have oyrrrun the hotels
until the parlor, and corridors are full OF
cots.
The canvass tor Legislative and State
officers, furnished, this year. ample mutcr-
al tor excitement, a. IN three 81 the state
Offices the customary term had been run.
Every candidate Lad hi, friends. who kept
busy interviewing members, aud cndray-
orlng to manufacture a favorable atmos-
phcre.
The visitor came In contact w,th people
~ extended his acquaintance.
The excitement Is all over now The
successful candidates have beea elected.
and the crowds OF visitors have dispersed.
The Government has organized, and is be-
ginning 10 move quietly on in its regular
path There are some remnants of forms
LEFT in the manner of organization. The
writer Glanced to be present in the Senate
Chamber, and saw the performance there
At precisely ten o'clock on Wednesday Mr.
Lane, the Secretary of last year, took an
ivory gavel and struck IL smart blow ON
the Secretary, desk, and called gentle
men to Older. lie then called the roll Of
members elect, who answered Is their
names were read. As quorum answered
to the call, message was sent to the Gov
ernor, announcing the presence of quo
run OF Senators ready to take the oath of
office. Soon after, the Messenger, who
acts as door-keeper, called out. Make
way for the Hon. Governor and Executive
Co uncil." l.aEe made three raps with the
savel, whereupon the members all rose.
while the Governor and Council. accom-
panied by all the state officers. entered III
long procession, and formed In a senii-cir-
Gle about the vacant chair OF the President.
With them were the Clerks, carrying the
oaths to be subscribed. The Governor
members To hold up their right hands. adj /
ministered TO them all at once the oaths 10 /
support the Constitution and TO faithfully
do their duty as Senators. The members
then subscribed the printed oaths as pre-
scented to them by the Clerks After this
was completed, the Governor came down
from the Chair, headed the procession, and
all marched out as they marched in The !
Secretary then gave one rap with the gay
ell, and the members resuTed their seats
The next step was the choice OF Presi- !
dent, and Hyde OF Sagadahoc, a soldier,
scholar, and gentleman, was the lucky (
man. He was conducted to the Chair BY
two Senators, designated by the Secretary.
Lane then passed the gavel to Hyde, who
took it and gave one rap on the Presidents
desk, thereby signiiying his assumption OF
the authority OF presiding officer, and
made very neat, graceful expression OF
his thanks for the honor.
The next step was the election of Secre-
tary, and y. w Lane, the very popular
and efficient Secretary of some six success
sive years. was reelected. He was sworn
ganized. The election of the subordinate
officers went on III the same way
About this time, the Message from the
House." and gentleman from the House.
appeared, aud marched half way up the
aisle. and said, MIR. President" The
President rose. and replied, The gentle
man from-." The member then said,
Il am charged with Message from the
House TO the Senate, informing the Senate
that the House has organized by the choice
OF Frederick Robbie of Gorhain, for Speak
er. and Oromandel Smith of Litchfeld for
Clerk" The member then bowed and
withdrew. while the President gravely re-
peated the message in full to the Senate,
as if the Senate had not already heard it,
The Senate, of course, sent similar mes
sages to the House, and to the Governor
These same things were done last year,
and OF course appear in full detail in the
printed journal OF last year. Accordingly
as member rose to make a motion. he
would hold the book in his hand and read
the motion OF last year Messages were
delivered in the same way. Tits seemed
rather funny, but it answered the purpose,
which was to get organized.
NAY be able to give you sundry items
bye and bye. T..