Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-02-23
MAINE LEGISLATURE.
closing Proceedings Of the Senate.
THURSDAY EVENING, F.

II Il
Mr.. BRAGDoN presented the following
Resolved, Tnat the thanks Of the Senate be ten.
dered to Samuel W. Lane, ESQ., Secretary, and
Charles W. Illden, Assistant Secretary, for the
prompt and efficient manner in which they have
discharged their duties during this session.
The resolution was unanimously adopted.
The Secretary and Assistant Secretary each re-
sponded.
Mr.. WOODWARD presented the following
Resolved That the most cordial thanks of the
senate are due and are hereby rendered to Hon
Warren Ii. Ninton for the very able, courteous
and impartial manner in which he has discharged
he duties OF presiding officer of this body during
the session now about to close and that we shall
hold IN grateful remembrance the kindness and
gentemany bearing he has manifested in all his
intercourse with its members. officially and social
ly.
Mr.. WOODWARD then said
The time for the final adjournment of this Sen.
ate has arrived and soon the Flfty-seventh Leg
Islature of Maine will be numbered among the
things of the past. Its history is recorded, and
the people must decide upon the character of its
deliberations and its acts; whatever that verdict
may be, believe we all feel a consciousness that
IN all the deliberations of this body its members
have been governed by other motive than an
earnest desire to promote the best interests of the
State and the people. Humanity is fsible and
human wisdom may err, and whatever of error or
mistake time may disclose IN the deliberations and
conclusions OF this Senate, believe each and all
OF Its members have acted with upright motives
and intentions.
l am of the small minority, politically. com.
posing tas branch OF the Legislature, and know
| express the sentiments of them all when | say
that we are well pleased with the course you have
maintained towards us, in ignoring all party dis
tinctions and sinking all political differences.
The breaking up Of pleasant associations always
excltes emotions of sadness and although we
know-snd are happy in that know ledge-that
lear friends are waiting to receive US in our homes
yet we experience feelings of pain at parting with
the friends here found, and with whom we have
enjoyed cordial good fellowship, and for whom
We cnerlsh sincere esteem and good will. And as
we part now, in all human probability we shall
never again all meet eartn-the recurring of
another season will bring together some doubt
less many that are here now but never again will
all these be called together to occupy these seats
The changing nature OF all human affairs, the mu
tations of political combinations, will leave some
out A; death itself whose call none may resist NAV
claim some. May all our lives in the future be
governed by principles of honor and Justice that
we may all meet in better laod in the great here
after.
Mr.. NEALLEY said:
NJ. Secretary-w hatever may be the peoples
verdict on the action of this legislature, feel
sure the Senate deserves high credit for hard and
patient labor, and single devotion to the best
terests OF the State To me, at least the session
mas been OF the most pleasant character, as had
expected it to be, knowing | was to meet friends
whom had learned to esteem from intimate ssso-
citation III the other branch,-the Senator from
Cumberland (Nlr Davis), the Senator from Ken
nebec Mr.. Haynesl, the Senator from Knox the
Senator from Franklin, and especially the Senator
from Sagadahoc whom | had known well from
early boyhOod And among the pleasing coinci.
dences brought about by the whrligig of time,
have had as my nearest neighbor, my colleague
MIR. Phillips at whose side used to sit for four
years as classmates at old Bowdoin, some twenty
years ago. In those years used to read the name
OF our President as a member OF this board, where
he has served so many terms; and it is q pecu-
IN k. ~ Al.
peri of faithful service the Senate by placing
him, without opposition, 10 the Presidents chair
1t is time-honored chair. Mr.. Secretary, grown
reverend and venerable with the memory of the
long list OF It's occupants, whose lives for more
than half century have been interviewer WITH
the growth and history of the State-from the
historian, Gov. Williamson, through stately old
Gov. Dunlap, and Gov. Dana, and Governor, Sen
ttor aud Secretary morrill,, down to the gallant
soldier who fed it last year. 1t is our good for
tune to have added to this long line of those whom
the state has delighted to honor. name not un-
worthy of its distinguished predecessors.
MI HAYNES made brief and feeling remarks.
Mr. Woodwards resolution was unanimously
adopted, the vote being taken by rising.
PRESIDENT NINToN said:
SeHat0rs:-lt is well settled principle of par
liamentary law that every question capable of
division may be divided by any one So | NAV
he permitted to divide your resolution. And for
ali that portion of it, which personal to myself to
say that receive 1t in tue same generous spirit in
which 1t is offered. That it is honest sincere and
hearty, do not for moment doubt For such .
generous expression. to say thank you seems to
be yeiy tame Nevertheless, it is all | can say.
only perchance to add that | receive the same
with all due appreciation.
For all that portion of the resolution which
iers to the discharge of the duties of the Chair.
have to say that if those labors have been per-
formed with credit to myself, with satisfaction to
you, with profit to the State, it is due in q large
measure to that forbearanCe, to that kindly CO.
operation, to that constant and ready support on
your part, and on the part of each OF yoa, gen.
erous, SO charitable, so unremtting, valuable,
so that while you come to thank me, l in turn
come to thank you.
Standing now III the retrospect, most be per-
mitttd to say word concerning this egislature
and Its work. This is a legislature OF rare excel
lence, and Its chief and crowning glory is its
work. When assembled there those
who said that the legislature had very little to do,
that It would do that little and adjourn probably
in about -four weeks. There were some of us who
took little stock in these prophecies at the time;
none Of US take any therein now. Seldom fever in
the history of the State have many controyerted
matters been brought before the legislature. have
never known in all my experience and ooserva-
ton, which is certainly considerable, so many
questions come here which have been deemed Of
sufficient importance to bring with their own at
torneys. And this, let me say, is the true test of
the importance which the parties themselves at
tach to their various measures. So that we have
had during this session before the different con-
mittees, nearly all the leading lawyers of the
State, and some out OF tH State, aud the
judges, with perhaps single exception, either
IN person or by letter. Never-before have known
committees, sitting day and night to give so long
and so patient hearings to parties And the same
fidelity which has appeared in the comm ittee
room, in the preparation of matters of business
for legislation has continued in both branches
through all their various stages into law. And
confident that We may submit our work
10 that truest of all tests-tme, with the conf
dent assurance that 1t will well endure the test.
But our work is done. The curtain falls, and
we are IN the shadow of separation. The part
ing hour cannot be otherwise than sad. Good
bye, however intensely uttered however much of
invocation It may contain, however much OF hope,
is still in its best estate sad word. But here
again prisoners Of hope l speak for my
self. know that were 1t not for tue hope that
some where in the future | should again see your
faces, aud again take you by the friendly hand;
were il not, say, for this hope, which IS as an
anchor, could not now speak at all. So that
while we 60 in sadness, we will nevertheless goin
hope. And now. Senator'S wishing you safe
return to your families and friends, bid you
G ach and ALL an sffectionate farewell
The President declared the Senate adjourned
at IL. As A. NJ, Feb. 22nd.
Continued on Second Page.l