Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-01-02
The Governor and Council then retired.
IL HOUSE.

Messrs. Dana of Portland, Harrington of
Fryeburg, Dingley of Auburn, Taylor of
Biddeford Simpson of Searsport Spaulding
of Richmond, and Woodbury. of Houlton,
were appointed committee to receive, sort
and count the votes for Speaker of the House.
Having attended to that duty, Mr. DANA,
from the committee, reported:
Whole number of votes: $50
Necessary for choice, rs
Melvin 2. Frank, Sc
Joseph l.. Locke, ca
The report was read and accepted, and
Hon. Melvin p. Frank was declared duly
elected Speaker of the House of Representa-
tives for the current political year.
The SPEAKER was conducted to the chair
by Mr. LOCKE of Portland, and addressed the
House as follows:
! Gentlemen Of the House Of Representatives:
Permit me to extend to you my sincere
and heartfelt thanks for this expression of
your confidence, and for the high nonor YOU
have conferred upon me in calling me to pre-
side over your deliberations. 1t is not with
out hesitation. not without some distrust in
my own ability to acceptaby discharge its
delicate and responsible duties, that I accent
the position thus assigned me. But relving.
as ! believe | can. upon your hearty co-oper-
alton and kindly assistance, sincerely trust
that these duties may be discharged in a man.
ncr creditable to myself and accountable to
YOU
We have met as the Representatives of a
sovereign state, TO work together for the gen
eral good. There are grievances TO which we
must lend an attentive ear. There are wrongs,
undoubtedly. which we must labor to correct
The people, burdened and oppressed by taxa
ton. will look TO us for relief. To tighten
their burdens. and to see to it at the same
time. that the republic suffer no harm, is the
work of wise craftsmanship: but / believe
that the intelligence here assembled is not
wanting in this most important quality. If,
| therefore, we apply ourselves diligently and
wisely TO the work that is before us. we shall
at the close of our labors receive the plaudits
of an appreciative public, not because we
shall have rendered them any special or par
ficnlar service, but because we shall have so
falthfullv complied with their wishes. and so
well discharged the duties required of us.
Let Us never for moment be unmindful that
we are the representatives of the people. of
the common people, and perhaps more espe.
ciallv. and in more peculiar sense of the
humber and poorer classes. Wealth has its
influences combined wealth a mighty and
sometimes an almost irresistible power
Hence, when any measure affecting corpora
tons, or organized capital is proposed, these
various organizations are not wanting in the
attendance of able advocates, urging their re-
spective claims, and protesting az, inst action
that might be detrimental to their inter
ests. But the humber classes the poorer
classes, the valuable and important.
vet unorganzed laboring classes, have
seldom had their claims pressed bv elo-
quent and able advocates. except as such adj
vocates have been selected and asked to come
here through the silent language used at the
| ballot box. These classes have uttered their
voice. They have pleaded their cause, and
they have left the work to be done by us.
They send hither no lobbyists. they retain no
counsel TO plead their cause before us; they
have closed their lips until they speak again
in the silent language of the ballot.
Let us not, therefore, forget to plead their
cause; let us not turn deaf ear to their Pc
titions; let not their interests be forgotten nor
their wants be neglected. And. while capital
shall at all times receive the attention it de-
serves. let not these other interests be lost
sight of. Thus will the various industries OF
our State be promoted. capital receive its lust
protection. individual liberty be secured, and
labor attain its proper dignity and the people
of our good State will be blessed with happi.
ness. contentment and prosperity.
Such, gentlemen, is my sincere prayer, will
be the fruits of our united labors during the
present session.
OH Vi MT. TICkARD OF Bangor,
Messrs. Wallace of Belfast, STYLES of West.
brook, Dodge Of Bristol, Hanson of Lee,
Burbank Of New Vineyard, Kmball of Bath.
and Emery of Biddeford, were appointed q
committee 10 receive, sort and count the
votes for a Clerk.
Having attended to the duty assigned it,
the committee through Mr. Wallace reported
Whole number of votes, l47
Necessary for a choice, "A
Benjamin l.. Staples had 65
Oramandal Smith, GA
b. L. Staples, IS
The report was read and Mr. DICKEY OF
Fl. Kent, said it was evident to all tina,
the votes cast for B. L. Staples were in.
tended for Benz. l.. Staples. To save another
ballot, he moved that they be counted for
BENZ l.. Staples.
Mr.. MoULroN of Scarboro, opposed. TIC
save any trouble in the future, he moved
that another ballot be taken, and the House
so ordered.
The committee again proceeded to receive
votes, and subsequently reported:
Whole number of votes, 147
Necessary for a choice "A
Benz. l.. Staples, SO
Oramandel Smith, Ga
The report was accepted and Benz. T.
Staples was declared duly elected Clerk OF
the House for the current political wear.
On motion of Mr.. WOODBURY. of Houlton
the same committee was appointed to receive
sort and count the votes for an Assistant
: Clerk.
Mr.. WALLACE. from the committee, subse
quently reported
Whole number of votes l44
Necessary for a choice, 10
Wingate f. Gibbs, 81
Edwin c. Burleigh, GO
The report was accepted, and Wingate Il
declared duly elected Assistant Clerk for the
current'political year.
On motion of Mr.. Brown of Bangor,
Ordered, That Asa Atwood be Messenger
Jesse II. Cook be First Assistant Messenge,
of the House, and w. j. Smith be Folder OF
the House. and that the Speaker appoint
: Pages, and that there be no I'd Assistant Mes
senger of the House chosen.
: The Speaker thereupon appointed Edwin
Sullivan of Augusta. and Burt Andrews Of
T Cornish, Pages.
On motion of Mr.. PIcKARD Of Bangor,