Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-01-02

The democrats and greenbackers met in
caucus at the Representatives Hall, Tuesday
evening, in conformity to the agreement made
at the forenoon conference. The hall was
crowded, many being prompted from curios-
ity to see the amalgamation
Maj. Dickey called to order, Immediately
after which Mr. Pickard of Bangor, called
attention to the crowded condition of the
hall. as well as to the intense heat and on
his motion an adjournment was had to the
Senate chamber The crowd swayed towards
that place, and soon the chamber was crowd
ed in every part. No improvement was per-
ceptible, and Mr.. Brown of Bangor, moved
that all persons except reporters be most re-
spectfully requested to Withdraw. It was
utterly impossible to vote under the cir
cumstances. and he hoped that all present
would at once see the necessity of giving the
members room.
The crowd didn't seem to break up, and
Mr. Boynton of Bangor, said it was quite I'M
usual for gentlemen to remain after they had
been requested to leave.
Mr.. Wilson of Thomaston, objected to pro-
ceeding until our rights are extended u.s. We
must have the usual courtesies or we will adj
iourn from here to a hall which we can CON
troll If scenes are to be repeated here rs in
Massachusetts, he wanted to know it. If YOU
are to resolve yourselves into a mob let il be
known. These remarks he would apply not
only to the opposition, but to greenbackers,
and democrats as well.
Mr.. Brown counselled moderation: he was
sure the gentlemen were Withdrawing. He
didn't think the crowd was disposed to make
any trouble at all or interrupt them. He was
even willing that the people should remain in
the galleries
At one time it looked as though even the
reporters would be compelled to withdraw
but they were kindly permitted to remain, and
are alive and well this morning.
BY and by all withdrew except the menu
bcr,. and the caucus at about 9 O'Clock, got
down to work
Scion Chase GRATED in the hall of the
House and that drew crowd.
committee was selected to receive, sort
and count votes for informal ballot for
Speaker Mr.. Mouton of Scarboro' with
drew his name. ballot was had with the
following result:
Whole number of votes, 70
Necessary for choice. 40
NJ. p. Frank had -
VIM. Dickey, Is
Afterwards Mr.. Frank was chosen candi-
date for Speaker by reclamation
As the OtHef OIncts were called, names
were presented of gentlemen to fill them
from various sections of the State A great
deal of time was spent in balloting, with
the following result:
The venerable David Dunn of Poland. who
in 1856 served Clerk of the House, was
nominated for Clerk. Afterwards. in calling
for another vote, he was defeated. and Frank
ingalls, Of Brewer chosen. No one appearing
to vouch for his qualifications, and the Office
of Clerk being deemed most important one
and exceedingly difficult to fill, another trial
was had. Maj. Dickey of Fort Kent, present
ed the name of Benjamin L. Staples of Ioul-
ton, and Mr.. Staples was nominated to the
place. Thus in the course of an hour, three
persons were chosen as candidates for the
same Office.
Wingate Z. Gibbs of Glenburn. was nomi-
mated as Assistant Clerk; Asa Atwood of
Buckfeld. Messenger; j. II. Cook of Jack
son, Assistant Messenger; w. j. Smith,
folder-the caucus deciding to dispense with
one Messenger.
The caucus, which was wearisome in the
extreme, dragged its slow length along until
fifteen minutes of midnight, and come very
near being turned into a watch meeting No
wonder that Brown, the old war horse of the
Penobscot made the remark, ''ff we can't
get any life into this caucus, by -, we had
better go home" What little life and method
there was in it was put there by the sharp and
frequent reminders of Hon. Edmund Wilson
of Thomaston.