The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1880-01-13

Mr.. Locke in a very able speech reviewed
the past action of the Governor and council,
entering into detail in regard to the counting
of votes and issuing of certificates, and object
ed to the reception of this report. once dur
ing his remarks he was called to order by Mr.
Barker of Aroostook, who thought the gentle.
man had no authority to recite. the action OF
the Executive Department in relation to mem
bers of the House, but the President ruled the
point of order not well taken.
At this point the hour for the joint conven-
ton had arrived and Mr.. Locke withheld fur
Their remarks for the present. alter Delng as
sured by the acting President that ne would pc
entitled to the floor on reaSSembllng. MI.
Lockes remarks were made under the form OF
questions one relating to the issuing OF certltl-
Gates to members of the House; the second re-
lating to members of the Senate.
First-Has the Governor and Council COM
piled with the provisions of the Constitution
and the statutes in issuing certificates to those
Representatives appearing By the returns to be
elected? He thought not
Seconds this Senate as now organized a
legal Senate? Upon this point he cited the
action of the State Treasurer who, in his OIL
cial capacity, has refused to make up the pay
of the members The action of the Governor
and Council in canvassing the returns for
Senators was cited and the questions brought
up from each county were touched upon He
believed this not to be a legal body, and pro-
tested against taking action in any unlawful
proceedings.
Mr.. Patten of Penobscot said he was not dis
posed to criticize the action of the Ex-Governor
and Council. He was not disposed to take
merely the word of the Senator from Cumber-
land for he had not looked at the returns for
Senators He was not fully informed as to his
own election further than what he knew from
his certificate. The late Governor was not tne
one of his choice, and he was not responsible
for his actions. He thought that this three
fourths of an hour speech was made Tor bum
combe and hoped it would be so considered
until proved to the contrary
Patten Of Penobscot thought this senate
should paw no attention to this lengthy debate.
Strickland of Aroostook was in favor OF adopt
ting the report.
II to /, and the report of the commltte was
adopted
In the House as the fusonists took their
seats many of their faces wore an anxious
look. Nearly every member was in his seat
when the Speakers gavel called them to order
at 10 o'clock. After the journal was read
most of the members gave themselves up to
reading the morning papers, and their atten-
ton was only diverted by message from the
Senate that Randall w. Ellis had been elected
President pro tenn. of that body. AS the an
nouncement seemed to be one generally ex-
pected it created no surprise and members re-
newed their reading of the newspapers until
another announcement came from the Senate
proposing Joint convention of both branches
to administer the oath of office to acting Gov
ernor James D. Lamson, to be enable him to
enter upon the discharge OF his official duties.
Mr. Dickey of Fort Kent moved that the
House concur in the Senate's proposition, and
it did, and the clerk was ordered to inform the
Senate to that effect
At II O'Clock the Senate came in and took
their seats in the House, with the exception
of the Republican members who remained
away Mr.. Ellis, President pro TEN. OF the
Senate, took the Speakers chair, and after
silence was restored announced the purpose OF
the convention.
At the instance of Mr.. Patten of Penobscot,
a committee of three were appointed to wait
on acting Governor Lamson and inform him
that the Legislature were in convention and
ready to administer to him the oathS required
by the Constitution to qualify him to enter up
on the discharge of his official duties. The
committee consisted of Patten, Hill of Exeter
and Dickey of Fort Kent. In few minutes
the committee reported that the acting Cover.
nor had replied that he would forthwith attend
upon the convention.
After brief delay acting Governor Lamson
came in, accompanied by Secretary of State
Cove, and also Messrs. Monroe, Brown and
Parker of Garcelons old Council, who claim
that they hold over and will act as advisory
Council to Lamson.
A deathike silence prevailed when Lamson
held up his right hand and took the oath OF
office The members of the convention all
stood up and remained on their feet.until the
farce was. over. 1t was precisely half-past
II o'clock when the oath was administered
After the oath was signed Secretary OF State
Cove then made the following proclamation:
There having occurred a vacancy in the Office
of Governor and James d. Lamson having
been duly elected President of the Senate, he
is by the Constitution bound to exercise the
office of Governor till another Governor Shall
be qualified And he having in the presence
of the two branches of tie Legislature taken |
and subscribed the oaths prescribed by the |
Constitution to qualify him to discharge his |
official duties, declare and make known to |
all persons in this state who are in the exer- |
else of any public trusts as well as all good |
citizens thereof, that James d. Lamson is |
Governor and commander in chief of the State |
of Maine, and that due obedience should be |
rendered to all his lawful acts and commands |
as such. God save the State of Maine.
The Governor and his suite then retired and |
went at once to the Executive chamber, and |
then the House adjourned until 10 O'Clock |
tomorrnyv forenOOn.