Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1880-01-15
Augusta.


The kennebec journal OF Thursday
gives the following graphic description of
the scenes 10 the House OF Representatives
a. It's first session
IL would be useless tn attempt any de-
seriptiou OF the assembly. Every profrs-
sion was represented. The most promi-
pcnt men OF both parties were collect ed
there To see and hear what no man ever
heard or saw tn the halls OF our capitol. II
they have ever been witnessed 10 any other
capitol In the country. The couectures
were many a. to the probable action of the
Republicans anil nonG outside OF the mem
bcrs-elect could tell. The most probable
one was that they would absent them
selves. and what gave them some assur-
ance, was the dlstory manner In which
the Republican members assembled This
conjecture quickly lost Its strong appear
ancc when the Republicans took the seats
designated them, AMI was completely Dis
PEELED when the roll was called The Re
puhlIcans answered 10 their names in turn
As the roll call progressed the excitement
grew Intense and few let themselves even
surnise what would be the next seton OF
the LEADER,
Every eye was turned upon Hon. Eu-
gene Hale who was seated 10 the very
front row 10 the LEFT OF the speakers
chair. His party looked upon him as
their support. and every one there felt that
what could be done By man would he by
him HIS opponents looked upon him III
fear. for In their own ranks there vas no
one upon whom they could depend to cope
VITA This distinguished statesman in d.
bate; none OF them. provided the question
vas an equal one; and here their weak
ness was even more conspicuous because
he was supported by the right. For nearly
tour hours, sinGie-handed he fought the
cause OF his party and totally routed his
opponents. Major Dlckey and Perry OF
OF Camden, were as pigmies before the
sIedge-hamm.r blows OF his arguments.
backed A. he va. at every point hy IN.
constitution. law and the Judgment OF the
supreme court. Al times. leaving the law.
he would plead the cause OF the dl,fran-
ohised cities IN such an earnest. convinc-
Ing manner. a 10 compel the attendance
Of hi, most obstinate hearers
Bn, II was useless. The couspirators
had mapped out their line OF action and
logic and argument were lost They had
secured creature 10 act as clerk who If
he had made an effort 10 De more cor
lemptible Ia tie sight OF ms own party
even. he must OF necessity have failed.
No one action which he took In that posi-
ton could have been supported by any
parliamentary rule. His soc cfprt Ap-
pesred 10 be b. the power OF his position
TO force An organization OF the House.
At first MIR. Hale cndeavored 10 have
the member. from DISTINGUISHED cities rec
ognzed, bot In III" gTossest and mosl
insulting manner, without a show OF right,
the clerk drbarred him from this privi-
lege.
The hisses OF the listeners told him how
they regarded such an act rs the part Of a
mere bireling, and the rounds OF applause
that greeted Mr. Hale at every point,
showed that he carried the sympathy OF "A
large Majority with him. When al la.t he
found that The clerk would not listen
either TO law, Constitution or Justice:
when he disregarded all parliamentary
rules. then he moved au adjournment
This the clerk refused 10 submit. No one
could portray the intense excitement
which prevailed throughout the hall at
this ruling.
One man who attempted in the audience
TO uphold the measure skunk away before
the indignant looks and word. OF the .x-
cited crowd that surrounded him. The
most OF the members were upon their feet
ana many OF theU seeking TO be recog-
nized. But above the noise OF the multi
tude, the clamor OF the gavel and the
commands OF the clerk. rose the ringing
word. OF the orator, Does the clerk re-
fuse to put the question: Then | will put
the question myself" And he did. The
yes" which Numbered through the room
gave the clerk and his friends to under
stand that there was will at the back of
The word and that these men. though IN
willing 10 do anything hastily, were de
fpImluei tn do hinu IN IN
lice. The widest confusion prevailed
upon this, and the cheers which were
called for Mr.. Hale fairly made the arches
ring. As soon order was somewhat
restored the clerk called the yeas and nays
OF the previous question. but the seats of
all the Republicans, excepting Mr. Hale's
were vacant, and no response was heard.
Loud and long applause greeted the names
OF Sproul, Snow and Voter, to which
there was no reply,
The Governor was summoned, and again
Mr.. Hale appealed TO His Excelency in
so quiet calm and respectful tones AS to
compel reluctant attention But il va.
useless, and ex-Gov Garcelon. as the last
act Of his isnominious political life. recos-
nized and swore in a bogus Legislature
and an Illegal quorum. Mr.. Hale was
sworn 10 under protest that there was 10
quorum.
The officers We're then chosen and
against the election Of each one the Re.
publican leader entered his protest. JIG.
laioot was chosen as speaker, and Ia a
partisan speech, which was interrupted by
loud Kisses at its statement and cheers for
Hale. thanked ~ men for '.electng him to
the speakers chair" Talbot ATTEMPTED to
cope with Mr.. Hale. In parliamentary
rulings. but his feeble effort caused rdi-
Guile. He assumed the responsibility OF
acting without a quorum and in sarcasti
tones referred to the court for his author
ity.
Wingate Z. Gibbs was appointed clerk.
and for this Office he had done what one
man in ten thousand would not He had
sold his honor and the respect OF even his
own party for the paItry position Of clerk.
Amer the officers were appointed and
some other business transacted under pro-
test. Mr.. Hale again endeavored TO have
the disfranGhised cities recognized, and in
one of his grandest efforts OF the dav
showed the justice Of his request and the
grossness OF the measure to refer such a
matter TO partisan committee. In words
of highest praise he defended the acts Of
the supreme court. and showed the shame
fulness Of the attack made upon them by
his opponents. He was followed by Prof.
Young. who. In nearly the same ground.
ably supported the stand taken by Mr..
Hale They were both oyerruIet and the
House adjourned.
When the crowd poured forth from the
building. you could hear nothing but ang, '
nvAlaAafinna al . h. ,all~;....