The Portland daily press., 1881-01-06
SIXTIETH LEGISLATURE.
Especial Despatch to the Press
SENATE.

Especial Despatch to the Press.l
SENATE. M
g AUGUSTA, Jan. 5.
The Senators-elect convened in the Senate
Chamber and were called to order by Gen.
Tilden, Secretary of the Senate last winter.
Prayer was offered by Rev. Dr.. Butler of
Hallowell.
The roll of Senators was called and 27 re-
sponded to their names.
The customary oaths were administered by
the Governor, attended by the Council and
heads of departments. si+
Hon. Joseph A. Locke of Cumberland was
chosen President, receiving q votes to s cast
for Hon. Joseph L. Smith of Penobscot
I Mr.. Locke was conducted to the chair by
Messrs. Berry of Kennebec and Smith of Pc
nobscot, and addressed the Senate as follows
Senators:-In accepting the position which
your kindness and partality ASST sns me, rec
ognize on the one hand the honor and ON the
other the responsibility which accompanies it,
For the former sincerely thank you, and
trust and believe your kind forbearance and
support will tighten the latter and make the
duties of the Chair pleasure rather than
burden. 2ii9l t-l ul
important session of the legislature. 1t is the
first session under the amendment to our state
constitution adopting biennial elections This
change will necessarily entail upon US large
amount of work.
The report of the Commissioners of Valua-
ton will soon be made, upon which, and the
doings of the legislature, depends the rate of
taxation for state purposes The people of the
state for the last few years have struggled un-
der heavy burden of taxation, not however
h0 vnNvr !, in, 9th Ctn nfac
They have felt that more relief ought to be
furnished, that the burden should be lightened
and that state expenditures and legislative ap-
preparations should be cut down to the lowest
figure consistent with the public interest To
DO this and at the same time see that the COM
monwealth suffers no harm, is the work of
wise Statesmanship. eAn to t4t
L Grave constitutional questions may arise at
once upon which no one should act hastily or
inconsistently, and from ithe well-known
reputation and high standing in their several
communities, and throughout the state, of the
Senators composing this branch of the legisla-
tive branch OF the government, no one can
doubt, but that such course of proceeding
will be decided upon,3 and such measures
adopted as shall be right, proper, just and le-
gal, and such as will stand the test Of the judi
cial crucible. 5f3la sifiii az G!ls ifatr0f tss..
Within the last few years several amend;
ments to our state constitution have been pre-
sented to the people The frequent tinkering
W Cuo CouStltutiOu ~ uQduueF Oh QOuDIlul OK
pediency The constitution is or should be but
the outlines or framework of political govern
nlents and as distinguished writer has said
should not be made to embrace within its iron
grasp those subjects, in regard to which the
policy OF interest OF the state, or Of its peop le
may vary from time to time, and that are
therefore more properly left to the control of
the legislature, which can more easily and
speedily make the required changes
B Again thanking you for the honor conferred
upon me, and promising you my best endeav-
I ors to perform the duties pertaining to the
Chair in an impartial manner, relying upon
your indulgence, and trusting that il in the
course of your deliberations, the Chair makes
an error in ruling, the Senators will kindly
pardon, the Chair is ready to attend to the
Il Gen. Charles W. 'Tilden of Hallowell was
chosen Secretary, and Geo. o. Minot Of Bel
grade, Assistant Secretary. .don9d esn91G
I Charles A. Lovejoy was chosen Messenger,
and T. E, Voter Assistant Messenger
6 The following communication was received
"'lo.S ls'.-lH STATE OF MAINE,
I oi II VALUATION COMMISSION
\ Augusta, Jan. 4, 1881. u
/ TO the President of the Senate and the Speaker
OF the, House of Representatives ;,ri-., -[,,,f
I The Commissioners appointed under re-
solve OF the legislature, approved February 12,
1880, to prepare full, just and equal yalua-
tlon OF the estates, and an enumeration of the
polls subject to be taxed as basis of taxation
Tor state purposes, submit the following report
in accordance with a requirement Of said re-
solve, viz: -af9ecfa rrell "a.
That preparation of said valuation and
enumeration has required more time andJlabor
than was anticipated by the commission, and
is not yet completed, but they have proceeded
SO far in their work that they will be able to
report finally at an early day. By order of the
Commission, S. T. Kinks, Chairman
|. On motion of Mr.. Berry of Kennebec it was
ordered that the returns Of votes for Governor
be referred to a joint select committee of
which the following were appointed on the
part of the Senate: D''-'
Knox, Dingley of Androscoggin, Hin of
Penobscot, Walker of Oxford Pattengall of
Washington and Clark of Lincoln. .a97.e ,l,rf
A communication was received from the
o Secretary of State transmitting returns of
vote for Governor, and the same was referred.
Z Rev. DR.. Butler of Hallowell was chosen
Chaplain. ~. ...t-..+ ,r.t...-,.......
The following were appointed the committee
on Senatorial vote: ~. --...'....
Messrs. Cornish of Kennebec, Lamson of
Sagadahoc, Beatty of York, Smith OF Peuob-
scot, Lord of Cumberland, Fernald of Frank
lin and Buxton of Somerset. 9 Il
Mr.. Emery of Hancock offered the follow
ing: -, ..-,g,e-.fse r. e..,-,l IS
Ordered, That the Superintendent of Public
buildings forthwith procure and place upon
the floor of the Senate chamber a new and
suitable carpet; and also procure and place in
the Senate chamber new and suitable chairs
for the use of the members h95ba sd ~ G5771
Mr.. Dudley of Aroostook moved to infinite
,ly postpone the order. 49, -ss55.f i'.,. y,
Mr.. Emery believed the chairs and carpet
were not in keeping with the appearance of
the Senate. 93 i''sA 'HA4.'i1A oiia .lia
. Mr.. Dudley did not think it was necessary
expenditure. 81 tIia- rallss Eli
10 Mr.. Hill of Hancock moved to amend so
that carpet only should be supplied.
"a Mr.. Dingley of Androscoggin favor ed the
passage of the order and it was passed. s
1t was ordered to hold one session daily
commencing at 10 o'clock a. m. 11e la,
:" a7aS' 'elge1 H HOUSE oIusE EElta.a ~ e55las 1896
The members elect of the House of Repre-
sentatives assembled in the hall of the House
this forenoon and were called to order by Ora
mandel Smith, Clerk of the last House. g
The certified roll of Representatives elect,
as furnished by the Secretary of State, was
called by the Clerk, and 144 members elect re-
ported to their names and quorum found to
be present. i l..fI gsdi 1t9 asHioo0r aij hst,lso
The necessary oaths were administered by
the Governor, attended by the Council. 7e ~,
Hon. L. 81. Hutchinson was elected Speaker
by vote Of Is. T. B. Swan, Esq, the Fusion
member from Minot receiyed az votas for